Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Dean Kremer will play for Team Israel at the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The six-year veteran announced his intentions to pitch for Israel on an episode of the Max Mannis Pod this past July. Kremer became the first Israeli to be drafted by a Major League organization in 2015, selected in the 38th round by the San Diego Padres.
Kremer, soon to be 29, was a middle-of-the-rotation arm with the Orioles this past season. He eclipsed 171 or more innings two of the past three years, posting a 4.19 ERA in 31 games (29 starts) in 2025.
Kremer's previous experience pitching for Israel
Kremer helped Israel qualify for the 2017 WBC by throwing a shutout inning during the 2016 WBC Qualifiers at Maimonides Park in Brooklyn, New York.
He was on Israel's roster for the 2017 and 2023 editions of the 20-team international tournament, and one of his teammates in 2026 will be free agent outfielder Harrison Bader.
In March, Israel will compete in Pool D alongside Venezuela, Nicaragua, the Netherlands, and the Dominican Republic at loanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.
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