Andruw Jones leidt Oranje met sterrenmix naar WBC 2026

2026-02-06 sport

Amsterdam, vrijdag, 6 februari 2026.
Het Nederlands honkbalteam maakt een krachtige comeback op het wereldtoneel met een selectie vol MLB-topspelers. Bondscoach Andruw Jones, net benoemd tot Hall of Famer, leidt het team naar de World Baseball Classic in Miami. Voor het eerst draagt zoon Druw Jones het elftalshirt, een symbolische passage van vader op zoon. Het team telt grote namen als Xander Bogaerts, Kenley Jansen en debutanten Ozzie Albies en Ceddanne Rafaela. Tegelijk keert Jonathan Schoop niet terug vanwege een lopend wapenonderzoek. De openingswedstrijd tegen Venezuela op 6 maart markeert de start van een toernooi waarin Oranje hoopt te herpakken wat in 2023 verloren ging.

a new era under andruw jones

The Netherlands national baseball team heads into the 2026 World Baseball Classic with renewed ambition. Led by newly appointed manager Andruw Jones, the team carries both emotional weight and elite talent. Jones, recently inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, brings instant credibility to the role [1]. His selection marks a symbolic shift, aligning Oranje’s leadership with its golden generation legacy. For the first time, his son Druw Jones joins the squad as a fielder [2]. The younger Jones holds dual eligibility but chose to represent the Netherlands despite prior youth commitments to U.S. teams [3].

star-studded roster with key absences

The 30-man Dutch roster features several Major League Baseball stars. Among them are Xander Bogaerts, Kenley Jansen, and Jurickson Profar, all proven performers at the highest level [3]. Ozzie Albies and Ceddanne Rafaela join the team for the first time, adding fresh offensive firepower [4]. However, veteran infielder Jonathan Schoop does not feature due to legal issues. He remains detained in Curaçao following an investigation into illegal weapons possession, which began with a search on January 29, 2026 [5]. His absence leaves a gap in experience, especially at second base [6].

miami showdown begins march 6

The Kingdom of the Netherlands opens its campaign against Venezuela on March 6, 2026, at loanDepot Park in Miami [3]. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM Eastern Time, or 18:00 CET [7]. This game kicks off Group D, widely regarded as the toughest pool. Opponents include the Dominican Republic and Israel, alongside newcomer Nicaragua [8]. The top two teams advance to the quarterfinals. Prior to competition, the team will hold training sessions in Fort Myers starting February 19, followed by exhibition games against the Baltimore Orioles on March 3 and the Tampa Bay Rays on March 4 [9].

youth meets experience in pitching staff

The pitching rotation blends seasoned professionals with emerging prospects. Five debutants highlight the group: Jamdrick Cornelia, Shawndrick Oduber, Ryjeteri Merite, Jaitoine Kelly, and Dylan Wilson—all currently active in Minor League systems [3]. Veterans like Kenley Jansen and Derek West bring crucial playoff-tested composure [10]. The team includes ten pitchers total who play professionally outside the Netherlands. Pitch count regulations limit starters to 65 throws in early rounds, with mandatory rest days after exceeding 30 pitches [11]. This strategy aims to protect arms ahead of the MLB season.

historical context and competitive stakes

This year’s tournament marks the sixth edition of the World Baseball Classic, held biennially since 2006 [GPT]. The Netherlands has participated five times previously, reaching the semifinals in 2013 and 2017 [3]. Their most recent appearance in 2023 ended prematurely during the group stage [4]. Success in 2026 would signal a strong resurgence. Historically, matches between Venezuela and the Netherlands often carry extra intensity, particularly when shared rosters include players from Aruba and Curaçao [12]. With three other nations competing in Miami, every matchup becomes critical for advancement.

Bronnen

Honkbal Oranje