Andres Muñoz wants to play for Team Mexico

HOUSTON – Mariners closer Andres Muñoz is pitching like an All-Star and is arguably one of the best closers in the game right now. Less than a month away from the 95th MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta, El Plebe has a strong case to make his second trip to the Midsummer Classic.

The 2024 All-Star is tied for second in saves (18) with Astros closer Josh Hader in the American League. Royals closer Carlos Estevez, who has 19 saves, has more saves than Muñoz.

The native of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, is 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA. He has 38 strikeouts, and a .144 opponent batting average in 29 games. Moreover, the 26-year-old carries a 2.92 ERA+ and a 2.02 FIP.

Andres Muñoz was off to a great start to the season. He was named the American League’s March/April Reliever of the Month. Muñoz recorded 11 saves without giving up a run while allowing only six walks with 19 strikeouts in 15 innings in the first month of the season. He held opponents to a .106 batting average during the month.

Houston’s Daikin Park will play host to the World Baseball Classic for the first time next year. Pool B will feature five teams: Great Britain, Italy, Mexico, the United States and Brazil. Muñoz didn’t participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic because he had ankle surgery at the end of the 2022 season. He is looking forward for the opportunity to represent El Tri in 2026.

Q&A with Andres Muñoz

Lorenzo Delgado, the director of baseball content for Our Esquina, spoke with Muñoz regarding his desire to play for Team Mexico in the upcoming WBC.

Our Esquina – What does it mean to you to represent Team Mexico for the first time in your career in the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

Andres Muñoz – “That would be awesome. It would be a dream come true for me. Obviously we can’t say we’re going yet or can confirm yet. Of course I would love to go, and if I’m healthy and everything is in a good direction I will be there for sure.”

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OE – The World Baseball Classic will be played at Daikin Park for the first time. A lot of Latinos live in this community. What do you think the atmosphere would look like here?

Muñoz – “I think we will have a lot of people supporting us (Team Mexico) during the game. I’ve never played in a World Baseball Classic game, but I feel like the Mexican fans here and it would be awesome. Just having the support from them and giving everything for the name on the front of the jersey.”

Keeping it simple

OE – You have pitched really well this season so far. What has helped you get to where you’re at right now?

Muñoz – “Probably take everything day by day, pitch by pitch. Don’t think too much about the future or doesn’t think about what already past. Just staying in the moment. I think that has been the most important thing for me and just making adjustments. Everyday is different. Somedays we need to adjust some things and just be on top of that.”

OE – Where were you in 2022 when Team Mexico made that historic run and did you ever tell yourself ‘One day I’m going to be on that team?’

Muñoz – “Oh yeah. Of course! The last World Baseball Classic I was watching the game on the TV with my ankle. I had surgery on my ankle. One thing I would love to do one day is be there and represent my country.”