SteepleCats in the WBC
As baseball season starts up, the Cats are represented on the world's biggest stage.
Steeplecats Alum Matt Koperniak returns to WBC for ‘26
Koperniak, who played for North Adams in 2018 and 2019, will be making his second appearance for Team GB
The World Baseball Classic represents one of the most exciting events in baseball, giving players the opportunity to play for their country on the big stage, and for the second straight iteration of the tournament, the North Adams Steeplecats will play a part. Matt Koperniak, who made 74 total appearances for the Steeplecats across two summers, will play for Team Great Britain, and will look to help them advance to knockout play for the first time. The 28-year-old outfielder has spent his entire 5-year professional career in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, reaching as high as Triple-A and posting a career OPS of .804.
Koperniak, who was born in London before moving to the United States at only one month old, is projected to start in left field for Team GB after appearing in 4 of their 5 games in the last edition of the tournament. He will play alongside Major League stars such as Jazz Chisholm and Harry Ford, who will co-captain the team. Other notables on the team include 7-year big leaguer Vance Worley, and Trayce Thompson, former Red Sox outfielder and brother of NBA star Klay Thompson.
Team GB will play in Pool B, facing Team USA, Team Mexico, Team Italy, and Team Brazil. They begin pool play on March 6 against Team Mexico at 1 pm ET at Daikin Park, home of the Houston Astros, televised on FS1.
Steeplecats Alum Gordon Graceffo Joins Team Italy
Graceffo played in 9 games for the ‘Cats in 2019, and currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals
Another former North Adams Steeplecat will suit up in this year’s World Baseball Classic, as pitcher Gordon Graceffo has been selected to represent Italy. Graceffo joins a loaded Italian team looking to make their mark in a tournament format where they have already had some success, advancing out of pool play in 2013 and 2023. Graceffo will be making his first appearance in the WBC in 2026.
The 25 year old right-hander has spent his professional career in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, making his big league debut this past season after being drafted in 2021. He will now look to contribute on the international stage, and build momentum for what he surely hopes will be a big 2026. Some notables suiting up for Team Italy alongside Graceffo include Vinnie Pasquantino, Aaron Nola, Kyle Teel, and Jac Caglianone, as the Italian team mostly consists of Italian-Americans who qualify for the team through familial links.
Team Italy will play in Pool B alongside Team USA, Team Brazil, Team Great Britain, and Team Mexico, at Daikin Park in Houston. They will begin pool play on March 7 against Team Brazil at 1:00 EST, televised on FS1.