Seth Lugo Represents Louisiana In The 2026 World Baseball Classic

One of the coolest events in all of sports is the World Baseball Classic. Basically teams comprised of both professionals & "average Joes" compete to see which nation will bring home the title of best baseball team in the world.

The 2023 edition of the WBC was one of the most watched sporting events in the world, and the 2026 edition is expected to surpass those viewership numbers.

And while tons of players from all over the world will compete in this event, there's one that hits a little closer to home: Louisiana native Seth Lugo will be competing in the WBC this year for Team Puerto Rico.

Seth Lugo's Journey from Louisiana to International Star

Bossier City's Seth Lugo has had an incredible journey to major league baseball. From Parkway High School to Centenary College to being a 34th round draft pick by the Mets in 2011 to being an American League Cy Young finalist in 2024, his career is as incredible to watch as it is unlikely. The 34th round of the draft doesn't even exist anymore, yet somehow, Seth has defied the odds and found a major role in the majors.

And this year, Seth is returning to international play in the World Baseball Classic as he's agreed to play for Team Puerto Rico. Now, if you're wondering, "Why is a Louisiana guy representing Puerto Rico?". It's kind of simple - he has a strong Puerto Rican heritage and, at points in his life & playing career, had the nickname "Quarterrican".

In fact, last time Seth played International Baseball, he suited up for Puerto Rico in the 2017 WBC - where he helped the team secure a Silver Medal in the tournament.

How and When to Watch the World Baseball Classic

If you want to support Louisiana's own Seth Lugo in the tournament or just root for Team USA, the WBC will be played March 5th-17th. The complete tournament will feature 20 teams from nations/territories from around the world.

Round 1 plays out across 4 pools - those games will take place in San Juan, Houston, Tokyo, and Miami. Below is the break down of pools. You can find more info, schedules and ticket information on the WBC website.

Dominican Republic
Israel
Netherlands
Nicaragua
Venezuela