WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC: POOL B - BRAZIL VS MEXICO

March 8, 2026

Daniel Yuicho Matsumoto

Leonardo Reginatto

Victor Mascai

Daikin Park

Team Brazil

Pregame Press Conference

Q. Leonardo, you played in 2013 and now -- how have you seen Brazilian baseball evolve from that WBC to this one? And just how is the WBC different from that one to this one?

LEONARDO REGINATTO: I think this year, unfortunately, we have some players that used to be active as a player, and now that's my case as well, including myself. I'm coaching already. And it's gotten a little harder to do both and prepare.

It's a short event. And we were playing against the best players in the world. But I think that's the biggest difference from 2013 to this year for us.

But I think we're doing a good job with the team that we have. We have put a good bat against USA and Italy. The game expanded a little bit towards the end, but I think so far we're doing a great job. And we have two more games to look for this victory today that we don't have yet in the WBC.

Q. What have you tried to teach or help the young guys with, like Lucas and Joseph?

LEONARDO REGINATTO: Just make sure that they are doing what they know how to do, like, not try to do too much. I know they don't have a lot of experience but they're good players. They have to believe in themselves and they're doing a great job.

I think Contreras and Lucas have a bright future. They're going to be, in my opinion, in the big leagues very soon. And I'll be cheering for them.

Q. Victor, can you talk a little bit about the home run against the U.S. two days ago and kind of especially what it meant to do in this ballpark in Houston?

VICTOR MASCAI: It was very special because four years ago I used to play for the minors in Houston. And right now I came and this dream came true. So it was a very special moment for me.

Q. Leonardo, you touched on it earlier, but with such a youth-heavy Brazil team, what are the vibes like for you getting to be kind of a mentor to some of those guys?

LEONARDO REGINATTO: It's definitely different than -- I have the responsibility to be the captain. All I'm trying to tell them is to just play the best they can, to just give 100 percent and forget about who we're playing against you.

I made a meeting the other day and just told them focus on what you need to do. If you keep thinking about fans and the games on TV and stuff like that, you're not thinking of what you need to do. Just simplify your mind, just focus on the game, focus on what I need to do. And when the ball comes to me, focus on what I'm going to need to do. And when I'm ready to hit, just simplify your mind. Don't think about too much. Just be yourself.