Players to watch at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Finals
The most talented and dynamic players in the world will compete at the WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup Finals 2025, the pinnacle event in men’s international softball, as they aim to be crowned World Champions.
Here are eight standout players to watch in Prince Albert.
Huemul Mata (ARG)
Huemul Mata has been a cornerstone of Argentina’s pitching staff since 2019, when he played a key role in leading the team to its first—and so far only—WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup title. The Santa Rosa native is set to play in his fifth World Cup, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a reputation as one of the game's fiercest competitors. Over the course of his World Cup career, Mata has struck out 132 batters in 80.1 innings, posting a 3.13 ERA.
- In 2015, his World Cup debut, he pitched 4 innings across two games, recording 6 strikeouts. Two years later, he logged a 1-1 record, throwing 7.1 innings with 10 strikeouts and a 7.64 ERA.
- In 2019 Mata delivered a masterful performance to help Argentina win the title, pitching 28.1 innings with 48 strikeoutsand a 1.48 ERA. In the final against Japan —widely regarded as one of the greatest games in tournament history - he threw a 10-inning complete game, striking out 17, allowing four hits and two runs.
- His fourth World Cup in 2022 saw him pitching 29.2 innings, fanning 54 while giving up 14 runs. His ERA finished in 3.30.
- In 2024, shared the circle duties in Group B with Martin Gonzalez and Pablo Migliavacca, pitching 11 innings with 13 strikeouts and a 2.55 ERA.
Callum Beashel (AUS)
A 2022 World Champion, Callum Beashel is competing in his third senior World Cup with Australia. A consistent line-drive hitter with a career .387 average (24-for-62), he has hit safely in 19 of his 26 World Cup games and rarely strikes out (10 K in 62 ABs).
- Debuted in 2019 with a team-best .471 average, including two home runs and six RBIs.
- In 2022, he played all three outfield positions and hit second in the lineup, finishing with a .296 average and five RBIs. He batted .444 during the Group Stage in 2023.
- In 2023, he also served as assistant coach of the U-18 national team that finished fifth in the World Cup.
Sean Cleary (CAN)
One of the top pitchers of the past two decades, Sean Cleary owns four World Cup medals: gold (2015), silver (2022), and two bronzes (2017, 2019). He boasts a career 17-4 record with a 2.32 ERA and 197 strikeouts in 123.1 innings over 27 appearances. The 2025 Finals mark his sixth World Cup appearance.
- Debuted in 2013, recording 23 strikeouts in 13.1 innings (2-1 record, 3.15 ERA).
- Key figure in Canada’s 2015 title run (5-1, 2.97 ERA); named WBSC Player of the Year.
- Dominant in 2019: allowed just three runs in 23.2 IP for a 0.89 ERA with 40 strikeouts.
- In 2022, he struck out 49 in 27.1 innings, but lost the final against Australia despite allowing only one earned run.
- After missing the Group Stage in 2024, Cleary returns to lead Canada once again.
Yan Carlos Gonzalez (DOM)
Yan Carlos Gonzalez was named Most Outstanding Player of Group A in 2024 after dominating with a 0.81 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 26 innings, helping the Dominican Republic finish first. The veteran right-hander has a 2.76 career ERA in WBSC World Cups with 59 strikeouts and a 5-3 record.
- Participated in the 2017 World Cup, finishing with a 1-3 record and 7.00 ERA.
- Starred at the 2024 Pan American Championship with a 1.48 ERA, 43 strikeouts, and a 4-0 record.
- Helped the Dominican Republic win gold at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games.
- According to Synergy, his riseball was his go-to pitch in Group A (40% of his 317 pitches), with a 62% strike rate.His secondary pitch was the curveball (24%), with a 74% strike rate.
Shota Onodera (JPN)
A consistent strike-thrower, Shota Onodera has played a key role in Japan’s success at all levels. He has silver medals from both the U-18 and U-23 World Cups and is now establishing himself at the senior level.
- Led Japan to silver at the 2018 U-18 World Cup in Prince Albert with a 2.66 ERA and 38 Ks in 26.1 IP.
- Helped Japan reach the final at the 2023 U-23 World Cup (17 IP, 0.82 ERA, 27 Ks, 2 BB).
- According to Synergy, he uses breaking pitches 70% of the time (curveball 48%, riseball 22%), averaging 70.9 mph on the curve and topping 76 mph.
- While hitters swing 54% at his riseball, it has a 61% swing-and-miss rate across his World Cup outings.
Reilly Makea (NZL)
Reilly Makea, 25, is playing his third Men’s Softball World Cup. The son of head coach Thomas Makea, he’s been a consistent offensive force for New Zealand, owning a .362 career average with five home runs and 16 RBIs. His OPS across three tournaments stands at 1.141.
- Debuted in 2019 as the youngest player on a fourth-place team, hitting .333 with seven RBIs and a homer.
- In 2022, the Wellingtonian led New Zealand with two home runs and a .353 average.
- Hit .400 in 2023 Group Stage in Prince Albert, with two home runs.
- Also owns a bronze medal from the 2018 U-18 World Cup, where he hit .444 with four homers and pitched 16.1 innings (4.71 ERA, 31 Ks).
Marco Diaz (USA)
Marco Diaz emerged as USA’s ace during Group C of the World Cup in 2024. In his debut, he posted a 1.27 ERA and struck out 44 in 22 innings — a two-strikeout-per-inning pace — while winning all four of his starts.
- According to Synergy, his main pitch is the dropball (46% usage), averaging 77.1 mph and topping at 84 mph.
- He’s a ground ball machine: 74% of balls in play were grounders, and no home runs were hit against him in 90 plate appearances.
- Allowed 18 hits and eight walks in the Group Stage, with a 1.18 WHIP.
Rafael Flores (VEN)
A legend behind the plate, Rafael Flores may be playing his final World Cup in Prince Albert. The veteran catcher from Zulia, Venezuela, has been a cornerstone of the national team for two decades.
- Competing in his seventh World Cup, Flores owns a .348 career average with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs.
- Debuted in 2009, collecting 55 hits in 158 at-bats.
- His best tournament came in 2017, hitting .542 with five homers and 11 RBIs.
- Hit .381 with a double and five RBIs during the 2024 Group Stage in Hermosillo.
- He has two World Cup medals: silver (2013, Auckland) and bronze (2015, Saskatoon).