Former Hornets pitcher named to Brazil WBC team

Alabama State pitcher Caio Arajuo will be a member of the Brazil baseball team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He was honored on Wednesday prior to the Hornets’ game against the University of Alabama. (Courtesy Alabama State Athletics)

By GRAHAM DUNN

Former Alabama State pitcher Caio Arajuo has been selected to represent Brazil in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, becoming the first player in Alabama State University baseball history to compete in the prestigious international tournament.

Araujo will pitch for the Brazilian national team in Pool B play March 6-11 at Daikin Park in Houston.

Brazil opens tournament play Friday (March 6) at 7 p.m. CT against the United States and will also face Italy (March 7), Mexico (March 9) and Great Britain (March 10) during opening-round competition.

Araujo's selection marks a historic milestone for the Hornets program. He is the first Alabama State baseball student-athlete to earn a spot in the World Baseball Classic and is one of only two players from the Southwestern Athletic Conference competing in this year's tournament. Araujo is also the only Brazilian-born NCAA Division I baseball player.

When previously asked about the opportunity to compete in the World Baseball Classic, Araujo said it would be an honor to represent his country on baseball's global stage.

“What an opportunity for me,” he said. “Very few have this chance to represent their country.”

Brazil secured its place in the 2026 WBC field by advancing through the 2025 qualifiers in Tucson. The top two teams from Pool B will move on to the quarterfinal round, also held in Houston.

Arajuo spent two years at ASU after being a two-time All-American at John Wood Community College in Quincy, Ill.

He made 21 appearances as a reliever in 2024, going 3-1 with a save in 39 innings of work. He was named the SWAC Pitcher of the Week once during the season.

Arajuo was sidelined all of 2025 with an arm injury.

Arajuo was also a member of Brazil’s team in the Pan American games in 2015, winning a Bronze medal.