Otto Lopez to represent Canada in 2026 World Baseball Classic

[Kevin Barral]

MIAMI, FL—Many Marlins players are expected to compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. On Tuesday, Otto Lopez became the first to confirm his participation. It will be Lopez's second time playing for Canada, having previously done so in 2023.

"It means a lot," Lopez said in Spanish, expressed his gratitude to both the Canadian baseball team and the Miami Marlins. "This is a team that since the beginning have treated me extremely well and have given me an opportunity to play in Major League Baseball, and that means a lot to me. I feel super honored to represent the Marlins, but Canada as well."

Lopez, 26, was born in the Dominican Republic, but moved to Montreal at age 12 when his father relocated there for work. He spent four years of his childhood north of the border, then returned to the DR to pursue a professional baseball career.

In the last WBC, Canada was eliminated during pool play. USA and Mexico advanced from Pool C instead. In four games, Lopez slashed .294/.333/.588/.921 with one home run and six RBI.

"I felt great, the vibes were great and I am extremely excited to return once again," said Lopez. "This is a team that has given me an opportunity and I feel very proud to be representing them."

Back in 2023, Lopez had only nine games of major league experience as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays traded him to the San Francisco Giants in February 2024, then the Marlins claimed him off waivers in April of that year.

This season with Miami, Lopez is slashing .260/.331/.392/.723 with eight home runs, 40 RBI and a 99 OPS+. He is currently riding a ten-game hit streak and has driven a run in seven straight games. In addition to enjoying a career year offensively, he has taken over as the club's starting shortstop, where he has provided above-average defense at a premium position (2 OAA and 2 DRS in 36 games).

Canada is part of Pool A, which will be hosted in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The other countries in their pool are Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama and Colombia. The games will take place from March 6-11.

"These are other teams that really like to compete," said Lopez. "That is going to motivate us a lot. We are going to go in there and give it our all and I am sure the other teams will have the same mentality. Especially playing in a different country, it'll be something new for me as well."

There are two other Canadian players on the Marlins roster: catcher Liam Hicks and starting pitcher Cal Quantrill. Quantrill was teammates with Lopez during the 2023 tournament.

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