WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL D - NETHERLANDS VS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

March 8, 2026

Brayan Bello

LoanDepot Park

Team Dominican Republic

Pregame Press Conference

Q. I would like to talk about a very special topic for you as a pitcher. We were talking to Cristopher, and he said he didn't know so many young players, and that was an issue for him. What kind of plan do you put together with the pitching coach in order to face those hitters that you don't know? Can you tell us about that process specifically?

BRAYAN BELLO: Yes, there are so many players that we don't have information about. We do have information about other hitters. But as a team we have some scouts or something like that that provide some reports about the players, and that's what we use to work.

You are right, there's some players that we don't know that much. But we have to go out and use the pitches and the repertoire that we have.

Q. Pujols was speaking about the stress of Cristopher Sanchez and Severino pitching in this kind of tournament and representing your country. You as a pitcher, how do you deal with that when you go to the mound?

BRAYAN BELLO: I try not to get stressed. I try to stay calm and focused. This is a very short tournament, so I try to go out, to compete. But that's it. I try not to get stressed and stay calm and relaxed.

Q. Are you excited for tomorrow? Are you prepared and focused?

BRAYAN BELLO: Of course. We are very excited. Both physically and mentally we are well-prepared, and we are just expecting to get Israel's lineup to study it and to know how to attack them.

Q. I have seen you talking to Pedro Martinez. You are a superstar. You are a very talented guy. Has Pedro given you any specific tips that you have learned something that you needed to know in terms of pitching? Because we're speaking about one of the best pitchers ever. Any tips from Pedro Martinez?

BRAYAN BELLO: We have been working in the Dominican Republic during Spring Training. I had some problems during the training, but so far actually we haven't had that conversation specifically about pitching.

I play in the majors. I need to feel good, physically and mechanically, to go out and compete.

Q. You are only 26 and you have a contract. You are now a starter for your country in the World Baseball Classic. Anyone special that you would like to highlight today? Have you reflected about this? Any gratitude to God or anybody special?

BRAYAN BELLO: Everything that happens in this world and to us is because of God. I always thank daddy God for these opportunities. I thank Him for the opportunities and the good things that I have had in professional baseball. So I'm very happy with myself, with Him. It's a long way, and many good things are going to happen to me.

Q. Last year you said your goal for this year was to be part of the team for the World Baseball Classic and to pitch at least 200 innings in the MLB. What are your expectations to face Israel? Is it difficult to face that team?

BRAYAN BELLO: As someone said before in a previous question, we don't know all the players or the hitters. I know two or three of them. This is more difficult, of course, since we don't have all the information about the hitters. But I just want to go out and to compete, to use my repertoire, my slider, my sinker, et cetera.

Like you said, I just want to break my record and to pitch 200 innings. God willing, I will make it this year.

Q. Knowing the job that you have to do on the mound to get outs, et cetera, how comfortable is it for you to know that you have a very strong offense on the Dominican team, and especially the defense of the guys so that you can do your job in a more comfortable way?

BRAYAN BELLO: We have a great team. You are more confident. You go out knowing that they will score at least five, six, seven runs. Of course, respecting the other team. But we know our team, and with my pitches, with my repertoire, of course I am more confident than three years ago. I have now more experience, and today, yes, I am much better.

Q. What's your message to young people today? Because you made your dream, which is representing the Dominican Republic. You have seen the result achieved by your teammates. Even when they are stars, they have been in trouble, but they have been able to solve those problems.

BRAYAN BELLO: To these guys that are dreaming about being in the majors or to be in a World Baseball Classic like myself, what I tell them is never give up. Have a strong mindset and keep wishing to be here. Never give up. Never give up. It's a very short way, when many people say this is a very long way.

Q. Pitching in the majors and pitching tomorrow representing your country, where do you put this moment?

BRAYAN BELLO: I mean, at the highest place, thank God. Being here with all these superstars pitching in the Classic, which is a very demanding tournament, trying to bring the crown to our country, yes, this is the highest level.

Q. The communication that you have had with Austin Wells, a new catcher for you, I know that you worked with him in the DR. Having the communication with him so far, how do you communicate with that catcher?

BRAYAN BELLO: We haven't had that conversation. Of course, we chat, we talk to the catchers about the pitches that we have and stuff, you know. So far, I don't know who I am going to work tomorrow with, which catcher. Maybe we'll find out today, I don't know.

Q. Having Pujols as your manager, being close to him, what's the impact? What's the influence?

BRAYAN BELLO: Having him managing us is a great experience for all. He's a great person and great human being. We are learning a lot with him.

Q. (No microphone.)

BRAYAN BELLO: We are like brothers in the team. We just have to study to be all on the same page. If they say that he is the catcher, we'll speak in the afternoon. We'll study every hitter to see how we are going to pitch tomorrow.