6 former Rangers who still have ability to make impact in WBC during knockout stage

The World Baseball Classic knockout stage is here, and several former Rangers will have an opportunity to make an impact.

6 former Rangers who still have ability to make impact in WBC during knockout stage

C Liam Hicks - Canada

The Rangers selected Hicks in the ninth round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Arkansas State University. He never made it to the majors with Texas. The Rangers traded him to the Detroit Tigers for catcher Carson Kelly at the 2024 Trade Deadline. The Marlins selected Hicks, 26, in the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, and the catcher posted 1.3 bWAR and a 94 OPS+ over 119 games with Miami in 2025.

Catcher Bo Naylor started three pool-play games for Canada, with Hicks making his lone start in Canada's 3-2 win over Puerto Rico on Tuesday. Hicks went 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and a strikeout against the U.S. territory.

RHP Matt Festa - Italy

Festa, who had a 4.37 ERA across 22 2/3 innings with Texas in 2024, made two appearances during pool play. The righty threw a scoreless inning against Great Britain on Sunday, allowing one hit with two strikeouts. He then entered Italy's game against Team USA on Tuesday in the eighth inning, collecting two outs before surrendering a run on three straight singles.

RHP Michael Lorenzen - Italy

Lorenzen, who had a 3.81 ERA over 19 appearances (18 starts) with the Rangers in 2024, pitched a gem against a star-studded Team USA lineup on Tuesday, allowing just two hits and a walk while collecting two strikeouts over 4 2/3 scoreless innings en route to Italy's shocking 8-6 victory. If Italy continues to shock the baseball world by reaching the finals, Lorenzen would be lined up to start.

SS Thomas Saggese - Italy

Saggese, who was sent to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2023 as part of the Jordan Montgomery trade, went 0-for-6 at the plate during pool play.

RHP Dane Dunning - South Korea

Dunning, part of the Rangers' 2023 World Series team, will have a tough task if Korea uses him in relief against the Dominican Republic tonight. He pitched 1 2/3 innings against Taiwan on Saturday, allowing a gut-punching two-run homer to Stuart Fairchild, leading to a 5-4 win for Taiwan. The former Ranger bounced back in a must-win game, hurling a scoreless inning against Australia on Monday as Korea won 7-2.

RHP Albert Abreu - Dominican Republic

Abreu, who made seven appearances for Texas in 2022, threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts against the Netherlands on Sunday.