Brazil bets on children of former Major League players for the World Classic
At 17 years outdated, Joseph Contreras is the youngest participant on this competitors that since Thursday brings collectively the largest constellation of sizzling ball stars in the United States, Puerto Rico and Japan.
He was born in Georgia, United States, and his father is none apart from José Ariel Contreras, former 2005 World Series champion pitcher with the Chicago White Sox and Cuban All-Star. His mom, Isabel, is Brazilian.
“At home I always speak Portuguese with my mother and Spanish with my father, and they gave me values and principles,” this right-handed pitcher, thought-about one of the finest younger figures, with fastballs of as much as 98 mph (158 km), tells AFP. He initiatives as a first- or second-round expertise for the 2026 Major League Draft.
“I was practically born in a clubhouse, I always watched the games, I grew up there and I knew that was what I wanted to do. I love playing baseball, and if I could turn something that I love into my job, I couldn’t ask for anything more,” he says.
The final title will not be sufficient
But he was conscious that it was not sufficient to simply be the son of, however that he needed to carve out his personal future. “My father always tells me: ‘God doesn’t keep anyone’s sweat.'”
He selected to play for Brazil as a result of he feels that it’s a group with braveness, which, he says, had a tough time discovering an area supervisor. It resorted to international figures for a very long time and at last, since 2025, it has been underneath the command of a Brazilian with Japanese roots, Yuichi Matsumoto.
Its debut this Friday at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas, towards the highly effective United States of Aaron Judge, marks Brazil’s return to the event, which it had reached for the first and solely time in 2013 with out advancing to the part.
But he has gained floor lately in South America and holds a silver medal at the 2023 Pan American Games, his best historic achievement thus far. “We can surprise, that’s baseball, and we can make history,” says Contreras.
Brazil shares Group B with the United States, Great Britain, Italy and Mexico. The two finest groups will advance to the quarterfinals.
It’s not simply soccer
A left fielder like his father, Lucas Ramírez is the son of former designated hitter Manny Ramírez, a Dominican star for the Cleveland Guardians, the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
At 20 years outdated, Lucas performs in the minor leagues for the Los Angeles Angels. His mom, Juliana, was born in the land of Pelé.
“I always wanted to represent Brazil to support my family. Brazilian culture is valuable,” he tells AFP.
“Brazil is not just soccer, and I think many other sports can emerge and also be big, maybe reach the Olympic Games. And just as we are here in the World Baseball Classic, if baseball could do it, any other sport could too.”
He says that since he was a toddler he solely needed to play baseball. “Of course, my father, Manny Ramírez, and seeing him play helped me a lot (…). His self-confidence and his effort pushed me to want to be better and try harder than him, because I am very competitive,” he says.
Born in Weston, Florida, he considers it “great that there are other great players, sons of Brazilians,” on the group. “It’s great to see them again, because I play with Dante [Bichette Jr.] and those who qualified [al Mundial]. “It was an unbelievable expertise and I can solely thank God for placing me on this place.”
blood affair
Baseball veteran, Dante Bichette Jr., 33, was born in Orlando, Florida. Former New York Yankees prospect, he performed in the minor leagues till 2020.
His father, Dante Bichette Sr., was a proper fielder with fourteen seasons in the Major Leagues, shining with the Colorado Rockies. His brother, Bo Bichette, simply signed with the New York Mets after an extended stint with the Toronto Blue Jays. And his mom, Mariana, is Brazilian.
It is the second time that Bichette Jr. represents Brazil since 2017 and to clarify the delight he feels in his maternal homeland, he has dyed his hair inexperienced, in reference to the flag of the South American large.
“I love Brazil, its people, Sao Paulo. This team is very special for me, it has a lot of light,” he tells AFP. “It’s a blood thing, you know? It’s more about Brazilian blood than anything else. We’re a big family, and I think the harmony in Brazil is my favorite part, for sure.”
© 2026 AFP
