The 2026 World Baseball Classic has unearthed a new sensation, and his name is Lucas Ramirez. While his surname carries significant weight in baseball history, the 20-year-old outfielder made a name for himself as a star for Team Brazil even when that team was not able to win a single game in its pool.
In a tournament defined by national pride, Lucas provided one of its most cinematic moments. During a high-stakes showdown against the United States at Daikin Park, the young phenom sent a leadoff home run deep into the right-field seats off Logan Webb. The blast didn’t just cut the American lead; it served as a loud announcement that the next generation of the Ramirez family had arrived.
Watching from the stands was his father, the legendary Manny Ramirez. Ramirez senior is the two-time World Series champion and a cornerstone of the historic Boston Red Sox teams that featured Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz. Manny hit 555 career home runs. However, as Lucas rounded the bases wearing his father’s iconic number 24, Manny was simply a proud dad. “I was looking forward to him doing something special,” Manny told reporters, beaming with pride.
Lucas’s journey to the Brazilian national team is rooted in his heritage. His mother, Juliana Ramirez, was born and raised in São Paulo. By choosing to represent his mother’s homeland, Lucas has become a symbol of the growing reach of baseball in South America. He had been drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2024. He was incidental in Brazil making the WBC pool, and proved his mettle in the qualifying rounds, going 5-for-13 to help Brazil secure their spot on the world stage.
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Diario Libre
Fox Sports
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Houston Chronicle
USA Today
10 March 2026