In advance of the upcoming Major League Baseball season, the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) will take place from Mar. 4-17, bringing the best players in the world into international competition.
This year’s competition features three former Long Beach State Dirtbags who were selected to represent three different nations in the WBC. Outfielder Jarren Duran will represent Team Mexico, infielder Jonathon Long was on the roster for Chinese Taipei, and right-handed pitcher Vance Worley is back with Great Britain.
“I think it’s such a big deal to have the Dirtbag name and brand out there, and all three of those guys embody what it means to be a Dirtbag,” said Long Beach State head coach TJ Bruce. “And as guys come up through this program, they’re going to be able to see names like those guys, and see that you can come to Long Beach State and go do big things in the big leagues and/or the World Baseball Classic.”
Duran, 29, is an established MLB All-Star with the Boston Red Sox, and will be making his second appearance at the WBC for Team Mexico. After getting just five at-bats during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Duran is expected to be a key contributor this time around. He’s seeing the ball well in Spring Training, hitting .583 with three homers in just 12 at-bats in Grapefruit League action.
Long, 24, has yet to make his MLB debut, but is right on the cusp as one of the top prospects in the Chicago Cubs’ organization. The first baseman was invited to Spring Training for the third consecutive year, and suffered an elbow sprain following a collision at first base–an injury that forced him to withdraw from this year’s WBC.
“To fly across the world, not knowing if I could swing a bat and then have to rehab with them, versus being here, it just didn’t make sense,” Long told MLB.com. “Especially getting ready for a season, it’s kind of more important to be fully healthy.”
The 38-year-old Worley is making his second appearance for Team Great Britain at the WBC and will be among the elder statesmen in the competition. The right-hander played his last MLB game in the 2017 season with the Miami Marlins, at the end of an eight-year career that saw him pitch for five different organizations.
Bruce was an assistant coach at Long Beach State for Worley’s last two seasons at the Beach, and remembers what he brought to the Dirtbags’ clubhouse.
“Vance was a great competitor,” Bruce said. “I remember having him in those middle 2000 years, and I just have so much respect for him and what he’s done. He’s really a professional.”
Great Britain will open the WBC on Friday, Mar. 6 against Mexico in the first game of Pool Play in Pool B. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. PT at Daikin Park in Houston.
In other offseason news, Long Beach State alum Jeff McNeil was traded from the New York Mets to the Athletics, making Sacramento his new home. The 33-year-old utilityman is expected to take over the second base job with the A’s and offer a veteran presence to a young lineup. The two-time All-Star has spent all eight of his big league seasons with the Mets.
There were also some Long Beach guys who reached contract agreements with their MLB organizations this offseason to avoid salary arbitration.
Long Beach native and 2025 All-Star Trevor Megill agreed to a $4.7 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers for the upcoming season. His brother, Tylor Megill, reached an agreement with the New York Mets for $2.5 million.
Duran signed for $7.7 million with the Red Sox, and Millikan High alum Spencer Steer reached a $4 million agreement with the Cincinnati Reds.
The 2026 MLB season opens on Wednesday, Mar. 25 with a game between the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants, with a fuller slate of 14 games the next day.
