Plenty has been written and discussed when it comes to the World Baseball Classic rosters, but what about those in the dugout making the decisions? Let’s take a look at the respective coaching staffs for each country in this year’s WBC tournament, but only in terms of what their respective playing careers entailed in MLB:
Australia
Manager Dave Nilsson: .284/.356/.461 (110 OPS+) in 3153 PA over 8 seasons, 157 2B, 105 HR, 470 RBI, 10.6 bWAR, 1 All-Star appearance
Bench coach Michael Collins: Never played above Triple-A.
Hitting coach Chris Adamson: Only played in the ABL.
Pitching coach Jim Bennett: Only pitched in indy ball; has been coaching in the minor leagues since 1992.
First base coach Shayne Watson: Only played in the ABL.
Third base coach Andrew Graham: Never played above Triple-A.
Bullpen coach Graeme Lloyd: 4.04 ERA (115 ERA+) in 533.0 IP over 10 seasons, 304 SO (5.1 K/9, 13.3 K%), 161 BB (2.7 BB/9, 7.0 BB%), 5.3 bWAR
Total bWAR: 15.9
Brazil
Manager Yuichi Matsumoto: Played in the NPB.
Bench coach Thiago Caldeira: Never pitched outside of Brazil aside from during the 2005 WBC.
Hitting coach Paulo Orlando: .263/.289/.384 (80 OPS+) in 918 PA over three seasons, 44 2B, 10 3B, 14 HR, 81 RBI, 18 RBI, 1.7 bWAR
Pitching coach André Rienzo: 5.90 ERA (67 ERA+) in 140.1 IP over three seasons, 104 SO (6.7 K/9, 16.0 K%), 74 BB (4.7 BB/9, 11.4 BB%), -1.6 bWAR
First base coach Marcos Guimaraes: Never played outside of Brazil aside from during the 2005 WBC and 2008 Olympics.
Third base coach Reinaldo Sato: Never played outside of Brazil aside from during the 2013 WBC and 2016 WBC qualifiers.
Bullpen coach Keiber Ojima: Pitched two seasons in the CPBL.
Total bWAR: 0.1
Canada
Manager Ernie Whitt: .249/.324/.410 (99 OPS+) in 4271 PA over 15 seasons, 176 2B, 134 HR, 518 RBI, 18.3 bWAR, 1 All-Star appearance
Bench coach Greg Hamilton: None. Hamilton pitched in college at Princeton and has spent the last three decades working with the Canadian National Team’s pitchers.
Hitting coach Justin Morneau: .281/.348/.481 (120 OPS+) in 6392 PA over 14 seasons, 349 2B, 247 HR, 985 RBI, 27.0 bWAR, MVP (2006), 2 Silver Slugger Awards, 4 All-Star appearances (plus a HR Derby title)
Pitching coach Paul Quantrill: 3.83 ERA (118 ERA+) in 1255.2 IP over 14 seasons, 725 SO (5.2 K/9, 13.4 K%), 336 BB (2.4 BB/9, 6.2 BB%), 18.1 bWAR, 1 All-Star appearance
First base coach Russell Martin: .248/.349/.397 (101 OPS+) in 6648 PA over 14 seasons, 255 2B, 191 HR, 771 RBI, 101 SB, 38.6 bWAR, a Silver Slugger Award, a Gold Glove, 4 All-Star appearances
Third base coach Stubby Clapp: .200/.231/.280 (32 OPS+) in 26 PA in one season, 2 2B, 1 RBI, -0.1 bWAR
Bullpen coach Denis Boucher: 5.42 ERA (77 ERA+) in 146.0 IP over 4 seasons, 77 SO (4.7 K/9, 11.9 K%), 54 BB (3.3 BB/9, 8.3 BB%), -0.3 bWAR
Total bWAR: 101.6
Chinese Taipei
Manager Hao-Ju Tseng: Played 10 seasons in the CPBL.
Bench coach Cheng-Min Peng: Played 19 seasons in the CPBL.
Hitting coach: None listed
Pitching coach Yueh-Ping Lin: Played 13 seasons in the CPBL
First base coach Chien-Ming Chang: Played 15 seasons in the CPBL.
Third base coach Chiang-Ho Chen: Played 13 seasons in the CPBL.
Bullpen coach Chien-Ming Wang: 4.36 ERA (101 ERA+) in 845.2 IP over nine seasons, 394 SO (4.2 K/9, 11.0 K%), 252 BB (2.7 BB/9, 7.0 BB%), 12.8 bWAR
Total bWAR: 12.8
Columbia
Manager Jose Mosquera: Never played above Rookie Level.
Bench coach Jhonatan Solano: .184/.222/.301 (42 OPS+) in 108 PA over three seasons, 6 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, -0.5 bWAR
Hitting coach Jair Fernandez: Never played above Triple-A.
Pitching coach Dayan Díaz: 9.15 ERA (47 ERA+) in 19.2 IP over two seasons, 23 SO (10.5 K/9, 24.5 K%), 11 BB (5.0 BB/9, 11.7 BB%), -0.9 bWAR
First base coach Jaime Del Valle: Never played above Rookie Level.
Third base coach Ronald Ramirez: Never played above Rookie Level.
Bullpen coach Erick Julio: Never played above High-A.
Total bWAR: -1.3
Cuba
Manager German Mesa: Played 14 seasons in Cuba.
Bench coach Noelvis Gonzalez: Managed in Cuba for four seasons.
Hitting coach Omar Linares: Played 19 seasons in Cuba, batting .367/.503/.632 for his career.
Pitching coach Pedro Luis Lazo: Pitched for 21 seasons in Cuba, winning 201 games with a 2.48 ERA. Lazo is considered one of the greatest pitchers in the Cuban National League. He was among those denied a visa to enter the US.
First base coach Cecilio Drake: Coaches in Cuba.
Third base coach Rafael Munoz: Coaches in Cuba.
Bullpen coach Jesus Bosmenier: Played 10 seasons in Cuba.
Total bWAR: None
Czechia
Manager Pavel Chadim: Played almost 20 seasons in the Czech Extraliga; has managed the national team since 2021.
Bench coach Petr Zyma: Played in college at SW Oklahoma State and for the nation’s 2016 and 2023 WBC teams.
Hitting coach Alex Derhak: Only played in independent leagues.
Pitching coach John Hussey: Never played above High-A.
First base coach David Neveril: Played in the Extraliga.
Third base coach Petr Stribrcky: Played in the Extraliga.
Bullpen coach: None listed
Total bWAR: None
Dominican Republic
Manager Albert Pujols: .296/.374/.544 (145 OPS+) in 13041 PA over 22 seasons, 686 2B, 703 HR, 2218 RBI, 101.3 bWAR, Rookie of the Year (2001), three-time MVP (2005, 2008, 2009), 6 Silver Slugger Awards, 2 Gold Glove Awards, 11 All-Star appearances
Bench coach Placido Polanco: .297/.343/.397 (95 OPS+) in 7887 PA over 16 seasons, 348 2B, 104 HR, 723 RBI, 41.9 bWAR, a Silver Slugger Award, 3 Gold Glove Awards, 2 All-Star appearances
Hitting coach Rene Rojas: Minor league coaching experience.
Pitching coach Wellington Cepeda: Never played above High-A.
First base coach Julio Borbon: .273/.318/.347 (76 OPS+) in 878 PA over five seasons, 19 2B, 8 HR, 76 RBI, 47 SB, 1.7 bWAR
Third base coach Carlos Febles: .250/.328/.354 (75 OPS+) in 1892 PA over six seasons, 65 2B, 18 3B, 24 HR, 146 RBI, 68 SB, 3.5 bWAR
Bullpen coach Jose Cano: 5.09 ERA (68 ERA+) in 23.0 IP in one season, 8 SO, 7 BB, -0.2 bWAR
Total bWAR: 148.2
Great Britain
Manager Brad Marcelino: Spent several seasons coaching and managing in college and the minor leagues.
Bench coach Conor Brooks: Never played above Double-A.
Hitting coach Dillon Lawson: Minor league coaching experience.
Pitching coach Barry Enright: 5.57 ERA (75 ERA+) in 148.2 IP over four seasons, 76 SO (4.6 K/9), 52 BB (3.1 BB/9), -0.4 bWAR
First base coach Matt Talarico: Minor league coaching experience.
Third base coach Jeff Salazar: .232/.335/.349 (74 OPS+) in 348 PA over four seasons, 15 2B, 4 HR, 31 RBI, -0.2 bWAR
Bullpen coach Zach Graefser: Collegiate coaching experience.
Total bWAR: -0.6
Israel
Manager Brad Ausmus: .251/.325/.344 (75 OPS+) in 7102 PA over 18 seasons, 270 2B, 80 HR, 607 RBI, 102 SB, 16.5 bWAR, 3 Gold Glove Awards, 1 All-Star appearance
Bench coach Kevin Youkilis: .281/.382/.478 (124 OPS+) in 4436 PA over 10 seasons, 254 2B, 150 HR, 618 RBI, 32.4 bWAR, a Gold Glove Award, 3 All-Star appearances
Hitting coach Blake Gailan: Never played above Triple-A.
Pitching coach Brad Goldberg: 8.25 ERA (54 ERA+) in 12.0 IP in one season, 3 SO, 14 BB, -0.3 bWAR
First base coach Jason Bell: Coaching experience in the minors.
Third base coach Mark Loretta: .295/.360/.395 (98 OPS+) in 6558 PA over 15 seasons, 309 2B, 76 HR, 629 RBI, 19.3 bWAR, a Silver Slugger Award, 2 All-Star appearances
Bullpen coach Jason Marquis: 4.61 ERA (93 ERA+) in 1968.1 IP over 15 seasons, 1174 SO (5.4 K/9), 769 BB (3.5 BB/9), 4.3 bWAR, a Silver Slugger Award, 1 All-Star appearance
Total bWAR: 72.2
Italy
Manager Francisco Cervelli: .268/.358/.382 (101 OPS+) in 2618 PA over 13 seasons, 102 2B, 41 HR, 275 RBI, 14.1 bWAR
Bench coach Ron Wotus: .207/.277/.310 (65 OPS+) in 67 PA over two seasons, 6 2B, 2 RBI, 1.0 bWAR
Hitting coach Frank Menechino: .240/.358/.383 (96 OPS+) in 1510 PA over seven seasons, 58 2B, 36 HR, 149 RBI, 5.4 bWAR
Asst. hitting coach Jorge Posada: .273/.374/.474 (121 OPS+) in 7150 PA over 17 seasons, 379 2B, 275 HR, 1065 RBI, 42.7 bWAR, 5 Silver Slugger Awards, 5 All-Star appearances
Pitching coach Dave Righetti: 3.46 ERA (114 ERA+) in 1403.2 IP over 16 seasons, 1112 SO (7.1 K/9, 18.6 K%), 591 BB (3.8 BB/9, 9.9 BB%), 21.3 bWAR, Rookie of the Year (1981), 2 All-Star appearances
First base coach Allan Baird: Former Royals GM & long-time front office executive.
Third base coach Lipso Nava: Never played above Triple-A.
Bullpen coach Sal Fasano: .221/.295/.392 (76 OPS+) in 1245 PA over 11 seasons, 49 2B, 47 HR, 140 RBI, 1.8 bWAR
Total bWAR: 86.3
Japan
Manager Hirokazu Ibata: Played 17 seasons in the NPB.
Bench coach Makoto Kaneko: Played 20 seasons in the NPB.
Hitting coach: None listed
Pitching coach Atsushi Nohmi: Played 18 seasons in the NPB.
First base coach Yoshiyuki Kamei: Played 17 seasons in the NPB.
Third base coach Eishin Soyogi: Played 12 seasons in the NPB.
Bullpen coach Yoshinori Murata: Played 13 seasons in the NPB.
Total bWAR: None
Korea
Manager Ji-Hyun Ryu: Played 11 seasons in the KBO.
Bench coach In Kwon Kang: Played 12 seasons in the KBO.
Hitting coach Jin Young Lee: Played 9 seasons in the KBO.
Pitching coach Kwang Sam Kim: Played 11 seasons in the KBO.
First base coach Dong Wook Lee: Played 6 seasons in the KBO.
Third base coach Jae Gui Kim: Played 13 seasons in the KBO.
Bullpen coach Taek Hyun Ryu: Played 20 seasons in the KBO.
Total bWAR: None
Mexico
Manager Benji Gil: .237/.283/.358 (65 OPS+) in 1767 PA over 8 seasons, 75 2B, 32 HR, 171 RBI, 2.8 bWAR
Bench coach Vinny Castilla: .276/.321/.426 (95 OPS+) in 7384 PA in 16 seasons, 349 2B, 320 HR, 1105 RBI, 19.4 bWAR, 3 Silver Slugger Awards, 2 All-Star appearances
Hitting coach Jacob Cruz: .241/.331/.377 (84 OPS+) in 842 PA over 9 seasons, 38 2B, 19 HR, 105 RBI, 0.3 bWAR
Pitching coach Elmer Dessens: 4.44 ERA (101 ERA+) in 1174.1 IP over 14 seasons, 693 SO (5.3 K/9), 348 BB (2.7 BB/9), 11.3 bWAR
First base coach Gil Velazquez: .233/.250/.247 (35 OPS+) in 76 PA over 5 seasons, 1 2B, 4 RBI, -0.3 bWAR
Third base coach Tony Perezchica: .228/.295/.317 (74 OPS+) in 114 PA over 4 seasons, 7 2B, 5 RBI, -0.4 bWAR
Bullpen coach Manny Del Campo: Played five seasons in Mexico.
Total bWAR: 33.1
Netherlands
Manager Andruw Jones: .254/.337/.486 (111 OPS+) in 8664 PA over 17 seasons, 383 2B, 434 HR, 1289 RBI, 152 RBI, 62.7 bWAR, a Silver Slugger Award, 10 Gold Glove Awards, 5 All-Star appearances
Bench coach Hainley Statia: Never played above Triple-A.
Hitting coach Sharnol Adriana: Played 13 seasons in Mexico.
Pitching coach Jair Jurrjens: 3.72 ERA (109 ERA+) in 767.1 IP over 8 seasons, 514 SO (6.0 K/9), 264 BB (3.1 BB/9), 10.7 bWAR, 1 All-Star appearance
First base coach Randolph Oduber: Never played above Double-A.
Third base coach Ben Thijssen: Coached in the Netherlands.
Bullpen coach Sem Kuijper: Played 6 seasons in the Netherlands.
Total bWAR: 73.4
Nicaragua
Manager Dusty Baker: .278/.347/.432 (116 OPS+) in 8022 PA over 19 seasons, 320 2B, 242 HR, 1013 RBI, 137 SB, 37.0 bWAR, 2 Silver Slugger Awards, a Gold Glove Award, 2 All-Star appearances
Bench coach Sandor Guido: Prior coaching experience.
Hitting coach Randall Simon: .283/.320/.422 (95 OPS+) in 1717 PA over 8 seasons, 71 2B, 49 HR, 237 RBI, 0.1 bWAR
Pitching coach Lenin Picota: Never played above Triple-A.
First base coach Jorge Avellan: Played 10 years in Nicaragua.
Third base coach Gary Pettis: .236/.332/.310 (80 OPS+) in 4237 PA over 11 years, 109 2B, 49 3B, 21 HR, 259 RBI, 354 SB, 22.1 bWAR, 5 Gold Glove Awards
Bullpen coach Jose Torrez: Never played above Rookie Level.
Total bWAR: 59.2
Panama
Manager Jose Mayorga: Never played above Double-A.
Bench coach Julio Mosquera: .226/.250/.323 (46 OPS+) in 32 PA over three seasons, 3 2B, 2 RBI, -0.2 bWAR
Hitting coach Carlos Lee: .285/.339/.483 (113 OPS+) in 8787 PA over 14 seasons, 469 2B, 358 HR, 1363 RBI, 125 SB, 28.3 bWAR, 2 Silver Slugger Awards, 3 All-Star appearances
Pitching coach Julio Rangel: Never played above Double-A.
First base coach Raul Dominguez: Minor league managing experience.
Third base coach Lino Diaz: Never played above Triple-A.
Bullpen coach Gilberto Mendez: Never played above Double-A.
Total bWAR: 28.1
Puerto Rico
Manager Yadier Molina: .277/.327/.399 (96 OPS+) in 8554 PA over 19 seasons, 408 2B, 176 HR, 1022 RBI, 41.7 bWAR, a Silver Slugger Award, 9 Gold Glove Awards, 10 All-Star appearances
Bench coach Alex Cintron: .275/.313/.394 (80 OPS+) in 2217 PA over 9 seasons, 104 2B, 33 HR, 222 RBI, 2.2 bWAR
Hitting coach Juan Gonzalez: .295/.343/.561 (132 OPS+) in 7155 PA over 17 seasons, 388 2B, 434 HR, 1404 RBI, 38.7 bWAR, 2 MVP Awards (1996, 1998), 6 Silver Slugger Awards, 3 All-Star appearances (plus a HR Derby title)
Pitching coach José Rosado: 4.27 ERA (113 ERA+) in 720.1 IP over five seasons, 484 SO, 237 BB, 10.3 bWAR, 2 All-Star appearances
First base coach Sandy Alomar Jr.: .273/.309/.406 (86 OPS+) in 4865 PA over 20 seasons, 249 2B, 112 HR, 588 RBI, 13.7 bWAR, Rookie of the Year (1990), a Gold Glove Award, 6 All-Star appearances
Third base coach Joey Cora: .277/.348/.369 (90 OPS+) in 4279 PA over 11 seasons, 171 2B, 41 3B, 30 HR, 294 RBI, 117 SB, 7.9 bWAR, 1 All-Star appearance
Bullpen coach Juan Nieves: 4.71 ERA (93 ERA+) in 490.2 IP over three seasons, 352 SO (6.5 K/9), 227 BB (4.2 BB/9), 3.4 bWAR
Total bWAR: 117.9
United States
Manager Mark DeRosa: .268/.340/.412 (95 OPS+) in 4094 PA over 16 seasons, 196 2B, 100 HR, 494 RBI, 10.6 bWAR
Bench coach Michael Young: .300/.346/.441 (104 OPS+) in 8612 PA over 14 seasons, 441 2B, 60 3B, 185 HR, 1030 RBI, 90 SB, 24.7 bWAR, a Gold Glove Award, 7 All-Star appearances
Hitting coach Sean Casey: .302/.367/.447 (109 OPS+) in 5644 PA over 12 seasons, 322 2B, 130 HR, 735 RBI, 16.5 bWAR, 3 All-Star appearances
Asst. hitting coach Matt Holliday: .299/.379/.510 (132 OPS+) in 7981 PA over 15 seasons, 468 2B, 316 HR, 1220 RBI, 108 SB, 44.4 bWAR, 4 Silver Slugger Awards, 7 All-Star appearances
Pitching coach Andy Pettitte: 3.85 ERA (117 ERA+) in 3316.0 IP over 18 seasons, 2448 SO (6.6 K/9), 1031 BB (2.8 BB/9), 60.7 bWAR, 3 All-Star appearances
First base coach George Lombard: .220/.281/.340 (68 OPS+) in 388 PA over 6 seasons, 12 2B, 8 HR, 21 RBI, 23 SB, -0.9 bWAR
Third base coach Dino Ebel: Never played above Triple-A.
Bullpen coach David Ross: .229/.316/.423 (94 OPS+) in 2644 PA over 15 seasons, 116 2B, 106 HR, 314 RBI, 10.0 bWAR
Total bWAR: 166.0
Venezuela
Manager Omar López: Coaching experience in the minors.
Bench coach Robinson Chirinos: .226/.319/.419 (97 OPS+) in 2457 PA over 11 seasons, 114 2B, 95 HR, 306 RBI, 12.6 bWAR
Hitting coach Miguel Cabrera: .306/.382/.518 (140 OPS+) in 11796 PA over 21 seasons, 627 2B, 511 HR, 1881 RBI, 67.2 bWAR, 2 MVP Awards (2012, 2013), 7 Silver Slugger Awards, 12 All-Star appearances
Pitching coach Johan Santana: 3.20 ERA (136 ERA+) in 2025.2 IP over 12 seasons, 1988 SO (8.8 K/9), 567 BB (2.5 BB/9), 51.1 bWAR, 2 Cy Young Awards (2004, 2006), a Gold Glove Award, 4 All-Star appearances
First base coach Gerardo Parra: .275/.322/.403 (91 OPS+) in 5290 PA over 12 seasons, 269 2B, 42 3B, 90 HR, 532 RBI, 10.7 bWAR, 2 Gold Glove Awards
Third base coach Rouglas Odor: Never played above Double-A.
Bullpen coach: None listed
Total bWAR: 141.6
Top coaching staffs by career bWAR:
United States 166.0
Dominican Republic 148.2
Venezuela 141.6
Puerto Rico 117.9
Canada 101.6
Hall of Famers: Andruw Jones
Future Hall of Famers: Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Yadier Molina, Dusty Baker (as a manager), Andy Pettitte