March 24, 2026 – Miami, FL – This month, Learn Fresh and the MLB Players Trust hosted the fifth annual MLB Players STEM League Global Championship alongside the World Baseball Classic in Miami, Florida. The three-day immersive experience welcomed students, families, and chaperones for competition, learning, and connection. This year’s championship title went to a Miami-based sibling trio – Sanjeev, Eliana, and Sean – who delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament.
Twenty-six students competed in this year’s tournament, including participants from Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, South Korea, and Japan. Notably, this year’s Japanese representatives earned their spot by winning the Tokyo Regional Tournament early this winter, defeating an 11th-grade team as fourth graders. For many students, this was their first time traveling outside their home state or country.
Students were welcomed on Thursday evening with a reception dinner, where they met their peers and teammates for the first time. After icebreakers and introductions, teams collaborated to create team names before drafting players for the tournament.
On Friday morning, students arrived at Florida International University (FIU), where the opening rounds kicked off with three round-robin seeding games that determined placement heading into the final rounds. Following the games, students traveled to the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, where they enjoyed a planetarium show and explored the museum’s five levels, from stingray touch pools to exploring flight through paper airplanes.
That evening, students and families made their way to LoanDepot Park for a World Baseball Classic quarterfinal matchup between Korea and the Dominican Republic. The energy was palpable from the moment they arrived at the stadium, with families stopping for photos and taking in the atmosphere. Inside, the crowd came alive with cheers, drums, and nonstop excitement as the Dominican Republic secured a 7-0 victory, advancing to the semifinals. Many students in this year’s tournament had ties to the Dominican Republic, making the win especially meaningful to celebrate together. After a full day of excitement, everyone returned to their hotels to rest ahead of the following day’s final rounds.
Back on FIU’s campus, Saturday’s final rounds began with teams walking in one by one to cheers from the crowd. Participants and spectators were welcomed by Learn Fresh CEO and Co-Founder Nick Monzi, alongside MLB Players Trust Director of Programs Jason Cantor, who shared remarks recognizing the students’ hard work and the communities supporting them. Before gameplay kicked off, students received a surprise video message from some of their favorite MLB players, including Corbin Carroll and Will Benson, wishing them luck as they headed into the finals.
Teams were then ready to compete, playing in a single-elimination bracket based on their seeding from the opening rounds. Entering as the fifth seed out of 12 teams, “The Killer Whales” faced a challenging path but rose to the occasion. This was the first year a trio team had competed. They selected an all-Dominican roster to reflect their blended family’s cultural background. Sanjeev and Eliana led early gameplay, while their brother Sean cheered them on from the sidelines, offering strategic insights and stepping in as a substitute during alternate rounds.
After a hard-fought semifinal, they advanced to face “The Powerful Latino Stars,” represented by Jimena (Florida) and Leo (Mexico). The finals came down to the wildcards, which shifted the course of the game, as “The Killer Whales” secured a final winning run to claim the title of 2026 Global Champions.
The awards ceremony recognized each student, as well as the tournament winners and runner-ups, with special honors for sportsmanship and most runs scored.
Afterwards, students greeted representatives from FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing outside to enjoy a STEM activation, exploring physics with water rockets and mechanical engineering with go-karts.
After a full day of learning and competing, students and families boarded the bus one last time to enjoy a Spring Training game at CACTI Park. Upon arrival, students were surprised with a meet-and-greet with Houston Astros’ star, Carlos Correa! Students were ecstatic, collecting signatures and snapping selfies. They then rejoined their families in the stands to enjoy the game as the weekend came to an end.
Beyond the competition, the Championship weekend highlighted the power of baseball and STEM to bring students together across cultures. Students navigated language barriers with creativity and determination, making sure each participant felt comfortable and part of the experience. These moments reflect the impact beyond the tournament—it creates a space where students from different backgrounds connect, build confidence, and develop a sense of belonging.
Congratulations to all the student participants in this year’s Global Championship! To view the full photo album, click here.
2026 MLB Players STEM League Global Championship Winners:
Runner-Ups:
Sportsmanship Awards:
Most Runs Scored Awards:
*Most runs scored calculated from both opening and final rounds
About MLB Players STEM League:
The MLB Players STEM League program, launched in partnership with MLB Players Trust in 2022, is a baseball-inspired STEM program for middle-school students. Designed in a board game format and aligned with curriculum standards, the program captures the energy of baseball while offering students an engaging way to strengthen their math skills. Since its inception in the United States, the program has expanded to serve students in Latin America, and most recently in South Korea and Japan as of 2024. During the current season alone, the program has reached more than 200 educators and over 20,000 students worldwide.
Students participating in the Global Championship earned their spots through a competitive qualification process. To apply, students must achieve All-Star Student status, demonstrating significant academic growth, strong sportsmanship, and resilience in overcoming challenges both inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, students must complete a minimum of 10 MLB Players STEM League games (each game consisting of approximately 15 minutes of gameplay).
If you’re interested in bringing this program to your learning environment, sign up for training here.