Pujols Boldly Claims: 2026 Classic Dominican Lineup is Historically Strongest

Throughout the 20-year history of the World Baseball Classic, the Dominican Republic has fielded numerous star-studded batting orders.

In the inaugural 2006 Classic, that Dominican team featured two Hall of Famers (Adrián Beltré and David Ortiz), another future Cooperstown-bound slugger (Albert Pujols), and a host of All-Stars (Miguel Tejada, Alfonso Soriano, José Reyes, and Moises Alou), leading the squad to the semifinals.

"Our lineup back then was pretty good," said Pujols, managing the Dominican team for the first time this year. "But I believe the 2026 roster could be the strongest in Dominican history."

Judging by the lineup Pujols deployed in two exhibition games this week, it's hard to argue. The position players on the Dominican roster have a combined 28 All-Star selections and 19 Silver Slugger Awards. Nearly every starter is accustomed to batting in the top three spots, but in this current "murderer's row," someone has to hit seventh, eighth, and ninth.

"As a manager, it's a good problem to have," Pujols said. "This is a dream team."

Consider this: Last season, Julio Rodríguez of the Mariners achieved a 30-homer, 30-steal season, batting first, second, or third in all 160 games he started. Yet, in the Dominican Republic's two exhibition games against the Tigers, Rodríguez batted seventh.

"There's no ego in the clubhouse. Everyone knows where they can hit," Pujols stated. "Ultimately, it's about representing the Dominican Republic and the jersey on their chest, not the name on their back."

If Pujols sticks with the lineup used against the Tigers, we'll see Fernando Tatis Jr., Ketel Marte, Juan Soto, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. occupying the top four spots. Manny Machado, who batted third in 150 of his 159 games for the Padres last season, will hit fifth, followed by Junior Caminero, who blasted 45 home runs for the Rays in 2025. The lineup will be rounded out by Rodríguez, Agustín Ramírez, and Geraldo Perdomo.

"Thank God I'm on this side," said Cristopher Sánchez, who is scheduled to start the Dominican Republic's opener against Nicaragua tomorrow.

"Everyone dreams of having a lineup like this," Pujols remarked. "Having firepower from top to bottom gives me flexibility to make adjustments. I'm very excited about the lineup we'll put out there tomorrow and hopefully for the entire tournament."

Tatis agrees with Pujols's assessment of this year's squad, even though the "historically strongest" label brings added pressure to the players on the field.

"I feel like it's even harder for us because all the expectations are there," Tatis said. "It's definitely an All-Star team, but there's a job to do. The expectations are high, and we're looking forward to embracing that challenge."

With so much talent to choose from when assembling the roster, Dominican General Manager Nelson Cruz—a veteran of four Classics himself, including the 2013 team that went 8-0 to win the Dominican Republic's sole Classic title—sought not only the best talent but also players adaptable to various roles.

"We need versatile players," Cruz explained. "The primary message, and what we made clear to the players, is their role and how we plan to use them. That message is very clear; we want the players to perform, and we've built a team where, regardless of the situation, Pujols can freely maximize each player's potential in any scenario."

Pujols hopes his historic judgment about this year's Dominican team is correct, but to prove it, they must emerge as the last team standing.

"The best lineup was the one that won in 2013," Pujols concluded. "If we win this Classic, then they'll say we had the best lineup."