Who To Watch In The WBC: Pete Crow-Armstrong's Glove Valuable For U.S., Vinnie Pasquantino Anchors Italy

We are down to the final games of pool play in the World Baseball Classic. The U.S., fresh off a thrilling 5-3 win over Mexico, wraps up its Pool B schedule with a clash against Italy on Tuesday.

The U.S. is 3-0, but has not yet clinched a quarterfinal spot. That is because Italy is 2-0 and Mexico now 2-1. After facing the U.S., Italy concludes Pool B action vs. Mexico. Only two of those three teams will advance to the quarterfinals, with the Pool B representatives playing the two teams from Pool A in Houston. There remains the potential of a three-way tie in Pool B.

Pete Crow-Armstrong, United States

Originally expected to be a platoon center fielder for Team USA, the soon-to-be 25-year-old Chicago Cubs star started vs. Great Britain due to Byron Buxton getting hit by a pitch on the forearm. Crow-Armstrong's defense is his calling card, especially on a team with a loaded offense like the U.S. He went 1-for-8 in the first two games, but he did have a double, a walk, and scored twice in the 9-1 win over Great Britain. Buxton was back in center for Monday's game.

Vinnie Pasquantino, Italy

The Pasquatch has been a leader for the Italian team. The 28-year-old Kansas City Royals first baseman has yet to produce offensively in the WBC, going 0-for-7 but drawing three walks and scoring once in Italy's first two games, both victories. That bodes well for Italy as it gets set to face the U.S. in a critical Pool B game, especially if Pasquantino starts to get some hits to power the middle of the order.

Liam Hicks, Canada

The 26-year-old catcher for the Miami Marlins is the backup backstop for Canada behind Bo Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians. Hicks didn't play in the first two games as Canada didn't use its bench except for one pinch-hit appearance. He did well in his rookie season for the Fish, putting up a .247/.346/.346 slash line with six homers and 45 RBIs in 119 games.

RJ Schreck, Israel

The No. 9 prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays' system, the 25-year-old outfielder has played in each of Israel's first three games. While he has gone just 1-for-7, Schreck has drawn four walks and struck out just once. His lone hit was a solo homer, going deep off Venezuela left-hander Ricardo Sanchez. Israel is 1-2 and won't advance to the quarterfinals, so Schreck will return to Jays' camp. Schreck played at three levels in 2025, finishing with 58 games at Triple-A and posting a .242/.392/.435 slash line with nine homers and 33 RBIs.