Historic 2017 Classic smashes event records
Fourth tournament sets marks for attendance, TV ratings and more

The 2017 World Baseball Classic has reached its conclusion, and the returns say the tournament was one for the history books.

The fourth installment of the Classic set new event records for attendance, television ratings, digital consumption and merchandise sales, Major League Baseball announced Thursday.

The tournament concluded Wednesday night with the United States defeating Puerto Rico, 8-0, in the championship final in front of 3.1 million American television viewers across MLB Network, ESPN Deportes and a Spanish language simulcast on ESPN2 -- a new record for any single Classic game.

Overall, the tournament set several telecast records. MLB announced that domestic viewership in the U.S. increased by 32 percent over the most recent installment in 2013. Roughly 2.3 million Americans tuned in to MLB Network alone to watch Wednesday's final, making it the second-most-watched telecast in the network's history behind Game 2 of the '16 National League Division Series between the Cubs and Giants.

An additional 761,000 watched either ESPN Desportes or the Spanish language simulcast on ESPN2 for the final on Wednesday, making it the biggest U.S. audience for a Spanish language telecast of a baseball game in history. And Americans certainly weren't the only ones tuning in; a staggering 70 percent of all televisions in Puerto Rico were set to the championship game. Furthermore, Japan's first three opening-round games ranked as the highest-rated television programs in the home country that week, and viewership in the Dominican Republic for the national team's games increased 10 percent over the 2013 tournament that the Dominicans won.

Television was far from the only record-setting area for WBC '17. A total of 1,086,720 fans attended Classic games at ballparks around the globe, a 23 percent increase from 2013 as the event passed one million in attendance for the first time. That included a crowd of 51,565 for the final at Dodger Stadium, the second-most-attended matchup in tournament history. Japanese baseball fans packed the stands the most, setting new pool attendance records with 209,072 for the second round and 206,534 attending first-round play, both at the Tokyo Dome.

On the digital side, MLB.TV subscribers consumed a record 70 million minutes of Classic coverage and web traffic to WorldBaseballClassic.com rose 41 percent as compared to the 2013 tournament. Classic merchandise sales also rose by a full 50 percent on MLBShop.com over the previous tournament.

DON'T HAVE TO CONVINCE ME

After going 4-2 in the tournament in pool play, Team USA triumphed over Japan and then Puerto Rico en route to winning the 2017 WBC

Thrilling Classic leaves strong impression
Tournament a hit with fans, players as game grows globally

LOS ANGELES -- Late Wednesday, Dodger Stadium's pristine lawn looked like your local high school football field in those proud, sentimental moments after commencement. Families hugged and snapped photographs as friends parted without knowing for certain when they'd meet again.

Team USA had just earned its first World Baseball Classic title, with an 8-0 victory over previously unbeaten Puerto Rico. After the American players sprayed champagne in the clubhouse, a trace of melancholy hung in the jubilant air.

David Robertson, who recorded the final three outs, described the ninth as the "saddest, happiest inning I've ever pitched." And if you take the time to understand why, then you'll appreciate the potential legacy of WBC 2017.

The occasion for joy was obvious: Robertson had preserved the most significant international baseball triumph in his country's history, in an enthralling tournament that erased any doubt as to the Classic's long-term viability.

The element of sorrow was equally poignant: With every pitch, Robertson nudged Team USA closer to its inevitable breakup. Once Nolan Arenado fielded Carlos Correa's ground ball and threw across the diamond to Eric Hosmer, this charismatic, captivating team had no more games to play.

And that stung.

"I've had some players already tell me this is the greatest experience of their life," Team USA manager Jim Leyland said, after the final game of what's likely to be a Hall of Fame career. "We had the right players. We had players that wanted to be here, and that's the kind of players you want."
Jim Leyland dedicates Team USA's first ever World Baseball Classic victory to the men and women of the Armed Forces

In other words, the Classic mattered to them. It took less than three weeks for Team USA to become ... well ... a team.

And so after four installments of the tournament, the Classic's cognizance has arrived at a crucial inflection point, at least domestically: Many U.S. players who weren't on the 28-man roster now wish they had received invitations -- or had responded differently when asked. Major League Baseball Players Association executive director Tony Clark acknowledged the latter point during a joint news conference Wednesday with Commissioner Rob Manfred.

Previously, critics said the World Baseball Classic would achieve relevancy in the U.S. once Major Leaguers cared enough to feel disappointed if they weren't involved. That has happened. It is now cool to play for your country. With consecutive wins over Japan and Puerto Rico, Team USA transformed the tournament's stateside profile while opening up competitive and commercial possibilities.

Intrigued by an All-Star break or out-of-season friendly game (or series) between the U.S. and Japan? Or another showdown between the Americans and the Dominican Republic? Those concepts are more credible now than they were a month ago, as a way to perpetuate the involvement of Major Leaguers with the national team and sustain the international fan fervor that created electric ballpark environments from Miami to Tokyo.

If you watched the 2017 World Baseball Classic, there's a really good chance you enjoyed it. And more of you watched it than ever before, based on attendance figures and television ratings. "Momentum" was one word Manfred used Wednesday in describing what 2017 has meant in the Classic's evolution.
Take a look at the best sounds and images of the last few weeks of the 2017 World Baseball Classic with the help of Skip Marley

And by the way, a tightening in the competitive field is part of that growth: As emphatic as Team USA's victory was in the championship game, the Americans needed to score on a wild pitch to force extra innings against Colombia in their tournament opener. Wednesday's win will help Team USA's recruiting effort in four years -- but repeating as champion is another matter.

Speaking of which: Based on comments by Manfred and Clark, all signs point to a renewal of the Classic in 2021. Between now and then, we could see MLB games in Mexico and Europe, among other potential destinations. Baseball will return to the Olympics in Tokyo in '20, although MLB's stance on player participation remains unclear.

In that way, it's too early to gauge all that is possible as a result of a memorable 2017 Classic and the Americans who won it. But we know we're going to miss watching them, and they will miss playing with each other. At least they have golden reminders of their time together.

David Robertson shuts the door to help the United States clinch their first World Baseball Classic title with an 8-0 win over Puerto Rico

American Beauty: USA dominates PR in final

LOS ANGELES -- The stars of American baseball have finally earned their World Baseball Classic stripes.

The United States got a brilliant pitching performance from starter and WBC 2017 MVP Marcus Stroman and plenty of offense from its All-Star-packed lineup of Major League luminaries to beat Puerto Rico, 8-0, in the championship game of the 2017 Classic on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.

After three World Baseball Classics dating back to the inaugural tournament in 2006 in which Team USA never made it past the semifinals, the Americans won their first title in decisive style in front of a raucous, bipartisan crowd of 51,565 in Chavez Ravine.

To a man, the Americans said it was just a matter of time.

"We had to get off the schneid there," said Stroman, who didn't give up a hit until the seventh inning and finished with six-plus scoreless frames to nab the MVP honors. "Obviously our goal was to win it; every single person showed up to practice that first day with that mentality. We didn't just want to go out early or anything; we just wanted to show that baseball is passionate in America, and that's what we were able to do."
Team USA pitcher Marcus Stroman receives the MVP for the 2017 World Baseball Classic

This American team, with a lineup stacked with sluggers, a solid bullpen and a stable of starters that might not have been all No. 1s but ended up more than up to the historic task, bonded from the beginning under manager Jim Leyland and ended up savoring every moment of the two-week run.
Team USA beats Puerto Rico 8-0 to win the 2017 World Baseball Classic championship

"This was a great experience," Leyland said. "It was a great event. It was obviously a very special moment. … But it was just a wonderful experience being with all these players from different organizations. I believe we got through it totally healthy, totally happy, and we're the winners."

The United States had to beat a tough, passionate and together Puerto Rico team to accomplish the feat. The Puerto Ricans, bonded with blond-dyed hairdos and playing with demonstrative fervor in front of noisy fans who traveled well, came into the final undefeated, having won all seven of their games and having defeated the U.S. earlier. But they ran into an epic pitching performance.
Angel Pagan slices a double into the left-field corner, collecting Puerto Rico's first hit in the top of the 7th inning

Stroman, who was varying timing and altering his delivery with some tricky hesitation moves, had faced the minimum number of batters until Angel Pagan led off the seventh with a double. He finished his night of work in an economical 73 pitches in a start for which his limit was 95.

"He was spectacular," Puerto Rico third baseman Carlos Correa said. "He kept us off-balance all night. He did a great job. You have to give him credit."
Team Puerto Rico third baseman Carlos Correa discusses his team's path to the World Baseball Classic final and how proud he is of the squad

Ian Kinsler got the scoring started in the third inning against Puerto Rico starter Seth Lugo. After Jonathan Lucroy led off the inning with a single, Kinsler hit a two-run home run that cleared the left-center-field wall over the head of Enrique Hernandez.
Christian Yelich lines a single to right field, plating a run to put Team USA up 3-0 and force opposing starter Seth Lugo out of the game

Team USA added two runs in the fifth on RBI singles by Christian Yelich and Andrew McCutchen and padded the lead in the seventh, batting around for three runs on three hits, two walks and a hit batter. Brandon Crawford had the big hit -- a two-out, two-RBI single -- and Giancarlo Stanton followed with an RBI knock of his own.
Brandon Crawford cashes in on a bases-loaded opportunity, lining a single up the middle to score two runs, putting USA up 6-0 in the 7th

The Americans added their eighth run in the eighth, and Leyland called on David Robertson to finish out the ninth. Robertson preserved the shutout with a scoreless inning, and Team USA celebrated on the pitcher's mound.

"We knew that guys were going to go out there and do our job," Yelich said. "We were talking before the game that there's no way we lose this. We just couldn't see a scenario where we lost this tournament.
Outfielder Christian Yelich talks about winning the World Baseball Classic and his great experience playing for Team USA

"All throughout it we were confident, and we just knew that if we went out and did what we had to do, we were going to come out on top."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Kinsler connects: Kinsler's homer was his first of the tournament, and it came at a crucial time, with both teams failing to hit balls particularly hard in the first two innings. Kinsler got the crowd into the game and gave Stroman the early support he was looking for while getting to Lugo, who looked sharp in the opening frames.
Ian Kinsler clobbers a two-run homer over the left-center-field wall to open the scoring in the top of the 3rd inning

Insurance in the fifth: Not that they necessarily needed it with a 2-0 lead and with Stroman in full domination mode, but the Americans put together a scrappy situational inning of offense in the top of the fifth to effectively put away the game. Yelich's RBI single chased Lugo, and three batters later, McCutchen's ground ball went far enough into the hole between third and shortstop for Francisco Lindor's throw to come in too late and for Yelich to score Team USA's fourth run.
Despite Francisco Lindor's fantastic diving effort, Andrew McCutchen reaches safely on an infield single, plating Christian Yelich

An all-Crawford inning: Stroman cruised into the fifth inning having not allowed a hit and facing the minimum number of batters. His sixth inning continued in much the same way as the first five, with quick ground-ball outs. And it didn't hurt his cause that his shortstop, reigning National League Gold Glove Award winner Crawford, fielded all three groundouts in the fifth.
Brandon Crawford ranges to his right for a grounder, backhands and throws from deep shortstop to retire Carlos Beltran for the first out

Stroman takes a bow: The main question regarding Team USA's spectacular starter on Wednesday was how far he could take his no-no and if he would have to be pulled because of his pitch limit in the midst of possibly making history. The fifth pitch of Pagan's at-bat in the seventh erased that storyline, and Leyland immediately popped out of the dugout to sensibly end Stroman's night. Stroman exited the field to a standing ovation and pounded his glove in excitement before descending the dugout steps.
Marcus Stroman limits Puerto Rico to one hit over six-plus innings, departing to a thunderous ovation in the World Baseball Classic final

QUOTABLE

"I had the honor of managing for our country, the coaches had the honor of coaching for our country, and the players had the honor of playing for our country. But this is for the men and women that serve our country." -- Leyland
Jim Leyland dedicates Team USA's first ever World Baseball Classic victory to the men and women of the Armed Forces

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Stroman's six-plus scoreless innings dropped the combined ERA of the American starting rotation from 1.50 to 1.25. U.S. starters gave up five earned runs on 25 hits in 36 innings. No American starter allowed a home run. The rotation began the tournament by going 17 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

In the top of the second inning, with Eric Hosmer on first base and one out, Crawford lined out to Lindor, who threw back to first base for an attempt at an inning-ending double play. Hosmer dove back to the bag and was ruled safe, but Puerto Rico manager Edwin Rodriguez asked for a review. The call stood after a review of one minute, 14 seconds.

Katz, Goldberg relish Classic experience

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Prior to taking part in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, White Sox Minor Leaguer Alex Katz was pitching on the back fields of Camelback Ranch. "There were five, 10 people watching," Katz said. "Then a couple of weeks later I'm throwing in front of 50,000 fans. I think I was more nervous throwing on the back field in front of five or 10 people than the 50,000, which is crazy. It was unbelievable." Katz, a 22-year-old left-hander who was taken in the 27th round of the 2015 Draft, pitched for Team Israel in the Brooklyn Qualifier and then in both rounds of the World Baseball Classic in Korea and Japan. Brad Goldberg, who took part in his first big league camp this Spring Training, picked up two saves in the Brooklyn Qualifier, and then joined the team again in Japan, where Israel was eliminated. The experience for both of the hurlers not only stands as one they always will remember, but also one capable of enhancing their White Sox work as they move forward. "The Minor Leagues don't really prepare you for the dog and pony show of the big leagues from the standpoint of the big stadium, the three decks, all the people," said Goldberg, who made two scoreless appearances in Japan. "I've always wondered what it's like to pitch in front of all those people. The fact I can do it and have success, it gives me clarity that I know my stuff can play. That was a big thing for me." "It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we went into it with a lot of confidence," said Katz, who made four scoreless appearances. "A lot of people besides us did not believe in us, but we went out there and played our game, and did pretty well. It definitely had a major impact on Israel and baseball in Israel. We hope the game spreads drastically over the next couple of years."
Inciarte back in action with Braves after Classic

"I had a chance to play a lot of real games, where you put 100-percent effort out there," Inciarte said. "I'm not going to lie, I was looking forward to coming back and playing with [the Braves], because I'm looking forward to what this year brings." Along with treasuring the opportunity to spend a couple of weeks playing with Miguel Cabrera, Jose Altuve, Carlos Gonzalez and some of Venezuela's other top stars, Inciarte believes he could benefit from the opportunity he had to be introduced to highly competitive atmospheres and situations within the month of March.
D-backs expect to have Goldy back in camp Friday
First baseman was part of Team USA's championship-winning squad in 2017 WBC

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- After playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is expected to report back to camp Friday. Team USA won its first World Baseball Classic championship by beating Puerto Rico, 8-0, on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium. Goldschmidt last appeared in a game last Friday. "I know he'll be ready for the season," Lovullo said. "He probably would have had more at-bats had he been here, we all know that. But he was doing something pretty special for his country, and we respect that. "I know that he was working hard behind the scenes to make sure that he stayed ready, so it's a non-issue for me. I know he wishes he would've played, but he supported his team and they won the championship, and that's what it's all about."
Archer: USA win 'fantastic,' shows deep talent
Rays righty excited about nation's World Baseball Classic victory

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Chris Archer couldn't stay awake until the end of Team USA's 8-0 win over Puerto Rico to win the World Baseball Classic, but the right-hander was happy about the result on Thursday morning. "It's fantastic," Archer said. "I think it shows the level of talent that USA has. You know, people were upset because player X, Y or Z weren't there, and we still won. "People were upset because [Clayton] Kershaw and [Madison] Bumgarner and whoever else weren't there. But starting pitchers had a one-point-something ERA." Archer started for Team USA in its opening game against Colombia, retiring the 12 batters he faced on 41 pitches. He then returned to Rays camp. When asked if he felt like he was still a part of the team, Archer said, "As much as one could." "I didn't have 50,000 fans chanting, 'USA! USA!' or 'MVP,' but I feel like I was a part of it," Archer said. "I wish I could have been there, but I don't know if I could have done much better than the starter did." Marcus Stroman started for Team USA on Wednesday night and carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning en route to Most Valuable Player honors. Archer noted that he was "ecstatic" for his friend. "Especially with the way he bounced back from the previous start against the same team," Archer said. "He's a big-time pitcher. So I'm looking forward to hopefully facing him in the playoffs this year."
Bogaerts ahead of schedule after circling globe

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts traveled the world these last few weeks, from Korea to Japan to Arizona to Los Angeles. But that long and winding road took him back to the Red Sox on Thursday, where he started at shortstop and went 1-for-4 in a 10-7 win over the Pirates. It was the first Grapefruit League game for Bogaerts since his return from the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday night. Bogaerts played third base for a Netherlands squad that advanced all the way to the semifinals before a crushing ouster in 11 innings against Puerto Rico on Monday. "It's good to be back, but I had a good time with my friends that I grew up with," said Bogaerts. "The tournament was a blast. I went over to the other side of the world and saw some nice things." And now Bogaerts has 10 days to get re-acclimated to his main position of shortstop.
In many ways, the high-stakes environment Bogaerts played in served him well in terms of being ready for Opening Day. "I feel pretty good," said Bogaerts. "I think I'm a bit more ahead than where I normally am, probably because those games we had to go all out. We had to be on point with them. I felt really good out there. Just going back to shortstop now is much better, though." As far as playing for his country, it was an experience Bogaerts was able to savor far more than in 2013, when he was 20 years old and still months away from making his Major League debut. "This time around was much better because I was so nervous. I was so young last time," Bogaerts said. "This time I feel as more of a grown guy now, playing with all the guys I grew up with that are playing in the big leagues. Guys that I played with in the first tournament -- Andruw Jones was a player, now he's a bench coach. Being around guys like that meant a lot."
Post-Classic Yelich emerges a leader
Team USA's win gives outfielder heightened profile, exposure

JUPITER, Fla. -- Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton will return to Spring Training this weekend with World Baseball Classic championship medals and baseball experiences of a lifetime. After being part of Team USA's title team, the two Miami outfielders now know what it takes to win on a big baseball stage. Yelich, who hit third in a star-studded lineup, said after the United States defeated Puerto Rico on Wednesday: "It's the most fun I've ever had on a baseball field." As Yelich and Stanton were playing for Team USA, their Miami teammates followed their every at-bats. Right-hander Tom Koehler said the players had a group text message, and they would repeatedly correspond throughout the tournament. "Every time [Yelich] got a hit, we were like, 'Look at this guy,'" Koehler said. "Getting that taste of winning, and being on that stage he was on, he's going to expect that from us now. He's going to want to do that again. Him and [Stanton], I think that's going to pay huge dividends for the us going forward." Yelich's strong showing in the Classic not only raised his profile, but also his stature in the Marlins' clubhouse. "I think it's the greatest thing that could have happened for us, selfishly," Koehler said. "Now, Yelly got a taste of what it feels like to be on a huge stage, and basically be a leader on a team full of superstars. You saw that guy out there playing with so much emotion. "You can't play like that for a full season, he'd be exhausted. But he took another step as far as guys are going to be looking at him in here. He's no longer the young, quiet guy in the corner. He took whole different step. "The guy can flat out play. Whether you want to be a leader or not, when you're one of the team's best players, people expect you to lead."
Machado savors World Baseball Classic run
Orioles 3B returns to camp, looks forward to next tournament in 2021

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Manny Machado is back from the World Baseball Classic, and he had a delightful time playing for the Dominican Republic. "It's fun to be back and be back with the guys and get ready for the season. It was an exciting time at the World Baseball Classic and something I'll never forget," Machado said. "It was a great experience; great memories taken from that. But now I'm excited to get back and try to create some new ones this year with the team that we've got here." "Just everything overall, the overall experience of being a part of the team, trying to represent your country and be around the guys that I was around," Machado said. "I don't have one particular moment. I think just the whole overall experience was great." For most fans, the moment that stood out was when Machado's O's teammate, Adam Jones, denied him a home run with a terrific catch. Machado topped the moment by doffing his helmet and saluting Jones. "He's a great player. He's representing his country, trying to do everything, laying it out on the field every day like he does when he's here," Machado said of Jones. "He made a hell of a catch. I mean, it was unbelievable. It was one of the best catches I've ever seen him make, or ever seen being made. "Unfortunately, he robbed me, but better him than somebody else. But I'm going to be watching him [in Wednesday night's championship game vs. Puerto Rico], rooting for him doing what he needs to do. I know he's enjoyed, definitely, the whole experience and enjoyed everything about it. At the end of the day, we're all trying to represent ourselves and represent our country the right way, and I think that's what we did out there." Even though his Classic is over, Machado is ready for 2021. "One hundred percent. Sign me up already. Right now. It was just unbelievable, the whole experience. The fans that were out there [in] San Diego, Miami. They came to watch baseball. This is how baseball is supposed to be played," Machado said. "They were into the game, every pitch, every moment, supporting us, and I think we thrive off of that. If it was up to me, I would do it every year and go and try and represent our country the best way we can. Sign me up for the next one."
Betances' Classic experience better than expected
Yanks reliever says pitching for Dominican Republic has him ready to start season

TAMPA, Fla. -- For Dellin Betances, representing the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic was a more special experience than he had imagined. "Man, I'm not going to lie. I thought it was more than I expected," Betances said. "Miami was intense. The crowd was definitely on our side in Miami, a very intense crowd from the first inning to the ninth. San Diego was fun as well. We came up short, but I thought it was an overall fun experience." "The love I got from the Dominican fans was unbelievable," Betances said. "I didn't think it would be like that, but I think a lot of the Dominican fans were just happy that I chose to play for them." Sharing a clubhouse with Robinson Cano, Manny Machado, Jose Bautista and the rest of the Dominicans' star-studded roster was also memorable. "I felt like I was in Little League, you have so much fun," Betances said. "Those guys like to enjoy the game and they play at a high level."

Manny Ramirez gets unlimited sushi as part of Japanese baseball contract

Manny Ramirez hasn’t played professional baseball since 2014, but you’d never know it by looking at his new contract with Japan’s Shikoku Island League.

The former MLB outfielder, who played in 12 All-Star games and won two World Series Championships throughout his major-league career, will reportedly be entitled to unlimited sushi as part of his new contract with the Kochi Island Fighting Dogs.

Ramirez, 44, first reached an agreement with the Fighting Dogs in January, but certain details of his contract were not made public until they were published online over the weekend.

In addition to Ramirez’s all-you-can-eat sushi, his contract also entitles him to several other perks, reports Yakyubd.com, via The Boston Globe. The swankiest among them include the use of a Mercedes, along with a driver, a private hotel suite during road games-- and the option to skip practices whenever he wants.

However, Yakyudb.com notes that Ramirez did attend practice on March 10 during the team’s spring training.

It’s not clear whether Ramirez added the sushi stipulation to the contract himself, or if the perk was offered to the player by the league.

So, Roberto Perez, who sat on the bench for PR, now has to double up his workload the last week of ST to try to get ready for the season. Hope he doesn't get hurt.

I don't think Perez will be getting too much playing time the first month unless Gomes collapses again or gets injured again. Perez will have plenty of time to get ready. As I posted early on during the WBC, Perez and Team Cleveland knew that Molina was going to get all of the playing time. In fact, Perez was third on the catcher's depth chart. Perez wanted to be a part of that experience. I'm sure he's not complaining.

JUST A FEW MORE TESTIMENTS
Arenado basking in glow of WBC '17 victory

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado was reveling in the closeness of Team USA's World Baseball Classic-champion squad. Before the event, Arenado said he hoped it could help prepare him for future playoffs. He'd like to pass some of the deeper lessons to his Rockies teammates. "The thing with that team was, everybody was an All-Star -- star players. But we came together, everybody was pushing each other, and wanting to do their job. Nobody's ego got in the way about playing time, or, 'I want to pitch this inning,' or, 'I want to close.' It was, 'I want to help the team win any way I can.' "I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
Classic shined spotlight on Crawford's ability

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford gained attention and acclaim during the World Baseball Classic in the best way possible. He played his usual game. While helping the United States win the international tournament, Crawford announced his presence to a large segment of the baseball-viewing public that was unaware of his considerable skill. And many others simply might be unaware that the 30-year-old has won two Gold Glove Awards and a Silver Slugger trophy. Now the secret's out. Crawford ranks among the most dynamic all-around performers in baseball, which he proved by batting .385 in eight Classic games while making every fielding play possible. Crawford compared the games to a combination of the All-Star Game and postseason -- with an emphasis on the former.
Team USA catcher Buster Posey compares the atmospheres of a Classic game to other big games he has experienced in his career

a reporter asked Posey how proud he felt to bring home a gold medal. Posey didn't hesitate to respond. "I know it gets beaten into the ground, but there is a certain amount of pride when you have your country's name across your chest," he said. "It's an interesting vibe or feeling that you all get as Americans when you play together, and represent your country. A lot of us come from different parts of the country and come together to play a game we've all played since [we were] children. "It's America's pastime."
Stanton, Yelich return, riding Classic wave
Both players say tournament experience was exhilarating

JUPITER, Fla. -- Riding the adrenaline of winning the World Baseball Classic title, Christian Yelich and Giancarlo Stanton returned to Marlins camp on Friday ready for the next step -- the regular season. Marlins manager Don Mattingly gave both players a day to recover, but they are expected to be back in the lineup Saturday against the Cardinals. "It was a playoff atmosphere," said Yelich, who was selected to the All-Tournament team. "Guys on the team who had been in the playoffs and World Series said that's what it's like." Yelich had a jersey that was signed by all the players on Team USA. Both Stanton and Yelich agreed the World Baseball Classic experience was the most fun they've ever had on a baseball field. "Absolutely. Absolutely," Stanton said. "Besides being in Little League and wearing my jersey all day for a doubleheader. Yeah, for sure." Yelich carried his championship medal in his pocket, not wanting to risk packing it. "I didn't want to put it in my luggage," Yelich said. "I didn't want to put it in my backpack. I had sweatpants on with a zip-up pocket. Just put it in there for the whole cross-country flight. Reaching to see if it is still there." "Just the atmosphere," Stanton said. "Being around so many future Hall of Famers, All-Stars, MVPs. Seeing their work for two weeks, and just the atmosphere that all the countries brought. Everyone came and represented their country and represented their talent to show on the field in whichever way they thought was fit. I loved it." The games were played with high emotion, and Yelich and Stanton each found themselves expressing themselves more on the field than they would during the regular season. "There's so much on the line, and you care so much," Yelich said. "You want to do well for your teammates and your country. The atmosphere in those games is unbelievable. For both sides. It's really unlike anything I've ever seen in baseball."
Classic fuels Schoop's enthusiasm in return
After semifinals appearance with Netherlands, 2B ready to win with Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop said Friday he's "200 percent" ready for the regular season after returning from a stint in the World Baseball Classic. Schoop was part of the Netherlands team that advanced to the semifinals. "I'm ready. I'm ready already," he said. "Those [World Baseball Classic] games are so important to me. If you go through the motions, you won't win. You've got to go in there 100 percent and compete. That's all that matters, like compete, just play hard and try to win. It's all about winning. It's like the season: win."
Goldschmidt praises WBC 2017 experience
D-backs slugger says he will be ready for Opening Day

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In some ways, it didn't take first baseman Paul Goldschmidt long to get back into the swing of things when he returned to D-backs camp on Friday after helping Team USA to its first World Baseball Classic championship. Goldschmidt raved about his time in the World Baseball Classic, which culminated with an 8-0 win over Puerto Rico on Wednesday night in the championship game at Dodger Stadium. "It was like a combination between an All-Star Game and the playoffs, so as a fan, I would want to be there," Goldschmidt said. "I was watching the other games. I usually never watch baseball when other teams are playing, but just seeing the other teams playing -- the intensity, the competitiveness -- they really did a great job with the event. "It will hopefully encourage other guys to go play, because I had a lot of fun, and talking to my teammates and guys from other teams, they all had a blast. So hopefully it will continue to grow."
Clippard: Classic one of 'coolest things' in career
Yankees righty appreciated representing USA in tournament

TAMPA, Fla. -- The realization hit Tyler Clippard long before he was part of the World Baseball Classic celebration at Dodger Stadium, confetti raining from the sky and the stars and stripes across his chest. "It was one of the coolest things I've ever done in my career, for sure," Clippard said. "To be able to put on the USA jersey for two weeks straight and experience the camaraderie of some of the best players in America, and to take it home and win the gold, it was a fun ride." "Awesome. I got chills during the anthem," Clippard said. "To see the motivation that we had to win it and to dominate the game the way we did, in all facets, you couldn't have scripted it any better." "I think we proved that it's a fun event and it's very enjoyable to watch," Clippard said. "We got great turnouts for the crowds. I'm sure a lot of people watched the games. You could just see it with how we played the games and how into it we were, and all the countries were. When you have that genuine passion for winning those games, fans see that. People see that."

José Ramírez

WINTER LEAGUE BASEBALL

The Winter League helps players work on their weaknesses, their game plan and do so facing more advanced levels of competition. It also has the obvious benefit of helping stay in shape. For many these factors assist them to get to spring training with a more distinct advantage over those that stick to the gym and home based development work. The competitive level in these league don’t allow managers to treat this tournament as development leagues since they are there to win, we have seen times with four different managers in a season including switching managers in Playoffs, even in Finals!

The Winter League also has the benefit of helping players mentally as the game is played far more competitively. It is not uncommon for a team to fire four managers in a course of a season due to an ugly loss and it is not rare for them to even be fired in the playoffs. Though a bit crazy, it shows just how serious this is taken compared to minor league baseball.

Prospects, by definition, are an unfinished product. Every MLB team’s goal is to develop these players as fast as appropriate to get them to contribute to their big league team. One way they take advantage of this process is to assign them a winter league task. Other organizations go the safe way and prefer to let them rest through winter or assign them some weight program and fitness test. MLB teams, through theWinter League Agreement, can restrict players from playing winter ball if they reach certain limits of innings pitched or caught (catchers) or at-bats for hitters by placing them on the Extreme Fatigue list. 367 players are currently in this year list. The Colorado Rockies lead the way with the most players on the list. Each case can be reviewed in December, as any players that are on the list due to injury are allowed to join their winter leagues team as soon they have completed the rehab process.

To emphasize this let’s show some examples of players that have gone from unknown players to stars, or prospects.

Edwin Encarnacion was the clutch power hitter for Las Aguilas before becoming this homerun monster that he is for Toronto. Encarnacion was playing third base in the Winter League and batting fifth. He was on a team that already had former MVP Miguel Tejada and Tony Batista along League All-time home run leader Mendy Lopez JR. This team was known as the Fantastic Four. While with the Fantastic Fout, Encarnacion was struggling to establish himself in Cincinnati but after his time with Aguilas, he seemed to put everything together almost immediately when he returned stateside.

Same story goes for Jose Bautista, many good memories about his clutch playoff homers with Licey are now “replay” in the big leagues.

Prospects like Erik Gonzalez, Jorge Polanco, Rafael Ynoa (2015) Jose Ramirez and others have used these leagues to climb their organizational rankings and win a spot on the 40-man rosters.

The Dominican Jose Ramirez was one of the most valuable players of the Indians last season, in which he played in several positions and was one of the revelations of the year. Cleveland clearly believes that what he did was no accident. Last night, the Indians signed a four-year extension with Ramirez, according to various reports. Yahoo Passan's Jeff Passan reported that the contract has a value of $ 26 million with team options for 2022 and 2023 that could bring the final amount to $ 50 million.

[ I've been a Jose Ramirez fan as far back as 2012 when he played his first games in the Dominican Winter League with the Toros del Este ball club. After a strong year at the plate in the Midwest League, Ramirez finished third in the Dominican League in batting average and fourth in on-base percentage by hitting .312/.389/.362 in 141 at-bats for Los Toros del Este, a stern test for the 20-year-old against pitchers far more advanced than he’s usually faced. “For a long time, he was leading the Dominican winter league in hitting,” said Atkins. “He’s a great story.”

Jose Ramirez became the First Dominican Prospect League (DPL) Alumni in the major leagues in 2013. The league seeks to prepare amateur talent from the Dominican Republic for life as professional baseball players. It focuses on developing the personal, professional, and baseball savvy of these young players. When Ramírez signed as an amateur free agent in 2009, he became one of the very first Dominican Prospect League alumni to sign a contract with an MLB team. Typically, 20-year-old 5-foot-9 second basemen with no Triple-A experience and not currently on the 40-man roster aren’t usually the sort of call-ups we see for any team, contending or not. Ramirez wasn’t on any prospect radars leading up to the 2012 season. With another great minor-league season, he’s the first under-21 position player for the Tribe since Jim Thome in 1991 and the youngest since Jay Bell in 1986.

As a 19 year old, Jose Ramirez, a switch-hitter, hit .354 (98-for-277) with 13 doubles, four triples, three homers, 27 RBI and 27 steals between two teams, Mahoning Valley and Lake County. Signed as a free agent in November of 2009, the 19-year-old Ramirez hit .312 (44-for-141) with five doubles, one triple and 22 RBI this winter in the Dominican Republic. Although his team was eliminated from the round robin Ramirez was selected by Los Leones del Escojido to form part of their roster in the Caribbean Series being held in Hermosillo Mexico. Down two to Mexico's Yaquis de Obregon in Tuesday's eighth inning, the Dominican Republic's Leones del Escogido scored seven runs, propelling them to an 11-6 victory to clinch a spot in Thursday's Caribbean Series championship game at Estadio Sonora. Thanks to that big frame -- sparked by a two-out, bases-loaded walk by Luis Jimenez, a two-run single by Abraham Almonte, an RBI single by Julio Lugo and a three-run homer by 20 year old Jose Ramirez. Ramirez was selected to the all-tournament team as a second baseman although he split time between short stop and second base. ]
José Ramírez, de República Dominicana & Alfredo Amezaga de México
during the Serie del Caribe de Beisbol 2013
José Ramírez 3-run Homer in the 8th inning for Leones del Escogido

[ Jose had a season that was off the charts. It will be a challenge for him to repeat that kind of efforts. With the big contract now in hand, the pressure is on! ]

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Yoenis Cespedes: MLB would grow if they played with Latin culture

Cuban slugger Yoenis Cespedes has a message for American baseball players and fans.

The New York Mets outfielder recorded a video shared by “We are Mitu” on Facebook in which he explained the difference between the Latin and American cultures of baseball. He said that Latin players celebrate because it’s part of the culture and not a sign of disrespect. He also said he thinks MLB would grow in popularity if they started playing with some Latin flair.

“Baseball players in the U.S. need to understand that we are not doing this out of disrespect. It’s just how we play,” Cespedes says in the video. “Baseball in the U.S. is the best baseball in the world. We Latinos play baseball because it’s a passion. That is the difference to why we play baseball with more love. In my country, Cuba, the game is played with music. If in the U.S., we would introduce more of the Latin culture, I think that baseball would grow,” says Cespedes.

“There would be more fans at the game because they wouldn’t just be there to see a game. It would be more like a party and something to enjoy.”

The culture clash in baseball has been magnified due to the World Baseball Classic. You had teams like Puerto Rico dyeing their hair, and more music for many of the Latin teams. But now there are younger American players like Bryce Harper trying to usher in a new era of baseball where celebrations are welcomed and encouraged. Cespedes is probably right that players having more fun would increase the game’s appeal.
Bryce Harper wants to bring flair to baseball, thinks sport is ‘tired’

Bryce Harper is sick and tired of Major League Baseball’s unwritten rules.

The Nationals outfielder was the subject of an ESPN the Magazine profile, and in it, Harper states that he thinks baseball is tired and needs an infusion of energy akin to Steph Curry in the NBA and Cam Newton in the NFL.

Here’s the excerpt, as penned by Tim Keown of ESPN the Magazine:

“Baseball’s tired,” he says. “It’s a tired sport, because you can’t express yourself. You can’t do what people in other sports do. I’m not saying baseball is, you know, boring or anything like that, but it’s the excitement of the young guys who are coming into the game now who have flair. If that’s Matt Harvey or Jacob deGrom or Manny Machado or Joc Pederson or Andrew McCutchen or Yasiel Puig — there’s so many guys in the game now who are so much fun.

“Jose Fernandez is a great example. Jose Fernandez will strike you out and stare you down into the dugout and pump his fist. And if you hit a homer and pimp it? He doesn’t care. Because you got him. That’s part of the game. It’s not the old feeling — hoorah … if you pimp a homer, I’m going to hit you right in the teeth. No. If a guy pimps a homer for a game-winning shot … I mean — sorry.”

He stops, looks around. The hell with it, he’s all in.

“If a guy pumps his fist at me on the mound, I’m going to go, ‘Yeah, you got me. Good for you. Hopefully I get you next time.’ That’s what makes the game fun. You want kids to play the game, right? What are kids playing these days? Football, basketball. Look at those players — Steph Curry, LeBron James. It’s exciting to see those players in those sports. Cam Newton — I love the way Cam goes about it. He smiles, he laughs. It’s that flair. The dramatic.”

Playing the game the right way is always a hot topic. Remember the reaction to Jose Bautista’s bat flip during the 2015 postseason? Harper’s Cam Newton comparison is apt, really. Newton has a response for those who criticize his celebrations, and it sounds a lot like Harper’s. Football has sack dances and other celebrations. In basketball, nobody bats an eye when Steph Curry does the Bernie Lean. Why can’t it happen in baseball? You do you, Bryce.

With Yandy doing so well I wanted to mention that there is another Cuban who is working out for teams in the Dominican Republic this week. Luis Robert is his name, and I have hopes the Indians will make a run at him. He is a righty hitting OF'er. He is only 19 but already 6'3" 205#, has been flashing power, patience, and other tools in Serie Nacional, top league in Cuba. He was leading the league in both SLG% and OBP. Type of kid I love.

A name to watch for when he's allowed to sign. He is still waiting to hear from MLB on that. If they wait till after June 15 then teams that have already exceeded their bonus pools will not be able to bid. There are several of those teams, but not the Indians.

I did a piece on Robert back in February. I think your right Hillbilly. I'll see if I can find it.

Better than Cespedes? Cuban phenom wowing scouts
Teen outfielder Luis Robert has emerged as the most intriguing prospect on international market


BAJOS DE HAINA, Dominican Republic -- The grass was freshly cut, the white chalk lines were neatly marked, and it was a peaceful Friday morning on the main baseball field at the Fundacion San Judas Tadeo complex, except for the barking black German Shepherd at third base and the red rooster near the mound that wouldn't stop crowing.

By 8:30 a.m., several teenage prospects from the Born to Play Baseball Academy were chatting in the batting cages and stretching near the first-base dugout made of cinder blocks and painted lime green. A few minutes later, Cuban outfielder Luis Robert walked around the corner and immediately turned an ordinary workout into an international event.

Luis Robert Moirant, 19, known in international baseball circles as Luis Robert, is a 6-foot-3, 205-pound outfielder from Cuba who was supposed to replace Houston infielder Yulieski Gurriel as the face of baseball in Cuba. But Robert defected from the island in November to pursue his Major League dream. Now, the teenager has emerged as the most intriguing and talented prospect on the international market.

"I know I had a lot of people supporting me and watching me and hoping I would be the next star, but I made a decision," Robert said in Spanish. "Gurriel made his decision, and I think it was to prove that he could play at a different level and be challenged again. I can understand that."

How good is Robert? One American League international scouting director described Robert as "the best player on the planet, and that's no exaggeration."
This is why international scouts love Robert: The teenager starred for Cuba's 16-and-under league as a 14-year-old and began playing in the 18-and-under league at 15, hitting .325 and leading the league with 21 steals his first year. He sported a .383 batting average in the league at age 16 and hit four home runs in the COPABE 18U Pan American Championship in 2014. He later was named to the all-tournament team in the 18-and-under World Cup in Japan in 2015.

Playing for Ciego de Avila in Cuba's Serie Nacional, the island's top league, Robert hit .393 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases last season. He was also part of the Cuban team that played against the Canadian-American League last summer. The 19-game tour included stops in Little Falls, N.J., and Pomona, N.Y.

"[Japan's] Shohei Ohtani is the best international player out there and he's a different animal because he would be the ace of a staff and he can hit," one National League international scouting director said. "But Robert is up there. He's a five-tool guy that can be in the big leagues soon. He has to be No. 2 behind Ohtani. He's that good."

He's also humble. The modest complex where Robert trains each day features a basketball court, soccer field and a playground, and is located in the middle of the De Quita Sueno neighborhood in the province of San Cristobal, about 10 miles south of Santo Domingo. Edgar Mercedes, who owns and operates the Born To Play Baseball Academy, rents the place from San Judas Tadeo, a local Catholic church.
Mercedes knows the market. He trained and helped represent Yoenis Cespedes after the outfielder defected from Cuba in 2011. He worked with former big league pitcher Yunesky Maya, who is also from Cuba, along with brothers Michael Ynoa (White Sox) and Huascar Ynoa (Twins) of the Dominican Republic. Mercedes estimates 90 prospects from his academy have signed contracts with big league teams since he started the training program in 2005. Cuban right-handed pitcher Elian Hernandez,19, who trains with Robert, is also expected to sign a lucrative deal when he becomes eligible to sign March 16.

"Luis is the top prospect I have ever worked with," Mercedes said. "Cespedes was an older player, a more mature player. He was 26. I don't know if there is anyone with Cespedes' power. It's tough to compare the two since Luis is only 19. He might not be as strong as Cespedes was at that age, but he does have very fast hands and that makes up for the strength."

Robert has established residency in Haiti, the first step to becoming a free agent, but he has not been declared a free agent and is not yet eligible to sign with a big league club. When he is cleared to sign matters.

If Robert is cleared to sign by June 15, the A's, Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Nationals, Padres and Reds, who have all exceeded their 2016-17 bonus pools, remain in the mix to sign him. However, when the international-signing period starts on July 2, those teams will join the Cubs, Dodgers and Royals in a group of teams that will not be able to sign international prospects for more than $300,000 because they are in the maximum penalty. The Angels, D-backs, Rays, Red Sox and Yankees will no longer be limited to signing players for $300,000 or less during the next signing period.

Also consider that the new Collective Bargaining Agreement means every team will get at least $4.75 million to spend on international prospects starting July 2. Any team receiving a competitive balance Round A pick in the Draft will get $5.25 million in international bonus-pool money. Additionally, teams receiving a competitive balance Round B pick will have $5.75 million to spend.

By contrast, the Padres paid $11 million to Cuban left-handed pitcher Adrian Morejon in July and have spent an estimated $70 million on international prospects during the current signing period, when the penalty tax is included.

For now, Robert waits and he works out in a peaceful environment. He goes to the gym five days a week. His showcase for all 30 teams is tentatively scheduled for the end of March, sometime after the World Baseball Classic.

"It's going to be a big day for my career, but I'm not going to let the pressure take over," he said. "I've always been in a position where I was the youngest or trying to prove myself, so this won't be different than what I have done before. I'm ready for the challenge."

The Latest On Cuban Outfielder Luis Robert

March 26, 2017 By Ben Badler

BASEBALL AMERICA

There should be some high-ranking club officials in the Dominican Republic this week. That’s because on Thursday, Luis Robert will have his first open showcase, giving teams their first open opportunity to watch the talented young Cuban outfielder since he arrived in the Dominican Republic.

Robert, 19, is still waiting for Major League Baseball to declare him a free agent. That timing is critical, both for Robert and the teams that could potentially sign him. The current 2016-17 signing period closes on June 15. Up until that point, there is no hard cap on signing bonuses, so while Robert is subject to the international bonus pools, there isn’t an absolute ceiling on what a team could potentially offer him.

However, once the 2016-17 signing period closes, the rules of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement kick into place. Those rules set a hard cap on the bonus pools, with teams getting either $4.75 million, $5.25 million or $5.75 million in their pool, with some wiggle room to trade for extra pool space. With teams having already unofficially committed large portions of their upcoming 2017-18 bonus pools to players they plan to sign on July 2, it’s advantageous for Robert to be cleared as quickly as possible.

If Robert can get cleared to sign before June 15 (which seems likely given his timetable, though with MLB and international players, there isn’t much transparency to work with), the teams already over their bonus pools would be in the best position to sign him. That includes the Padres and Cardinals, two teams that have been the most aggressive spending this signing period with international players in general with several Cuban signings for each club. The Astros, Braves, Nationals, A’s and Reds are also over their bonus pools. If, for some reason, MLB does not clear Robert to sign until after June 15, those teams would essentially be eliminated from signing Robert, since they would be in the first year of a two-year penalty of being unable to sign any international amateur player for more than $300,000. The White Sox are not over their bonus pool, but they consistently come up in conversations as a team to watch for Robert.

At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, Robert has a promising combination of physicality, athleticism, tools and game performance. That performance has come in Cuba against his peers, at several international youth tournaments and in Cuba’s top league, Serie Nacional, which he was leading in both OBP and slugging in the 2016-17 season before he left to pursue a contract with a major league team.

Timing Is Key For Cuban Outfielder Luis Robert

By Ben Badler

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic—

Luis Robert has more stamps on his passport than the typical 19-year-old.

The Cuban outfielder’s baseball talent has taken him to Taiwan, Mexico, Japan, Canada, the United States and now the Dominican Republic, where he’s training as he waits for Major League Baseball to clear him to sign.

Robert has submitted all his paperwork to the commissioner’s office already. Based on the timetable of when that happened and the recent pace of MLB clearing Cuban players, it seems likely that Robert will be able to sign before the 2016-17 international signing period closes on June 15.

For Robert, that timing is critical. Once this signing period closes, the new era of international hard caps begin, with teams getting $4.75 million to $5.75 million each to spend.

Before then, teams are still free to spend past their bonus pools. Most of the teams with the best chance to sign Robert are the ones that have already exceeded their pools. The Padres and Cardinals are drawing the most attention. The Astros could be in the mix. The Braves, Reds, Nationals and Athletics are also over their bonus pools.

The team that comes up the most in discussions of where Robert might land, however, is the White Sox. The Cubs, Dodgers, Giants and Royals are automatically out, since they each exceeded their pool in 2015-16 and as a penalty can’t sign anyone for more than $300,000 in either this signing period or the next one. Then most other teams are unofficially out of the mix because they have millions of dollars committed to players who will sign on July 2 in the 2017-18 signing period. If one of those clubs were to sign Robert before June 15 and blow past its bonus pool, that team wouldn’t be able to sign anyone for more than $300,000 in 2017-18. They can’t sign Robert without those commitments evaporating. And if for some reason Robert isn’t cleared until after June 15, those teams have already tied up a huge chunk of their pool space anyway.

The White Sox, though, are different. They have been laying low for the high-priced talent in the 2017-18 signing period. If Robert is not cleared until after June 15, the White Sox would have more room than most in their bonus pool to sign him. Even if Robert is cleared during the current signing period, the White Sox might just blow through their bonus pool to sign him anyway, since it wouldn’t affect their July 2 plans.

talented Teenager

Robert has the talent of a first-round pick if he were in the draft. After he signs, he should be ready for an assignment to a low or high Class A affiliate. He has a strong, lean frame at 6-foot-3 with broad shoulders, a wide back and quick-twitch athleticism. A righthanded hitter with excellent bat speed and a sound swing, Robert has plus power with room to continue filling out and increase that in the future.

That all translated into a big year during the most recent 2016-17 season in Cuba. When Robert left Cuba in November, he was leading Serie Nacional in both OBP and slugging, batting .401/.526/.687 in 232 plate appearances. He drew 38 walks (10 intentional) with 30 strikeouts, 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 17 attempts.

Robert’s production does come with some swing-and-miss tendencies. He has a habit of swinging through high fastballs and has had trouble laying off breaking balls down and away, though at times he’s shown the ability to resist those pitches. He can hammer pitches to right-center field and is at his best when he stays through the middle of the field, but he can get too pull-oriented in games.

Coming up through the Cuban junior leagues, Robert played center field. He spent most of his Serie Nacional time in the corners, but he has the tools to start out in center field and possibly stick there depending how he develops physically, though he would be an above-average defender if he did go to a corner.

Robert’s excellent 2016-17 Serie Nacional season is in line with his history of playing—and dominating—against older competition. He was one of the best hitters in Cuba’s national 16U league in 2012, when he was 14. He played in front of scouts that summer in Mexico in the 15U World Cup. The next year he moved up to Cuba’s 18U league and was one of the top performers there as a 15-year-old, then did it again in 2014 as a 16-year-old and played in Mexico again for the COPABE 18U Pan American Championship, where his outfield teammates included Yusniel Diaz (Dodgers, $15.5 million), Jorge Oña (Padres, $7 million) and Victor Mesa, the top young player in Cuba. He even played in Cuba’s top league, Serie Nacional, competing against players a decade or two older than him.

“It was a very big change,” Robert said in Spanish. “When I got to Serie Nacional, I was only 16 years old. It was very difficult to try to earn a spot at that young of an age, but they gave me an opportunity and I adapted quickly to the level of play.”

When Robert made his third appearance on Cuba’s 18U national team at the 18U World Cup in 2015 in Japan, he was by far the best player on the team.

“It’s a lot harder than the Mexican tournament because it’s a higher quality of baseball,” Robert said. “But also, in a short tournament like that, the jet lag is really tough. We were there the first couple of days and we were on the field falling asleep because it’s like a total turnover. When it was nighttime in our bodies, we were playing a game. It’s very hard to show up and perform well, but thank God that I did. The quality of baseball was higher and I really had to fight the jet lag the first couple of days, but I did a good job.”

Last summer, Robert traveled to the U.S. and Canada with a team that Cuba brought to the independent Can-Am League.

“When I went to the Can-Am League and played there, I saw a lot better pitching,” Robert said. “The quality of the pitching was better. I did well there and I took that confidence back to Cuba. It was pretty easy from then on.”

We don’t think of the Can-Am League as high-level competition, but it’s a step up from what Robert faced in Cuba, where pitchers regularly throw fastballs in the mid-to-upper 80s in a league that has become watered down with hundreds of players leaving the country the last few years. Unlike most of those players, Robert was able to get a feel for the United States before he decided to leave Cuba to pursue a contract with a major league club.

“I felt good,” Robert said. “I know those countries are more developed than Cuba is, but what I really liked was the competition was a lot better. I had never seen such good pitchers. I was excited about that.”

For now, Robert is training daily in the Dominican Republic, preparing for his first open showcase, which could happen at some point this month, and waiting for MLB to give him the green light to sign.