WBC Winners: A Look Back at World Baseball Classic MVPs
As the highly anticipated 2026 World Baseball Classic final approaches, celebrations are brewing, a trophy awaits, and the coveted Most Valuable Player award is up for grabs. Who will etch their name into WBC history? Will we witness a defining moment akin to Shohei Ohtani’s masterful pitching in 2023 or Marcus Stroman’s dominant performance in 2017? Perhaps a towering home run from Aaron Judge, clutch hits from Luis Arraez, or a shutdown outing from a team’s bullpen will seal the deal. We’ll find out soon, but let’s take a look back at the elite players who have previously earned the MVP honor in the World Baseball Classic.
A History of Excellence: Past WBC MVPs
Here’s a retrospective on all five previous winners of the tournament’s MVP award, celebrating their remarkable contributions to the World Baseball Classic.
2023: Shohei Ohtani, RHP/DH, Japan
Though Japan’s 2023 WBC run ended earlier than expected, Shohei Ohtani’s performance remains unforgettable. Ohtani delivered a storybook ending, closing the championship game against Team USA in a rare relief appearance. After walking Jeff McNeil, he induced a double play from Mookie Betts and then faced his Angels teammate, Mike Trout, with the game on the line. An 87-mph sweeper secured the final out, clinching Japan’s third WBC title.
Ohtani’s tournament wasn’t just about that final moment. He slashed .435/.606/.739 with four doubles, one home run, and eight RBIs as a designated hitter. On the mound, he allowed just two runs and five hits in 9 2/3 innings, winning both his starts and earning the save in the final. His performance made him an easy choice for MVP.
2017: Marcus Stroman, RHP, United States
Team USA broke through to win the 2017 WBC, largely thanks to Marcus Stroman’s stellar pitching. He delivered a signature performance in the final, tossing six shutout innings against Puerto Rico, allowing only one hit. This followed a previous loss to the same Puerto Rican team earlier in the tournament, where he battled through a rough first inning to finish strong.
Stroman finished the 2017 World Baseball Classic with a 2.35 ERA over 15 1/3 innings, solidifying his place as a key contributor to Team USA’s victory. You can find more information about the 2017 tournament at MLB.com/WBC.
2013: Robinson Canó, 2B, Dominican Republic
Robinson Canó led the Dominican Republic to its first and only World Baseball Classic title in 2013, going undefeated with an 8-0 record. Canó dominated offensively, leading the team in batting average (.469), on-base percentage (.514), and slugging (.781), while tying for the team lead in home runs (two) and RBIs (six). He was intentionally walked three times, a testament to his offensive prowess. This MVP award added to Canó’s impressive resume, making him one of the few players to win both a World Series and a World Baseball Classic.
2009 & 2006: Daisuke Matsuzaka, RHP, Japan
Daisuke Matsuzaka, affectionately known as “Dice-K,” was a dominant force for Samurai Japan, winning MVP honors in both 2006 and 2009. In 2009, he went 3-0 with a strong performance in the semifinal against Team USA. He also excelled in pool play, showcasing his impressive strikeout ability.
Matsuzaka holds several WBC records, including most strikeouts (23), starts (six), and wins (six). He won all six Classic games he started, cementing his legacy as one of the tournament’s biggest stars. His 2006 performance was equally impressive, going 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA and delivering a strong outing in the final against Cuba. Learn more about the history of the WBC at Baseball-Reference.com.
As the World Baseball Classic continues to captivate fans worldwide, these MVP performances will forever be remembered as defining moments in the tournament’s history.
