Let’s start with the Israelis:

Assaf Lowengart (OF) Assaf Lowengart was born in Timorim, Israel, and grew up playing baseball on Kibbutz Gezer. After completing his service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), he moved to the United States to continue his baseball career. He played collegiately at Mansfield University and later at William & Mary University. In 2024, Lowengart became the first Israeli-born baseball player to sign a professional contract. He went on to play for the New York Boulders and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Frontier League. Internationally, he has represented Team Israel at the Tokyo Olympics as well as in the European Championships in 2021, 2023, and 2025.

Dean Kremer (P) Born to Israeli parents, Dean Kremer is fluent in Hebrew and lives in Israel for part of the year. He began his international career pitching for Team USA at the 2013 Maccabiah Games before joining Team Israel in 2014 for the qualifiers of the 2016 European Championship, where he earned Most Valuable Pitcher honors. Kremer later represented Israel in the qualifiers for the 2017 World Baseball Classic and went on to lead the pitching staff as its ace in the 2023 tournament. In 2018, Kremer was traded to the Baltimore Orioles as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Manny Machado (an opponent on Team Dominican Republic) to the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2020, he made his Major League debut with the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the first Israeli citizen to pitch in MLB history.

Jake Fishman (P) A late addition to the roster, Jake Fishman brought much-needed left-handed depth to the bullpen. He played collegiately at Union College before being selected 912th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2016 MLB Draft. In 2019, he obtained Israeli citizenship in order to represent Team Israel at the Tokyo Olympics. Fishman made his Major League debut with the Miami Marlins in 2022, appearing in seven games. Following the Olympics, he continued to represent Israel, pitching for the team again in 2023 at both the World Baseball Classic and the European Championship.

Zack Weiss (P) Initially drafted 297th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of high school, Zack Weiss chose to attend UCLA, where he continued his development before being selected 195th overall in the 2013 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He made his Major League debut in 2018 and later obtained Israeli citizenship in order to represent Team Israel at the Tokyo Olympics. Weiss pitched for Israel in the 2019 European Championship and returned to the majors in 2022 with the Los Angeles Angels. In 2023, he competed for Israel in the World Baseball Classic, followed by additional major league stints with the Angels and the Boston Red Sox.

Benjamin Rosengard (SS) Benjamin Rosengard played collegiate baseball at the University of Chicago, Rice University, and UC San Diego. In 2023, he obtained Israeli citizenship and represented Team Israel at the European Championships in 2023 and 2025. Professionally, he plays for the Idaho Falls Chukars of the Pioneer League.

Next up, we have the returning players:

Daniel Federman (P) After pitching at the University of Miami, Daniel Federman signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an undrafted free agent. He represented Team Israel at the 2023 World Baseball Classic and currently pitches for the Aberdeen IronBirds. After spending the entire 2024 season on the injured list, he has returned to Team Israel.

Rob Kaminsky (P) Rob Kaminsky was selected 28th overall in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals out of high school. He made his Major League debut with St. Louis in 2020. His big league appearances came during the pandemic-shortened season played without fans, making his debut part of one of the most unusual years in MLB history. He has since spent time in the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners organizations. Kaminsky returns after pitching for Team Israel in 2023, bringing much-needed experienced left-handed depth out of the bullpen.

Robert Stock (P) Robert Stock was originally selected 67th overall in the 2009 MLB Draft out of USC by the St. Louis Cardinals as a catcher before transitioning to pitching full-time in 2013. He made his Major League debut with the San Diego Padres in 2018 and has since pitched in the majors for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets, in addition to a stint in Korea with the Doosan Bears. Stock competed for Team Israel in 2023 and returns as a veteran presence, bringing major league experience to a relatively young pitching staff.

C.J. Stubbs (C) C.J. Stubbs was drafted 316th overall by the Houston Astros in the 2019 MLB Draft out of USC. His brother, Garrett, made his Major League debut for Houston that same year. In 2023, C.J. joined Team Israel after his brother was injured, stepping in to catch for Israel. He signed a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals in 2024 and made his Major League debut on September 1, 2025 — the day after Jewish Heritage Day and just before the Israel Bonds game day. In his only major league game, C.J. called a shutout behind the plate. After the season, he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays with his new teammate, RJ Schreck.

Garrett Stubbs (C) Garrett Stubbs was selected 229th overall by the Houston Astros out of USC and made his Major League debut with Houston in 2019. In 2021, he was one of a record-setting four Jewish players to appear in the World Series. Following that season, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, where he became known as a clubhouse “vibes” player and an energetic presence behind the plate. In 2023, Garrett played third base (not catcher) for Team Israel, delivering two hits against Nicaragua, including a game-winning ground rule double in the eighth inning, before suffering an injury. He also caught the Major League debut of fellow Team Israel teammate Max Lazar and is teammates with him in Philly, so there is already an established battery on the team.

Spencer Horwitz (INF) Growing up surrounded by baseball with his grandfather, Jay Horwitz, being a longtime Mets executive, Spencer Horwitz was selected 717th overall out of Radford University by the Toronto Blue Jays. After competing for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Horwitz made his Major League debut with Toronto later that season. Following the 2024 campaign, he was traded in a deal involving Andrés Giménez  (who had been with the Cleveland Guardians after a previous trade for Josh Wolf, a teammate on Israel’s 2023 squad) and was subsequently traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he now plays. Horwitz brings a much-needed power bat to the team.

Noah Mendlinger (INF) Noah Mendlinger signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2021 following his collegiate career at Georgia College. Mendlinger represented Team Israel in 2023, where his defense stood out as a key asset. Not only that, but he also hit .300 during the tournament. With his infield versatility and strong glove, he will be a valuable fit in the infield for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Matt Mervis (1B) Matt Mervis, whose grandmother is from Givatayim, played collegiately at Duke University before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Cubs following the shortened 2020 MLB Draft. In 2023, Mervis represented Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic and later that year made his Major League debut with the Cubs. He was traded to the Miami Marlins in 2024 and is currently with the Washington Nationals. A power-hitting first baseman, Mervis will be a strong middle-of-the-order presence and should form a formidable 3-4 combination in the lineup alongside Spencer Horwitz.

Charlie Beilenson (P) Charlie Beilenson played collegiately at Brown University and Duke University before being selected 154th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners. Last season, Beilenson pitched in a combined no-hitter for the Everett AquaSox (High-A), and he currently plays for the Arkansas Travelers (AA).

Harrison Cohen (P) Harrison Cohen played collegiately at George Washington University before signing with the New York Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Following the October 7 attacks in Israel, Cohen co-founded Together 18 with fellow Jewish Yankees minor leaguer Eric Reyzelman to raise funds for Magen David Adom and Friends of the IDF. He currently holds a non-roster invitation to Yankees spring training, continuing to compete for a role at the major league level.

Max Lazar (P) Max Lazar was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round (324th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft, choosing to begin his professional career rather than accept a college scholarship offer from Florida Atlantic University. He developed within the Brewers’ system before signing a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies following the 2023 season. Lazar made his Major League debut in 2024 with Garrett Stubbs behind the plate. His first career strikeout was former Team Israel player Joc Pederson, meaning all three players involved were Jewish.

Zack Leban (P) Zack Leban played collegiately at the University of Kansas before being selected 357th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins. Leban joined Team Israel after replacing Eli Morgan, who was unable to participate due to insurance issues.

Carlos Lequerica (P) It was recently discovered that there is a Jewish minor leaguer who had not previously been on the radar. Carlos Lequerica has a Jewish mother and is therefore Jewish. He played collegiately at Bethune-Cookman University, Florida International University, and the University of Miami before signing as an undrafted free agent with the Detroit Tigers in 2023.

Josh Mallitz (P) Josh Mallitz pitched at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and was part of the 2022 College World Series championship team. Following his collegiate career, he signed with the San Diego Padres as an undrafted free agent in 2024. Mallitz is currently pitching for the San Antonio Missions (AA).

Ryan Prager (P) Ryan Prager pitched at Texas A&M University. He was selected 81st overall in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels, but chose not to sign. He was later drafted 282nd overall by the Cleveland Guardians and now plays for the Hill City Howlers (A).

Ben Simon (P) Ben Simon pitched at Elon University before being drafted 396th overall by the New York Mets. He was teammates with Josh Blum on the Brooklyn Cyclones, prior to Blum’s injury at Mets camp that forced him to drop off the roster. Simon now plays for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (AA).

Jake Gelof (INF) Jake Gelof, the brother of Zack Gelof who played in 2023, starred at the University of Virginia and etched his name throughout the program’s record books. He became UVA’s all-time home run leader with his 38th career homer and set the school’s single-season RBI record with 81 in 2022 before breaking it again with 90 in 2023, becoming the only player in program history to record 70 or 80 RBI in two separate seasons. Gelof set a school record with five multi-home run games in 2022 and broke a 29-year-old single-season home run mark with 23 in 2023 after hitting 21 the year prior, making him the first Cavalier with two 20-homer seasons. In NCAA Tournament play, he tied school single-game records with two home runs, five RBI, and eight total bases against Coastal Carolina and finished his career with six NCAA Tournament home runs, the most in program history. Gelof was selected 60th overall in the MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and currently plays for the Great Lakes Loons (High-A). He will slot into the middle of the lineup as a good power bat.

Zach Levenson (OF) Zach Levenson played collegiately at the University of Miami before being selected 158th overall in the MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He currently plays for the Springfield Cardinals (AA).

RJ Schreck (OF) RJ Schreck was selected 277th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners. Prior to the 2024 season, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for Justin Turner. Schreck now plays for the Buffalo Bisons (AAA) and holds a non-roster invitation to Blue Jays spring training.

Players Eligible via the Law of Return (rules explained here)

Harrison Bader (OF) Harrison Bader, whose father is Jewish, has long expressed interest in representing Team Israel and is the biggest addition to the team this year. Bader played for the University of Florida before being drafted 100th overall by the St. Louis Cardinals and making his MLB debut in 2017. He had planned to play for the team in 2023, but got injured before the WBC. Later, he showed his support during the 2024 season by wearing a Magen David belt and a hostage dog tag. Known for elite defense in center field and clutch hitting, he is a huge addition to the squad this year.

Matt Bowman (P) Matt Bowman, whose wife is Jewish, played collegiately at Princeton University before being selected 410th overall in the 2013 MLB Draft by the New York Mets. He made his Major League debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 and has played in the league for seven seasons. He will be a good mentor for the younger guys.

Cole Carrigg (INF) Cole Carrigg, whose father is Jewish, was drafted 65th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies out of San Diego State University. A fast switch-hitting infielder with sneaky pop, Carrigg will make a good addition to the team.

Jordan Geber (P) Jordan Geber, whose paternal grandfather is Jewish, played collegiately at Mount St. Mary’s University and Virginia Tech. Geber signed with the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He currently plays for the Syracuse Mets (AAA).

Colby Halter (INF) Halter was added to Team Israel shortly before the tournament, and his Jewish eligibilityis not publicly known at the time of his selection. He previously represented the United States on the Team USA 18U national team, giving him international playing experience that a lot of newcomers don’t have. Halter was selected 496th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics out of the University of Florida. He currently plays for the Las Vegas Aviators (AAA).

Tommy Kahnle (P) Tommy Kahnle, whose wife is Jewish, has been pitching in the major leagues for more than a decade. The team has very few lefty pitchers, but Kahnle’s primary pitch is a changeup which is quite effective against lefties. With his extensive major league experience, he is expected to play a key role at the back end of the bullpen and handle many of the team’s most important late-game outs.

Brad Ausmus (Manager) Brad Ausmus had an 18-year Major League career as a catcher, earning one All-Star selection and three Gold Glove Awards for his defense behind the plate. After retiring, he moved into managing, leading the Detroit Tigers for four seasons and later managing the Los Angeles Angels. Ausmus has long been connected with Israeli baseball, serving as manager during the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifiers and later as bench coach for Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He currently serves as bench coach for the New York Yankees.

Kevin Youkilis (Bench Coach) Kevin Youkilis played ten seasons in Major League Baseball and was a three-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion, and Gold Glove winner during his career. As a player, he represented Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He previously served as hitting coach for Team Israel during the 2023 WBC and now joins the staff as bench coach.

Blake Gailen (Hitting Coach) Blake Gailen played for Team Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and later represented the country again at the Tokyo Olympics. In the 2023 WBC, he served on the coaching staff as third base coach.

Tyger Pederson (Hitting Coach) Tyger Pederson, the older brother of former Team Israel player Joc Pederson, was the first base coach for Team Israel during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Brad Goldberg (Pitching Coach) Brad Goldberg pitched for Team Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and appeared in the major leagues that same year with the Chicago White Sox. After transitioning into coaching, he joined the Cleveland Guardians organization and currently serves as the club’s assistant pitching coach.

Jason Bell (1B Coach) Jason Bell won a World Series ring in 2021 with the Houston Astros, serving as the organization’s Minor League Fundamentals Coordinator and contributing to player development throughout the system.

Mark Loretta (3B Coach) Mark Loretta played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball and was a two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner during his career. Loretta has previously worked with Team Israel, serving on Brad Ausmus’s staff during the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifiers.

Jason Agresti (Bullpen Catcher) Jason Agresti caught for Team Israel at the 2025 European Baseball Championship.

Blake Dickman (Bullpen Catcher) Blake Dickman caught for Team Israel at the 2023 and 2025 European Baseball Championships.

Jason Marquis (Bullpen Coach) Jason Marquis pitched 15 seasons in Major League Baseball and was named an All-Star while also winning a Silver Slugger Award. His international career stretches back to his youth, playing in the Little League World Series. Later, he pitched for Team Israel in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Jerry Narron (OF Coach) Jerry Narron spent eight seasons in the major leagues as a catcher before managing for five years. Narron joined the staff for Team Israel during the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualifier as third base coach and again in 2023 as bench coach. Known around the game for having the best handwriting of any coach in baseball, Narron now contributes his decades of experience as the team’s outfield coach.

Nate Fish (Batting Practice Pitcher) The king of Jewish baseball.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)