University of Houston Athletics
Photo by: Mario Terrana
Antoine Jean Picked for Team Canada’s World Baseball Classic Roster
2/6/2026 1:10:00 PM | Baseball
2025 Houston product returns to international stage for first time since 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup
HOUSTON – Houston Baseball legend Antoine Jean will represent Canada on one of baseball's biggest stages. The former Cougar standout, who was drafted by the Rockies in the seventh round of the 2025 MLB Draft, will don the maple leaf for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
The World Baseball Classic throws its first pitch on March 5. Canada joins Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba and Colombia in Pool A, which plays its games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Jean and Team Canada play their first game on March 7, a 10 a.m. CT tilt against Colombia.
A consensus All-American, Jean finished the 2025 season with 12 scoreless relief appearances and 13 outings with 5+ strikeouts. Jean became the first relief pitcher to win Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2025 and was Houston's second 100+ strikeout reliever in program history. The lefty posted 12 scoreless relief appearances and 13 5+ strikeout outings, while his 110 strikeouts were the most by a Cougar since 2018.
In addition to those conference ranks, Jean was second nationally in strikeouts per nine (14.78) and hits allowed per nine (5.37), eighth in WHIP (0.90) 17th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.50) 18th in ERA (2.55) and 19th in total strikeouts (110).
The southpaw was one of just two relief pitchers in the country to be named to all five major All-America teams (Baseball America, NCBWA, ABCA, Perfect Game and College Baseball Foundation) and was joined by Arizona's Tony Pluta. The All-American led the Big 12 in ERA, hits allowed per nine, strikeout-to-walk ratio, strikeouts per nine, and WHIP while finishing second in total strikeouts and sixth in saves.
After wrapping up his collegiate career, Jean was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of last year's draft. He signed with the team and was assigned to the Arizona Complex League Rockies, a rookie-level affiliate. The World Baseball Classic will be his first competitive action since concluding his career with the Cougars last year.
Jean previously played with the Canadians at the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup, helping the squad to a sixth-place finish in South Korea. He made two appearances at the games, including a start against Australia.
SUPPORT THE COUGARS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at @uhcougarbb.
– UHCougars.com –
The World Baseball Classic throws its first pitch on March 5. Canada joins Puerto Rico, Panama, Cuba and Colombia in Pool A, which plays its games at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Jean and Team Canada play their first game on March 7, a 10 a.m. CT tilt against Colombia.
A consensus All-American, Jean finished the 2025 season with 12 scoreless relief appearances and 13 outings with 5+ strikeouts. Jean became the first relief pitcher to win Big 12 Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2025 and was Houston's second 100+ strikeout reliever in program history. The lefty posted 12 scoreless relief appearances and 13 5+ strikeout outings, while his 110 strikeouts were the most by a Cougar since 2018.
In addition to those conference ranks, Jean was second nationally in strikeouts per nine (14.78) and hits allowed per nine (5.37), eighth in WHIP (0.90) 17th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (5.50) 18th in ERA (2.55) and 19th in total strikeouts (110).
The southpaw was one of just two relief pitchers in the country to be named to all five major All-America teams (Baseball America, NCBWA, ABCA, Perfect Game and College Baseball Foundation) and was joined by Arizona's Tony Pluta. The All-American led the Big 12 in ERA, hits allowed per nine, strikeout-to-walk ratio, strikeouts per nine, and WHIP while finishing second in total strikeouts and sixth in saves.
After wrapping up his collegiate career, Jean was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of last year's draft. He signed with the team and was assigned to the Arizona Complex League Rockies, a rookie-level affiliate. The World Baseball Classic will be his first competitive action since concluding his career with the Cougars last year.
Jean previously played with the Canadians at the 2019 U-18 Baseball World Cup, helping the squad to a sixth-place finish in South Korea. He made two appearances at the games, including a start against Australia.
SUPPORT THE COUGARS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Baseball by providing NIL opportunities and by joining the Dugout Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Baseball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Baseball. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at @uhcougarbb.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
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