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    Meet Jake Gelof, the Dodgers prospect playing for Team Israel at 2026 World Baseball Classic

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    Jake Gelof is an up-and-coming infield prospect in the Los Agneels Dodgers organization.

    Gelof got his first taste of competitive baseball when he played for the Cape Henlopen High School in his home state of Delaware. He impressed, earning himself Academic All-Conference honors, being named Perfect Game’s top ranked overall baseball player and the No. 1 shortstop in Delaware’s class of 2020.

    He spent his final two years of high school at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, growing leaps and bounds as a player.

    After graduating high school, Jake chose to attend the University of Virginia, earning himself a starting spot at first base for the baseball team, while pursuing a course in Media Studies in tandem.

    Gelof was selected by the Dodgers as the 60th overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. He ultimately signed with the team for a $1,334,400 signing bonus.

    In late July the same year, the infielder made his first appearance for the Arizona Complex League Dodgers, and a promotion to Class-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes quickly followed. In 2025, Gelof played for the Great Lakes Loons, who compete at the High-A level.

    Though he has not made his big league debut yet, Gelof is currently in action on the biggest stage in international baseball, the World Baseball Classic, representing Team Israel.

    How is Jake Gelof eligible to represent Team Israel at the 2026 World Baseball Classic?

    Though he was born and raised in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Jake Gelof was raised Jewish by his parents Adam and Kelly Gelof. He also attended Hebrew school in the Seaside Jewish Community.

    Under Israel’s “Law of Return,” individuals with at least one Jewish parent or grandparent are eligible for citizenship.

    The World Baseball Classic also allows players to represent nations they are eligible to be citizens of, even though they might not actually have an active citizenship when the tournament takes place. This opened the door for Jake Gelof’s inclusion on Team Israel’s roster.

    The Law of Return has also allowed several other US-based players, such as Harrison Bader and Garrett Stubbs, to attain eligibilty for the tournament.