March 6, 2026

Team Israel’s Old Wave Keeps Growing

While this year’s team will bring 18 new faces to the spotlight, many familiar names have spent the past decade helping shape the game behind the scenes.

With three WBC tournaments, two qualifiers and an Olympic appearance under their belts, many former Team Israel players have taken on leading roles across the baseball world. In the years since those early rosters took the field, their influence has continued to spread throughout the sport — from MLB front offices to professional dugouts and college programs.

The Front Office Crew

Some of Team Israel’s earliest contributors now help build big-league rosters from the inside, serving in management roles throughout the league.

Sam Fuld (WBC: 2017): Named the Philadelphia Phillies’ general manager in Dec. 2020, Fuld began transitioning out of the role in Nov. 2024 and is slated to become the club’s president of business operations in May 2026 after completing his MBA at Wharton (University of Pennsylvania).

Craig Breslow (WBC Qualifier: 2016): After four seasons in the Chicago Cubs front office, the Yale alumnus joined the Boston Red Sox as chief baseball officer in Oct. 2023. After barely missing the playoffs in his first season, Breslow brought the BoSox back to October baseball in 2025 with a Wild Card berth.

Gabe Kapler (WBC Qualifier: 2013): The former MLB outfielder and manager joined the Miami Marlins in late 2023 as assistant general manager before earning a promotion to general manager in Nov. 2025.

Jeremy Bleich (WBC Qualifier: 2016, WBC: 2017, Olympics: 2020): Israel’s dependable lefty immediately followed his playing career with six seasons leading pitching development for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This past December, the Arizona Diamondbacks hired Bleich as assistant general manager.

Ian Kinsler (Olympics: 2020): The former Israel player and manager rejoined his original MLB team, the Texas Rangers, as a special assistant to the general manager in Feb. 2023.

Mike Meyers (WBC Qualifier: 2016, WBC: 2017): Since 2019, the center fielder has served as a scout for the Diamondbacks.

Jeff Urlaub (WBC Qualifier: 2013): An original Team Israel member, Urlaub has worked for the Oakland Athletics as a Four Corners area scout since 2019.

The On-Field Coaches

Other Sabras have stayed closer to the action, trading their playing days for leadership roles in professional dugouts.

Alon Leichman (Israel Baseball League: 2007, WBC Qualifier: 2013, Olympics: 2020): After three years as an assistant pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins, the Israeli-born right-hander now oversees a full MLB staff as the newly appointed pitching coach for the Colorado Rockies.

Nate Freiman (WBC Qualifier: 2013 & 2016, WBC: 2017): The towering 6-foot-8 first baseman has continued to channel his power into player development, guiding the Cleveland Guardians’ hitting instruction for the past five seasons, currently as their vice president of hitting.

Brad Goldberg (WBC Qualifier: 2016): The former White Sox relief pitcher has remained in the American League Central Division, serving as a pitching instructor for the Guardians since 2023. He was promoted to the team’s bullpen coach for the 2024 season and later became their assistant pitching coach prior to last season.

Ty Kelly (WBC: 2017 & 2023, Olympics: 2020): The veteran Sabra infielder joined the Tampa Bay Rays organization ahead of last season as the hitting coach for their rookie league team. Prior to this, he worked as a coach for the Seattle Mariners’ Triple-A squad.

Ryan Lavarnway (WBC Qualifier: 2016, WBC: 2017 & 2023, Olympics: 2020): Following his playing career, the Sabra catcher has served as a catching instructor for the Chicago Cubs, roving throughout their major league and minor league affiliates.

Blake Gailen (WBC Qualifier: 2016, WBC: 2017, Olympics: 2020): The veteran outfielder joined the Los Angeles Dodgers organization as a hitting instructor after his playing career. Last season, he served as hitting coach for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers.

The Culture Builders

Select former players have taken a different path, helping shape the sport’s culture beyond the diamond.

Shawn Green (WBC Qualifier: 2013): In 2014, the two-time MLB All-Star founded Greenfly, a sports-media technology platform that allows leagues to distribute photos and videos directly to teams and players for sharing on their social media accounts. The platform is now widely used across major sports leagues, including MLB, the NFL, the NHL, the PGA Tour and NASCAR.

Alex Katz (WBC Qualifier: 2016, WBC: 2017 & 2023, Olympics: 2020): The New York native founded Stadium Custom Kicks in 2017, which designs custom footwear for athletes across many sports. Many MLB players wear customized cleats from SCK, including superstars Juan Soto, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Elly De La Cruz.

The College Leaders

Lastly, several Israelis are now mentoring the next generation of ballplayers, leading some of the top Division I collegiate programs in the country.

Ben Orloff (WBC Qualifier: 2013): The former Israeli infielder has led UC Irvine as its head coach since the 2019 season, guiding the Anteaters to a 246–114 overall record heading into this year. During that span, an impressive 146 of his players have been selected in the MLB First-Year Player Draft.

David Kopp (WBC Qualifier: 2013): Since 2024, the right-handed pitcher has served as pitching coach for the University of Florida after a promotion following three years as a volunteer assistant coach.

Jack Marder (WBC Qualifier: 2013): The utilityman — who played significant time at catcher, infield and outfield — has served as an assistant coach at the University of Oregon since the 2020 season.

Together, these careers illustrate how the early rosters that helped establish Israel on the international baseball stage are continuing to influence the sport at every level.

_{By Israel Baseball News Staff, Chase Levitt}