Cleveland Sports Forum

Japan World Baseball Classic roster: Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish headline 2023 WBC team

Kevin Skiver

02-17-2023

One of the host countries for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Japan boasts an especially exciting roster.

While Shohei Ohtani is, of course, the headliner, there are plenty of other players to watch from the only two-time World Baseball Classic champions. Japan won the first two iterations of the WBC, reestablishing itself as a baseball superpower, and it is one of the favorites to win once again in 2023.

Alongside Ohtani, Yu Darvish, Seiya Suzuki, Lars Nootbaar, and Masataka Yoshida round out the MLB presence.

The 21-year-old phenom Roki Sasaki, however, will finally get his time on the world stage. Sasaki retired an absurd 51 straight batters over two of his starts for the Chiba Lotte Marines last season, with the first of those starts resulting in the 16th perfect game in NPB history and the first since 1994.

On the batting side, Munetaka Murakami will provide a lot of pop at the plate. Murakami had 56 home runs last season with the Yakult Swallows, a record for a Japanese-born player. Japan is in Group B in Tokyo for its pool play, and the Tokyo Dome will also host quarterfinal games before the semifinal and championships rounds in the United States.

Japan World Baseball Classic 2023 roster

Pitchers

Yu Darvish San Diego Padres R
Ryoji Kuribayashi Hiroshima Toyo Carp R
Shota Imanaga Yokohama DeNA Baystars L
Hiromi Itoh Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters R
Yuki Matsui Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles L
Hiroya Miyagi Orix Buffaloes L
Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles Angels R
Taisei Ota Yomiuri Giants R
Roki Sasaki Chiba Lotte Marines R
Hiroto Takahashi Chunichi Dragons R
Keiji Takahashi Tokyo Yakult Swallows L
Shosei Togo Yomiuri Giants R
Yuki Udagawa Orix Buffaloes R
Yoshinobu Yamamoto Orix Buffaloes R
Atsuki Yuasa Hanshin Tigers R

Catchers

Takuya Kai Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks R/R
Yuhei Nakamura Tokyo Yakult Swallows R/R
Takumi Ohshiro Yomiuri Giants L/R

Infielders

Sosuke Genda Saitama Seibu Lions SS L/R
Shugo Maki Yokohama DeNA Baystars 2B/1B R/R
Munetaka Murakami Tokyo Yakult Swallows 1B/3B L/R
Takumu Nakano Hanshin Tigers SS L/R
Kazuma Okamoto Yomiuri Giants UTIL R/R
Ukyo Shuto Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks UTIL R/R
Tetsuto Yamada Tokyo Yakult Swallows 2B R/R
Hotaka Yamakawa Saitama Seibu Lions 1B/3B R/R

Outfielders

Kensuke Kondoh Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks OF L/R
Lars Nootbaar St. Louis Cardinals RF L/R
Seiya Suzuki Chicago Cubs RF R/R
Masataka Yoshida Boston Red Sox OF L/R

Team Japan has a slightly unconventional build to its roster, carrying 15 pitchers (including Ohtani), three catchers, eight infielders, and just four outfielders.

Many of their fielders are able to play multiple positions in a utility role, with some players such as the Cubs' Seiya Suzuki being able to play either infield or outfield. Then, of course, there's the two-way star in Ohtani, who will DH from the left side of the plate in addition to pitching.

Japan players to watch in World Baseball Classic

No key players list on Japan would be complete without Shohei Ohtani's presence. The two-way 2021 AL MVP has taken MLB by storm and somehow surpassed the massive hype levels around him. Whether he's pitching or hitting, Ohtani is must-see TV.

Arguably more exciting than Ohtani, however, is the youth on display with this Japan team. Yu Darvish is the only pitcher older than 30 on the staff, and in fact just six players are 30 or older. Roki Sasaki, at 21 years old, is the highlight of this staff as he showcases an overpowering fastball and a wipeout splitter. (Notably absent is new Met Kodai Senga, who is instead preparing for his first MLB season in New York.)

In the field, there is some MLB representation, though it's confined to the outfield. Seiya Suzuki and Lars Nootbaar (Nootbaar, whose mother is from Japan, is the only USA-born player on the team) are taking up the outfield, and Red Sox fans will get a sneak peek at Masataka Yoshida. Otherwise, youth rules the day, with Munetaka Murakami and Shugo Maki standing out.

Who is coaching Japan in the World Baseball Classic?

Samurai Japan will be managed by Hideki Kuriyama.

Japan brought Kuriyama on in 2021 to try to lead the nation to its first WBC title since 2009. The longtime Nippon Professional Baseball manager was an installation with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2012 to 2021. He won a Japan championship in 2016, and he was responsible for cultivating Ohtani as the two-way superstar he ended up being.

Kuriyama, in fact, uses several elements that some might consider "American." He also began to employ an opener in Hokkaido, and he has an emphasis on what are broadly called analytics.

"We must be compelled to keep searching until the very last minute for those who can help the team win," Kuriyama said of building his team, per Kyodo News last year. "Someone of genius might well emerge from among people still in school."

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On the WBC: “It’s Game 7 everyday"

New York Mets’ star shortstop Francisco Lindor is excited to represent Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic. Lindor recently addressed what it means to play for his home country in the WBC, per MLB on Twitter.

“It’s Game 7 everyday. I love that. I love whenever I get to wear Puerto Rico across my chest,” Lindor said. “Just give everything I got day in and day out. And I kind of like set the bar for that year. Now the teams are getting stacked, it’s sick. I’m pumped for it.”

Francisco Lindor is prepared to lead Team Puerto in the WBC. They will face plenty of stiff competition in the tournament but Puerto Rico has a chance to make some noise. In addition to Lindor, the team will feature players such as Edwin Diaz, Kike Hernandez, Jose Berrios, Marcus Stroman, Jorge Lopez, and Javier Baez.

Carlos Correa was initially expected to participate but later backed out. The birth of their child corresponds with the date of their first WBC game.

Francisco Lindor was traded to the Mets ahead of the 2021 season. The shortstop struggled in his first go-around with the team, but rebounded nicely with a productive 2022 season. He ultimately slashed .270/.339/.474 with an .816 OPS and 26 home runs in 2022. Lindor will play a pivotal role in the Mets’ success once again in 2023.

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Team USA - WBC

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Team Dominican Republic - WBC

Statistics Don't Lie: USA Lineup Is Superior To The Dominican Republic

World Baseball Classic Odds 2023: USA, Dominican Republic among the favorites to win WBC

Jovan Alford

02-17-2023

he 2023 World Baseball Classic is set to begin March 7 across the globe as 20 countries vie for the title of being the best on the diamond. The 2021 WBC was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, pushing it to this year, so the United States will still be looking to defend its 2017 championship.

However, the USA will have some tough competition from the Dominican Republic and Japan, who have star-studded rosters and are among the favorites to win the WBC, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Outside of the top-three clubs, Mexico and Puerto Rico could shake up the field with their talented rosters.

Below, we have the latest odds from FanDuel Sportsbook on the favorites to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic and a few sleepers/values to keep an eye on as we inch closer to pool play starting on March 7.

World Baseball Classic odds 2023
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
World Baseball Classic 2023 odds: Favorites

USA (+240).

Team USA enters this year's edition of the World Baseball Classic as the defending champion and has the second-best odds to win it all. The USA was the favorite to win the WBC (+220), but former MVP starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw cannot participate. The United States will be led by manager Mark DeRosa, who spent 16 years in the major and played on eight different teams. DeRosa has some solid names on his staff, including Hall-of-Famer Ken Griffey Jr. (hitting coach), Brian McCann (bench coach), and Andy Pettitte (pitching coach).

As for the actual team, it's pretty loaded with multiple All-Stars in the rotation, infield, and outfield. Angels outfielder Mike Trout is the captain of Team USA despite playing in the World Baseball Classic for the first time in his decorated career. Opposing pitchers will have a tough time with a Team USA lineup that includes Pete Alonso, Paul Goldschmidt, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Tim Anderson, Mookie Betts, and J.T. Realmuto. Along with their offense, the United States has a solid pitching rotation that features Merrill Kelly, Brady Singer, Adam Wainwright, Lance Lynn, and Miles Mikolas. The US is the overwhelming favorite to win Pool C (-420) over Mexico, Canada, Colombia, and Great Britain, and it should get through group play before moving on to the quarterfinals, where things will heat up.

Dominican Republic (+220).

If the USA fails to repeat as World Baseball champions, do not be surprised if the Dominican Republic takes the crown. In the 2017 edition of the WBC, the Dominican Republic lost to the United States 6-3 in the second round. You have to believe that the DR remembers that loss and will look to make another deep run this year.

The Dominican Republic has an outstanding roster that rivals the United States, beginning with a starting rotation that features reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara, Roasny Contreras, Johnny Cueto, and Cristian Javier. Alcantara and Javier are strikeout machines when they are locked in and could lead the Dominican Republic to a WBC crown. The offense is also loaded with Willy Adames, Nelson Cruz, Wander Franco, Rafael Devers, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Manny Machado, Ketel Marte, Juan Soto, Jeremy Pena, Julio Rodriguez, and Eloy Jimenez. In the 2017 WBC, Machado slashed .269/.321/.462 with a home run, two RBI, and two doubles. The Dominican Republic is the betting favorite to win Pool D (-300) over Venezuela (+400) and Puerto Rico (+500).

World Baseball Classic 2023 odds: Sleepers & value bets

Mexico (+1600).

If there's one country that could make a run in the World Baseball Classic, it's Mexico. They have a good starting rotation, led by Julio Urias, Patrick Sandoval, Jose Urquidy, and Taijuan Walker, that can carry them through Pool C play. Urias has been one of the best starting pitchers in baseball over the past two seasons, recording 37 wins in 63 starts. Last season with the Dodgers, the 26-year-old lefty had a 17-7 record, 2.16 ERA, and 166 strikeouts in 175 innings pitched.

Offensively, Mexico will look for Alejandro Kirk, Randy Arozarena, Rowdy Tellez, and Alex Verdugo to lead the way. While it doesn't possess the power hitters of the Dominican Republic or the USA, Mexico still has guys who can get on base and make things happen. Mexico has second-best odds to win Pool C (+400) and will open up play against Colombia on March 11. After that game, Mexico will face off against the USA on March 12.

Puerto Rico (+1600).

We would be remiss if we didn't talk about Puerto Rico winning the World Baseball Classic this year. Team Puerto Rico plays in the competitive Pool D group that has the Dominican Republic and Venezuela. However, they will not back down from the competition, as they have two good starters in Jose Berrios and Marcus Stroman (who played for Team USA in the 2017 WBC). In the bullpen, Puerto Rico has Jorge Lopez and Edwin Diaz, who was the best closer in the majors last season for the Mets.

However, if Yadier Molina's crew wants to make a run, they must lean on their offense. Puerto Rico has great catching depth with Martin Maldonado, Christian Vazquez, and M.J. Melendez. Melendez and Vazquez are the more offensive catchers, while Maldonado is excellent defensively behind the plate. As for the rest of the offense, Javier Baez and Francisco Lindor are the top names to watch out for. Both guys played well in the 2017 WBC, as Baez hit .296 with a home run and five RBIs, while Lindor slugged .370 with two home runs and four RBI. If those guys get hot at the plate, watch out, as they can carry the offense and give Puerto Rico a great chance to advance out of pool play.

OUR PICK:

Team Dominican Republic (+220).

Even though Japan has Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish and the USA has a deep and talented roster, we are going to go with the Dominican Republic to win the WBC. They have an outstanding starting rotation that will carry them between Alcantara, Javier, Cueto, and the young Contreras. When you pair those pitchers with that offense, they are going to be tough to beat. Those hitters have the capability to get on base but also hit the ball out of the ballpark.

Hopefully, we get to see Team Dominican Republic face off against Team USA in the championship because that would be an epic finale to what should be an incredible WBC.


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Soto, Sandy, Manny, Vlad -- that's just start of stacked D.R. squad

For months, there have been whispers and rumors of all the stars who could appear on Team Dominican Republic’s World Baseball Classic roster. From a Cy Young Award winner to the reigning AL Rookie of the Year to, well, a handful of some of the best players on the planet. After the full team reveals on MLB Network, Team D.R. looks as if it’ll live up to all that hype and could very well be the favorites to win their second WBC title.

Here's a position-by-position breakdown of Team Dominican Republic. Within each position, players are listed in alphabetical order, with any affiliation to an MLB organization noted in parentheses.

Catchers: Francisco Mejía (Rays), Gary Sánchez

In Mejía and Sánchez, Team D.R. will have two of the strongest arms in the Majors behind home plate. Mejía, 27, hasn’t quite hit in the big leagues like he did back in 2018 in the Minors, when he was the No. 1 catching prospect in baseball … but maybe Sánchez can help pick up the slack in that department? The two-time All-Star hit 16 homers last year for the Twins and has hit 30-plus in two of his eight seasons in the bigs. Granted, they likely won’t be counted on to produce too much offense with the star-studded lineup already around them.

Infielders: Willy Adames (Brewers), Robinson Canó, Rafael Devers (Red Sox), Wander Franco (Rays), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Manny Machado (Padres), Ketel Marte (D-backs), Jeremy Peña (Astros), Jean Segura (Marlins), Nelson Cruz (Padres)

It’s hard to think of a better mix of experienced veterans, up-and-coming phenoms and proven stars in one infield. Vlad Jr. will likely be the starting first baseman, but other than that, the other three positions could go a variety of ways. Superstars Machado or Devers could start at third; while Franco, Peña, Adames, Marte and Segura could rotate between short and second – although the young Gold Glover Peña may be the go-to at short. The 40-year-old Canó only played in 33 big league games in 2022 but could serve as a capable bat off the bench against right-handed pitching. And Cruz, also the GM of Team D.R., could enter late into a game to use some of that 459-HR power against a tough lefty.

Outfielders: Teoscar Hernández (Mariners), Eloy Jiménez (White Sox), Julio Rodríguez (Mariners), Juan Soto (Padres)

D.R.’s outfield has more Silver Sluggers (seven) than it does players (four). There’s the speed and excitement of AL Rookie of the Year J-Rod, the discipline and pure talent of Soto, the prodigious power of Jiménez and the steady veteran production of Hernández. You’d be lucky to pick a better, more fun to watch batch of outfielders in your annual fantasy draft.

Pitchers: Bryan Abreu (Astros), Sandy Alcantara (Marlins), Ronel Blanco (Astros), Génesis Cabrera^ (Cardinals), Diego Castillo (Mariners), Roansy Contreras (Pirates), Johnny Cueto (Marlins), Enyel De Los Santos (Guardians), Camilo Doval (Giants), Carlos Estévez (Angels), Jarlín García^ (Pirates), Luis García (Padres), Yimi Garcia (Blue Jays), Cristian Javier (Astros), José Leclerc (Rangers), Rafael Montero (Astros), Héctor Neris (Astros), Joel Payamps (Brewers), Gregory Soto^ (Phillies), César Valdez (Angels)

The starting rotation is, of course, led by reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Alcantara. Then you have World Series combo no-hitter starter Javier, Pirates breakout star Contreras and the wily, shimmying veteran Cueto. The bullpen is stacked with three key members of the Astros World Series team in Montero, Neris and Abreu, while the lefty Soto (3.28 ERA, 30 saves in 2022) and young fireballer Doval (2.53 ERA, 27 saves) could get the ball to close out tight games. That is, if they have any of those.

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21 All-Stars, 4 MVPs headline star-studded Team USA roster

The most star-studded United States roster in the history of the World Baseball Classic is now official.

Team USA’s 30-man roster, which will be managed by Mark DeRosa and captained by Mike Trout, features 21 All-Stars, including four MVPs in Trout, Mookie Betts, Paul Goldschmidt and Clayton Kershaw. The final rosters for the entire 20-team field were announced on Thursday evening on MLB Network.

It was Team USA’s championship in the 2017 WBC -- after the first three installments of the event were won by Japan (twice) and the Dominican Republic -- that inspired increased interest among some of the game’s luminaries. Trout, for one, watched the 2017 event with regret after turning down the opportunity to play, so he wasn’t going to miss it this time. And his participation created a domino effect with other big names.

“The whole reason I signed up: trying to win this thing,” Trout said. “There is nothing else. Anything else is a failure.”

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of Team USA. Within each position, players are listed in alphabetical order, with any affiliation to an MLB organization noted in parentheses.

Catchers: Kyle Higashioka (Yankees), J.T. Realmuto (Phillies), Will Smith (Dodgers)

Realmuto, a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, fronts this backstop group. All three are first-time participants in the WBC.

Infielders: Pete Alonso (Mets), Tim Anderson (White Sox), Nolan Arenado (Cardinals), Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals), Trea Turner (Phillies), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)

Arenado and Goldschmidt are back for more after anchoring the infield for the 2017 championship team, and they are joined by a dynamic group that features a two-time Home Run Derby champ in Alonso, batting champs in Anderson and Turner and one of the most exciting young talents in the sport in Witt.

Outfielders: Mookie Betts (Dodgers), Jeff McNeil (Mets), Cedric Mullins (Orioles), Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Mike Trout (Angels), Kyle Tucker (Astros)

Though Bryce Harper’s elbow surgery prevents him from honoring his commitment to Team USA, the outfield group nevertheless features two of the absolute biggest stars in the sport in Trout and Betts, along with reigning NL home run champ Schwarber and three other All-Stars (McNeil is listed as a left fielder on the roster but is also capable of helping in the infield).

Pitchers: Jason Adam (Rays), Daniel Bard (Rockies), David Bednar (Pirates), Nestor Cortes^ (Yankees), Kendall Graveman (White Sox), Merrill Kelly (D-backs), Clayton Kershaw^ (Dodgers), Lance Lynn (White Sox), Miles Mikolas (Cardinals), Adam Ottavino (Mets), Ryan Pressly (Astros), Brooks Raley^ (Mets), Brady Singer (Royals), Adam Wainwright (Cardinals), Devin Williams (Brewers)

^ denotes left-handed pitcher

Kershaw -- a nine-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young winner, MVP and likely future Hall of Famer -- is a first-time WBC participant. He’s joined by a cast of arms with a wide assortment of experience, from more recent big league breakout types like Singer, Williams and Bednar to the established likes of Lynn and Wainwright. None of these pitchers were on the 2017 roster.

'Super disappointing': Clayton Kershaw will miss World Baseball Classic after insurance issue
Dodgers' longtime ace was "really looking forward to" his first WBC with Team USA.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the most decorated pitcher scheduled to pitch in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, was forced to bow out of the international tournament Friday simply because an insurance policy failed to clear him.

“It was super disappointing …’’ said Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer. “I’m frustrated. I really wanted to do it.

“We tried a lot of different things. I tried to work it out on my own. Tried to work it out with MLB, the union, the team, everybody. Everybody worked hard to try and make it work.

“Just wasn’t able to.”

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Ohtani leads the way for loaded Japan roster

Samurai Japan has won two of the four World Baseball Classics -- the inaugural tournament in 2006 and the second one in 2009 -- and placed third in the other two. But Japan's WBC '23 team might be its most stacked roster yet.

Shohei Ohtani. Yu Darvish. Munetaka Murakami. Roki Sasaki. Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Masataka Yoshida. The mix of MLB and NPB superstars is incredible.

Japan has an MLB MVP in Ohtani. It has a reigning NPB MVP in Murakami. And that's just the beginning for the only country to win WBC gold twice. Let's take a look at the 2023 roster for Japan, which will host Pool B of the tournament at the Tokyo Dome.

Here's a position-by-position breakdown of Team Japan. Within each position, players are listed in alphabetical order, with any affiliation to an MLB organization noted in parentheses.

Catchers: Takuya Kai, Yuhei Nakamura, Takumi Oshiro

Japan's three catchers are all new to the World Baseball Classic. Kai and Nakamura are defensive stars. The 30-year-old Kai has won six straight Mitsui Golden Gloves, in addition to being a three-time NPB All-Star and six-time Japan Series champion with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks -- including being named the 2018 Japan Series MVP after a record six consecutive caught stealings. The 32-year-old Nakamura is also a former Japan Series MVP, winning in 2021 with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, and is a seven-time NPB All-Star and three-time Golden Glove winner. Oshiro is probably the most dangerous hitter of the trio, batting .266 with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs for the Yomiuri Giants in 2022.

Infielders: Sosuke Genda, Shugo Maki, Munetaka Murakami, Takumu Nakano, Kazuma Okamoto, Ukyo Shuto, Tetsuto Yamada, Hotaka Yamakawa

Murakami is the superstar to watch in his first World Baseball Classic. The lefty slugger is the best hitter in Japan, and he's only 23 years old. Murakami just shattered Sadaharu Oh's single-season NPB record for the most home runs by a Japanese-born player, crushing 56 homers for the Swallows in 2022. He also won the Triple Crown, with a .318 batting average and 134 RBIs to go with the 56 home runs, en route to unanimous MVP honors.

But the Japanese infield is full of notable names. Okamoto has hit 30-plus home runs in each of the last five seasons for the Giants and led NPB's Central League in homers and RBIs in 2020 and '21. Yamakawa has three 40-homer seasons for the Seibu Lions and three Pacific League home run crowns, including 2022 (41). Speedsters Shuto and Nakano have each won a league stolen base title. Genda is a great defensive shortstop who's won four Golden Glove Awards. And Yamada is a WBC veteran who hit .296 with a 1.005 OPS as Japan's leadoff hitter in the 2017 tournament.

Outfielders: Kensuke Kondo, Lars Nootbaar (Cardinals), Seiya Suzuki (Cubs), Masataka Yoshida (Red Sox)

Japan's outfield is stacked with Major League talent. Suzuki made the jump to MLB in 2022 and batted .262 with 14 home runs and a 116 OPS+ for the Cubs in his debut season. Yoshida is next -- the 29-year-old left-handed hitter, a two-time batting champion in NPB who hit .335 with 21 homers for Orix last season, is joining the Red Sox in 2023. Japan even has the California native Nootbaar, whose mother is Japanese. The 25-year-old had 14 home runs and a 126 OPS+ for the Cardinals in 2022. Kondo is a .307 career hitter over 11 NPB seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

Pitchers: Yu Darvish (Padres), Shota Imanaga, Hiromi Itoh, Ryoji Kuribayashi, Yuki Matsui, Hiroya Miyagi, Taisei Ota, Roki Sasaki, Hiroto Takahashi, Keiji Takahashi, Shosei Togo, Yuki Udagawa, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Atsuki Yuasa

What a loaded pitching staff. Darvish represents the Major Leagues, returning to the World Baseball Classic for the first time since 2009, when he picked up the win in the championship game against Korea and posted a 2.08 ERA in the tournament.

He's joined by the new wave of NPB aces, led by the 24-year-old right-hander Yamamoto of the Orix Buffaloes and the 21-year-old righty Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines. Yamamoto is the best pitcher in Japan, winner of back-to-back Sawamura Awards (NPB's Cy Young equivalent) and Triple Crowns. Sasaki might be the most electric -- he throws 100 mph and pitched a 19-strikeout perfect game last April. There's also the star 29-year-old lefty Imanaga, who went 11-4 with a 2.26 ERA and 132 strikeouts for the Yokohama DeNa Baystars in 2022.

Chiba Lotte Marines 20-year-old right-handed phenom, Roki Sasaki, threw Japan's first perfect game in 28 years. He struck out a record-tying 19 batters, including a record-breaking 13 in a row at one point. It was one of the greatest pitching performances ever, in any professional league. Sasaki nearly did it again in his next start. Sasaki fired eight perfect innings in his first start since the perfect game. He struck out 14 batters. Sasaki was pulled after throwing 102 pitches to protect his arm -- he threw 105 pitches in the perfect game -- with the game scoreless. The Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters went on to win the game 1-0 in 10 innings.

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Ohtani says he's not the best on Team Japan. So ... who is?

By David Adler

Feb 23, 2023 1:06 PM EST

Mike Trout started talking to Shohei Ohtani about the World Baseball Classic in the middle of last season. And Ohtani, playing for Japan, told his Angels teammate, the Team USA captain, something that left Trout in disbelief.

"Talking to Shohei about that team, he tried to tell me that he doesn't think he's the best player on the team," Trout said in January. "And I -- there's no way that there's somebody better than Shohei."

A player on Japan better than Ohtani? The guy who can hit 40 homers and rack up 200 strikeouts? Who in the world could Ohtani have been talking about?

Well … here's who.

Here are the five players on Samurai Japan who could steal the show -- even from Ohtani -- in the World Baseball Classic.

1) Munetaka Murakami -- 3B, Tokyo Yakult Swallows

It took a historic home run season from Judge to keep Ohtani from a second straight MVP Award in 2022. Well, Murakami is the Japanese Aaron Judge.

While Judge was busy hitting 62 homers to break Roger Maris' longstanding American League record of 61 in MLB, Murakami was breaking an equally historic home run record in Japan. Murakami hit 56 home runs in 2022, surpassing NPB home run king Sadaharu Oh's single-season record of 55 for a Japanese-born player, which had stood since 1964.

Murakami just turned 23 years old, and he's the best hitter in Japan. He might be one of the best hitters in the world. The lefty-slugging third baseman didn't just make home run history last season, he also became NPB's youngest Triple Crown winner, leading the Central League with a .318 batting average, 56 homers and 134 RBIs on his way to unanimous MVP honors.

The World Baseball Classic will be a showcase of how Murakami stacks up to the elite hitters from the Major Leagues … and a preview of what's coming, because he's slated to be posted to MLB after the 2025 season.

2) Roki Sasaki -- RHP, Chiba Lotte Marines

If Murakami is one of the few hitters who could outslug Ohtani, Sasaki is one of the only pitchers with the talent to outpitch him. The 21-year-old phenom throws 102 mph with a splitter as nasty as Ohtani's. And he just turned in one of the most dominant pitching performances in history.

Sasaki pitched a 19-strikeout perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes on April 10 of last season. No one has ever struck out so many hitters in a perfect game in NPB or MLB. It was arguably one of the greatest games ever pitched. Sasaki was 20 years old at the time. And in his first full season in NPB.

Oh, and he followed it up with eight more perfect innings in his next start. By the end of the season, Sasaki had a 2.02 ERA and 173 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings. Now the electric young right-hander heads to a World Baseball Classic that has more big league star power in lineups across the tournament than ever before. When he takes the mound against the best hitters in the world, the "Monster of the Reiwa" will be must-see TV.

3) Yoshinobu Yamamoto -- RHP, Orix Buffaloes

Sasaki might be the most electric pitcher in Japan, but Yamamoto is the best. His last two seasons have been Jacob deGrom-level dominant. The Orix ace won back-to-back Sawamura Awards, NPB's version of the Cy Young. He won back-to-back pitching Triple Crowns, leading the Pacific League in wins, ERA and strikeouts in both seasons. And he won back-to-back Pacific League MVP Awards.

The numbers were nearly identical. Yamamoto went 18-5 with a 1.39 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 193 2/3 innings in 2021. Then he went 15-5 with a 1.68 ERA and 205 strikeouts in 193 innings in 2022.

It doesn't matter that Yamamoto stands on the shorter side for a pitcher at 5-foot-10 (Sasaki is 6-foot-2). He's still got powerful stuff. His fastball sits in the mid-90s and can reach 97-99 mph, and some scouts think his splitter is even better than Kodai Senga's "ghost fork." He also has a plus curveball.

Yamamoto's only 24, too. And guess what? He could be coming to the Major Leagues as soon as next year. According to a new report, MLB teams think Yamamoto will be posted to MLB after the 2023 season, and he hopes to use the World Baseball Classic as a launching pad for his future big league career.

4) Masataka Yoshida -- OF, Red Sox (via Orix Buffaloes)

The WBC will be the first look a lot of MLB fans get at Yoshida before Japan's contact king joins the Red Sox for the 2023 season. Yoshida is a two-time batting champion in NPB's Pacific League, but he's not just a slap hitter. He drives the ball.

The 29-year-old lefty swinger is one of the hardest hitters in Japan after Murakami. Not only did he bat .335 for Orix in 2022, he also slugged 21 homers and posted a 1.008 OPS. Yoshida hit over .320, slugged over .500 and had an OPS over .950 in each of his last five seasons in NPB. He averaged 22 home runs a year over that time.

Yoshida's plate discipline is also extraordinary. In 2022, he walked nearly twice as often as he struck out: 80 walks to only 41 strikeouts. And that's his worst ratio in the last three years, because in 2020 and '21, he had more than twice as many walks as K's (72 walks to 29 strikeouts in '20, 58 walks to 26 strikeouts in '21). That's 210 walks and only 96 strikeouts in the three seasons combined. Juan Soto-type numbers.

5) Hiroto Takahashi -- RHP, Chunichi Dragons

The 20-year-old Takahashi is the youngest pitcher selected to Samurai Japan for the WBC, and he could be a breakout star of the 2023 tournament.

Last season, at only 19 years old and in his first full season, he broke out as one of the top strikeout pitchers in Japan. Takahashi posted a 2.47 ERA for the Dragons and struck out 134 batters -- sixth-most in NPB -- in just 116 2/3 innings. That's a 10.3 K/9. His strikeout rate and swing-and-miss rate were the second-best in the league behind Sasaki.

Takahashi has a high ceiling, with a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and touches 97 mph, and a swing-and-miss splitter and slider that both come in in the mid-to-upper 80s. He's also been working on his mechanics with Yamamoto leading up to the WBC. Maybe he'll unveil some new secret weapons.

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto, RHP, Japan (Orix Buffaloes)

2023 World Baseball Classic: Four international prospects to watch, including NPB MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Several players already have plans to be posted to MLB in the coming years

By R.J. Anderson

9 hrs ago 3/3/23

The 2023 World Baseball Classic, the first since 2017, will get underway on Tuesday, March 7. For many American viewers, the WBC will serve as an introduction to the top talents of other leagues, including Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball and South Korea's Korea Baseball Organization. A natural response, then, is to wonder if and when some of those players will make their way to Major League Baseball, the way others have over the years.

Of course, not everyone desires playing in MLB. Several top international talents have expressed interest in making the leap someday, however, and CBS Sports felt this would be a good opportunity to highlight some of the players worth keeping tabs -- for the duration of the WBC, and in the years to come. With that in mind, below you'll find background information, scouting notes, and arrival estimates for four particularly intriguing young players.

1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, RHP, Japan (Orix Buffaloes)

What's his deal?

Yamamoto is arguably the best pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball. Last season he won both the Pacific League Most Valuable Player and the Eiji Sawamura Award (think: Cy Young) after posting a 1.68 ERA and a 4.88 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Yamamoto is a four-time All-Star, a three-time ERA champion, and a two-time Triple Crown champion. For his career, he has a 1.84 ERA and a 4.31 strikeout-to-walk ratio in nearly 800 innings pitched.

How would his game transfer?

The success of Shohei Ohtani, Yu Darvish, Masahiro Tanaka, Hiroki Kuroda, and numerous others has proven that NPB pitchers can handle themselves in MLB. Yamamoto would fit right in from a pitch-quality perspective. He has great command of a mid-90s fastball with carry, as well as a swing-and-miss splitter and a high-spin curveball. He would have to prove that his stuff -- especially his splitter -- plays the same with the baseball stateside, but again, there's enough precedent here to be optimistic about his chances. The other concern about him is his size, as he's listed at 5-foot-10 with a slight frame. Teams appear to be more favorable to shorter pitchers these days, however, thanks to the increased popularity of the vertical approach angle concept and the decreased expectations in starter workload. Yamamoto will likely be viewed as a No. 2 starter if and when he comes over.

When might he join MLB?

The New York Post reported earlier this month that Yamamoto could be posted for MLB consideration after the 2023 season. At that point, Yamamoto will have succeeded in clearing the necessary MLB thresholds (25 years old, six years of service in a recognized professional league) to no longer be treated as an international amateur free agent.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1422883823633772548

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Roki Sasaki, RHP, Japan (Chiba Lotte Marines)

2. Roki Sasaki, RHP, Japan (Chiba Lotte Marines)

What's his deal?

Sasaki, who just celebrated his 21st birthday in November, is the youngest of the four players presented here. He made global headlines last April after throwing a 19-strikeout perfect game. Sasaki finished the season with a 2.02 ERA and a 7.52 strikeout-to-walk ratio, with the latter fueled by a jaw-dropping 35 percent strikeout percentage. For comparison, Yamamoto last season struck out just over 27 percent of the batters he faced.

How would his game transfer?

As noted in Yamamoto's capsule, there's a rich history of NPB pitchers coming over and making their mark. Sasaki certainly has the means to do it himself some day. He has a phenomenal fastball that sits in the upper-90s and features top-notch vertical life. Sasaki's other top offering is a splitter/forkball, though he has a pair of breaking balls, too. Again, he would probably earn No. 2 starter projections, but that's only because he's too young to have had a chance to establish himself as a durable workhorse. (Many evaluators are reluctant to designate someone an "ace" until they've established themselves at a high level over the course of several years.)

When might he join MLB?

Sasaki is the farthest away of the four players on this list. He will not clear either of MLB's aforementioned thresholds until after the 2026 campaign, suggesting that 2027 would be his earliest arrival.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1497969590877532168

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3. Munetaka Murakami, 3B, Japan (Yakult Swallows)

What's his deal?

Murakami raised his global profile in a significant way in 2022, homering 56 times and shattering Sadaharu Oh's single-season record for a Japanese-born player. In parts of five seasons overall, he's batted .282/.402/.568 with 177 home runs and 500 runs batted in. Last year, he even saw his walk-to-strikeout ratio approach 1.0 (118 versus 128).

How would his game transfer?

Sports Info Solutions tweeted in August that Murakami had an average exit velocity of 91 mph and an average launch angle of 13.6 degrees. In other words, Murakami hits it hard and on a line. It's hard to make a one-to-one comparison to any MLB hitter for obvious reasons, but Freddie Freeman and Corey Seager each had similar marks. Murakami has struck out around 20 percent of the time the last two seasons -- a rate likely to increase if and when he crosses the Pacific -- and evaluators are unsure if he'll remain at third for the long haul, or if he'll need to move across the diamond to first base. The upside here is a middle-of-the-order force with power and on-base skills. That's going to make him appealing to MLB teams regardless of his position.

When might he join MLB?

Murakami signed a three-year extension with the Swallows back in December. He's expected to be posted at the conclusion of that contract, meaning he would be in line to debut in MLB come 2026.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1576951293213429760

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4. Jung-hoo Lee, CF, Korea (Kiwoom Heroes)

What's his deal?

Lee, nicknamed "Grandson of the Wind" in a nod to his father, is the Korea Baseball Organization's reigning Most Valuable Player Award recipient. He's compiled a career .342/.407/.495 slash line with 59 home runs, 63 stolen bases, and 53 more walks than strikeouts while playing for the same club that employed San Diego Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim.

How would his game transfer?

MLB front offices are always skeptical about how KBO hitters will fare against better pitchers. (KBO is regarded as the world's third best league, behind MLB and NPB.) Lee ranks fourth because he's unlikely to evade that line of scrutiny. His boosters nevertheless envision him becoming a starting center fielder in MLB. Lee homered more times last season (23) than he had the previous two years combined (22), but his above-average contact chops are the safest component of his lefty bat. He's regarded as a plus runner and defender, a combination that should earn him a wider berth at the plate than the average bear. Lee may require some time to adjust to MLB (Kim, for example, raised his OPS 86 points in his second year stateside), so his secondary value would have to keep him afloat during his acclimation period.

When might he join MLB?

The Heroes announced in January they will submit Lee to the posting system after the 2023 season. Barring an injury or some other unexpected development, he'll make his MLB debut in 2024.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1422863207748624388

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Roki Sasaki of Japan's national baseball team pitches against the Central League's Chunichi Dragons in a World Baseball Classic warm-up game at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in Nagoya, central Japan, on March 4, 2023. (Kyodo)

Baseball: Sasaki dominant, Okamoto homers in Japan's WBC warm-up win

KYODO NEWS 3/4/23 - 3 hours ago - 22:51 | Sports, All

NAGOYA

21 year old Roki Sasaki pitched three scoreless innings, and Kazuma Okamoto hit a tiebreaking solo home run as Japan's World Baseball Classic team beat the Chunichi Dragons 4-1 in Saturday's warm-up game.

Sasaki struck out three, walked two and allowed just one hit -- an infield single, reaching as fast as 165 kilometers (102.5 miles) per hour with his fastball at Vantelin Dome Nagoya.

The 165 matched Shohei Ohtani's mark for the fastest pitch thrown by a Japanese pitcher. Sasaki's previous fastest was 164 kph.

"It was my last outing before the tournament, so I tried to pitch well," said the 21-year-old right-hander, who threw a perfect game in April 2022 against the Orix Buffaloes. "I didn't really think about my pitch speed, but overall I felt good about my pitches."

After Sasaki, Hiroya Miyagi, Hiroto Takahashi and Hiromi Ito threw two innings each for Japan.

Okamoto broke a 1-1 tie when he led off the seventh inning with a shot over the left-field wall. Chusei Mannami, a fill-in member for Japan, added a two-run homer in the eighth.


Kazuma Okamoto hits a home run in the seventh inning for Japan in a World Baseball Classic warm-up game against the Chunichi Dragons at Vantelin Dome Nagoya on March 4, 2023. (Kyodo)

While Japan had five hits against Chunichi's three, Kensuke Kondo had a pair of doubles, one of them driving in the opening run for Japan in the third.

Chunichi's Aristides Aquino homered for the second consecutive game against Japan.

Japan's MLB players, Ohtani, Yu Darvish, Lars Nootbaar and Masataka Yoshida, will be eligible to play at Kyocera Dome Osaka against the Hanshin Tigers on Monday and the Orix Buffaloes on Tuesday.

Manager Hideki Kuriyama's team will travel to Tokyo on Wednesday before facing China in its Pool B opener at Tokyo Dome on Thursday evening.

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Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani (L) and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar pose for a photo in the locker room at Vantelin Dome Nagoya in Nagoya, central Japan, on March 3, 2023. (Getty/Kyodo)

KYODO NEWS

Baseball: Shohei Ohtani joins Japan as excitement builds ahead of WBC

KYODO NEWS KYODO NEWS - Mar 3, 2023 - 22:23 | Sports, All

NAGOYA

Fans flocked to see Shohei Ohtani on Friday when he joined up with Samurai Japan as the team enters the final days of its preparations ahead of the World Baseball Classic.

Having arrived in Japan on Wednesday, Ohtani joined the national team at Vantelin Dome Nagoya for practice before two warm-up games against the Chunichi Dragons through Saturday. WBC rules prohibit MLB players from playing in games prior to official pre-tournament exhibitions, which begin in Japan on Monday.

Fans, allowed to shout and cheer this spring for the first time since 2020, roared when Ohtani took to the field during batting practice and worked out with the pitchers in the outfield.

"First of all, I have to learn guys' names and remember their faces," Ohtani said.

The team practiced wearing T-shirts that read "Ta-chan" on the back, a welcoming gesture to American outfielder Lars Taylor-Tatsuji Nootbaar, who was eligible for selection because his mother is Japanese.

Not all the excitement was indoors as a huge throng of fans showed up to the stadium early, hoping to get their hands on Japan WBC merchandise.

A company employee from neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture, 26-year-old Kei Miyamoto, took the day off, hoping to beat the crowd before the goods went on sale at noon. However, he said about 300 people were already lined up when he arrived around 7 a.m.


Fans mass in front of Vantelin Dome Nagoya in Nagoya, central Japan, to buy World Baseball Classic merchandise on March 3, 2023. Two-way star Shohei Ohtani joined his WBC team the same day. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Despite waiting six hours, he could not get one of the replica shirts worn by Ohtani or fellow MLB pitcher Yu Darvish.

"Those were the two players on the top of my list," Miyamoto said.

Japan's MLB players, Ohtani, Nootbaar, Darvish and outfielder Masataka Yoshida, will be eligible to play at Kyocera Dome Osaka against the Hanshin Tigers on Monday and the Orix Buffaloes on Tuesday.

Manager Hideki Kuriyama's team will travel to Tokyo on Wednesday before facing China in their Pool B opener at Tokyo Dome on Thursday evening.

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This is how the Colombian lineup would be made up in the World Baseball Classic

Augusto Cesar Puello Mestre

Last update 2023/03/01 at 4:34 PM

As the zero hour of the World Baseball Classic approaches, details are becoming known about what will be the second Colombian participation in the most important hot ball event in the spring of this 2023. The manager, Jolbert Cabrera, has gone shedding light on the position in which the stars that are part of this roster would be used, dreamed of by all baseball lovers in Cartagena and the country.

According to the latest statements delivered to specialized media, together with the team's staff, it has been arranged so far to use Gio Urshela as third baseman, Meibrys Viloria as catcher, Óscar Mercado as left fielder and Harold Ramírez in right field, to name a few. to some of the Cartagena people who are summoned.

The team from Colombia would consist of the following:

Catchers: Meibrys Viloria, Elias Diaz

1B: Jorge Alfaro

2B: Dilson Herrera

SS: Dayán Frías, Fabián Pertúz

3B: Gio Urshela, Adrian Sanchez

LF: Oscar Mercado, Gustavo Campero

CF: Tito Polo, Jesus Marriaga

RF: Harold Ramirez

DH: Jordan Diaz

Similarly, the safest rotation of pitchers by Colombia is known, with the arjonero José Quintana starting the first game, Nabil Crismatt the second and William Cuevas the third.

This is the schedule for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic:

Saturday March 11: Colombia vs. Mexico, 2:30 pm

Sunday March 12: Colombia rests.

Monday March 13: Colombia vs United Kingdom, 2:00 pm

Tuesday March 14: Canada vs. Colombia, 2:00 pm

Wednesday, March 15: United States vs. Colombia, 9:00 p.m.

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Analysis: Colombia in the 2023 World Baseball Classic

By: Luis Adolfo Payares / ACORD COLOMBIA

2/3/23

Of the current players that Colombia will take to the World Classic, 13 will repeat, and only 8 others are in the MLB system.

Comparatively, the Colombian team has more experience, with a better level of competition, since players like Campero, Frias, Pertuz, Marriaga, Ramirez, Diaz, have been practicing since they finished camp with their organizations.

They have played almost all year including this winter and spring. This allows them to be ready to perform at a high level of competitiveness, with which, we believe, they will arrive in excellent physical and athletic condition to face this competition.

But will these young players have enough experience to face the Major Leaguers of Mexico, the United States, or even those of Canada?

It is a question that has several answers.

It all depends on the adjustments that the players know they will have to make in each game, along with the hitting coach and managers.

“Colombia has players who are hungry to continue on the path to the major leagues, such as Campero, Pertuz, Marriaga, Frias, and many others who have their mind set on being major leaguers.

They see the Classic as an opportunity.

In this situation anything could happen.” stated a consulted source.

Another variable that could somehow benefit Colombia is the issue of pitching.

Starting pitchers will only have the possibility of being in 3 innings or throwing 50 pitches, which becomes a straitjacket for starters. "A pitcher who is dominant can only pitch three innings.

With this in mind, the pitcher is taken care of, but at the same time you can make adjustments with the pitcher that come on in relief." The source stated.

Considering that the best pitcher Colombia currently has on the roster for the Clásico is José Quintana, Colombia could need strength in managing the bullpen, which could dominate the strong hitters of the opposing teams.

It must be remembered that in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Colombia had a very outstanding performance. The team won its first game in tournament history in a thrilling victory over Canada, and also had a very close game against the Dominican Republic. However, Colombia lost their third game against the United States, putting them out of the competition.

Colombia has experience and youth, a combination that if they know how to handle can be fruitful for the objectives of being able to qualify for the second round, and reach the city of Miami.

In order to get to Miami, you have to win three games, the teams from the United States and Mexico are the most difficult to beat.

In the last Classic we already beat Canada, but were no match for the others.

Canada this year features Freddie Freeman, who is a five-time All-Star, has won two Gold Gloves and was the National League MVP in 2020. In addition, he has helped the Braves win three division titles. and a National League Championship Series.

Freeman is known for his hitting ability and defense at first base. He is also appreciated for his work ethic and his leadership in the locker room. In short, Freddie Freeman is one of the most prominent players in MLB today and one of the best Canadian players in the league.

The United States has two of the best outfielders in the MLB, Mike Trout and Mookie Betts, who have been compared to each other in terms of their ability on the field. Both are known for their versatility, hitting ability and being great defenders at their positions.

In summary, Colombia is eager and hungry.

That mixture of youth and experience that can be decisive in the key moments of each game. Above all, they must make the routine plays perfectly, and not make mistakes that ruin the score.

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Jorge Alfaro, Colombian catcher for the Boston Red Sox.

Sports

Colombia combines experience and youth for the World Classic

The squad led by Jolbert Cabrera will debut on Saturday March 11 against Mexico.

Agency

@zero zone

March 04, 2023 1:25 p.m.

Combining the experience of established players in the Major Leagues such as Gio Urshela, Harold Ramírez and Jorge Alfaro, and the impetus of prospects such as Jordan Díaz, Dayan Frías and Gustavo Campero, Colombia will participate in the World Baseball Classic that will take place next week in stadiums in Taiwan, Japan and the United States.

For the manager of Colombia, former major league player Jolbert Cabrera, "the team is preparing quite well. There are 22 who are training with their teams in the United States in spring training and another eight who are in Colombia and Venezuela working so that everyone is in shape".

Cabrera, who as an MLB player was a member of the Cleveland Indians, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Seattle Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds, told EFE: "In the World Baseball Classic we are going to compete with what we have to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves."

When asked about who could stand out as Colombian revelations, Jolbert Cabrera referred to Cleveland Guardians prospect Dayan Frías, who works as an infielder, second baseman Jordan Díaz who plays in Oakland and Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Jesús Marriaga.

"In addition to these guys, there are others, like Gustavo Campero, who will make their way in baseball in the United States and we believe they have a great future and a lot to give.

The absent

Among the casualties that Colombia will have for the tournament is the Cartagena pitcher playing for the San Diego Padres Julio Terán, who argued "personal and professional reasons" for declining to wear the colors of his country.

Another who will not be able to play with Colombia is the Barranquillero Dónovan Solano, who for the 2023 season signed with the Twins and had to be with Minnesota for spring training.

A third player who gave personal reasons for not playing in the World Baseball Classic is first baseman Reynaldo Rodríguez, whom fans expected to see play in the tournament.

The fourth absent is the pitcher from Barranquilla Luis Patino.

Columbia, which is part of group C which also includes the United States, Great Britain, Canada and Mexico, will have their second participation in the tournament when they debut against the Aztecs on Saturday, March 11 at Chase Field Stadium in Phoenix. (Arizona).

In their second game, they will face the United Kingdom on Monday, March 13.

They will face Canada on Tuesday the 14th.

They will close against the United States on Wednesday the 15th.

"We have a difficult task ahead"

It's not impossible," said the manager. of Colombia, who added: "We are not the Cinderella team of the group. We know that in baseball there is no easy team to beat and we are going to face all the games in the same way."

Colombia's roster is as follows:

Infielders: Jordan Díaz, Dayan Frías, Evan Mendoza, Fabián Pertuz, Adrián Sánchez, Dilson Herrera and Giovanni Urshela.

Catchers: Jorge Alfaro, Meibrys Viloria and Elías Díaz.

Outfielders: Jesús Marriaga, Óscar Mercado, Tito Polo, Harold Ramírez and Gustavo Campero.

Pitchers: José Quintana, Nabil Crismatt, Reiver Sanmartín, Jhon Romero, William Cuevas, Elkin Alcalá, Danis Correa, Guillermo Zúñiga, Rubén Galindo, Pedro García, Río Gómez, Jasier Herrera, José Torres, Yapson Gómez and Adrián Almeida.

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Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani

12 dream matchups for World Baseball Classic

3/4/23 18 minutes ago

The World Baseball Classic is just days away. These are the matchups we're dreaming about.

We could see teammate vs. teammate. Rising star vs. rising star. International phenom vs. international phenom. MLB superstar vs. NPB and KBO elite. And so much more.

It all depends on how the games shake out. But if we get to see these play out on the field, it will be must-see baseball.

Here are 12 matchups to hope for in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

BATTER VS. PITCHER

Mike Trout (USA) vs. Shohei Ohtani (Japan)

This would be the matchup of the tournament. Trout, the best player of his generation, vs. Ohtani, the one-of-a-kind two-way superstar. The World Baseball Classic is the only place where the Angels teammates can face each other. The U.S. and Japan are on opposite sides of the bracket, so a Trout-Ohtani showdown would have to happen in the semifinals … or the championship. Imagine that.

Jung-hoo Lee (South Korea) vs. Roki Sasaki (Japan)

Lee vs. Sasaki would be a matchup of two international phenoms -- and potential future MLB prospects. The 24-year-old Lee is the reigning KBO MVP after the lefty slugger batted .349 with 23 homers and 113 RBIs for the Kiwoom Heroes. And he's set to be posted to MLB after next season. Sasaki is only 21 years old, but the right-hander is already the most electric pitcher in Japan. He throws 102 mph and pitched a 19-strikeout perfect game last April. Japan and Korea are both in Pool B and will go head to head on Friday.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1632044936253276160
In a WBC warmup game, Rōki Sasaki threw this pitch at 102.5 MPH! He and Shohei Ohtani are the only two Japanese pitchers to ever throw a pitch so fast!

Munetaka Murakami (Japan) vs. Edwin Díaz (Puerto Rico)

Murakami is the Japanese Aaron Judge. Just 23 years old, he crushed 56 home runs for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows last season -- breaking Sadaharu Oh's longstanding single-season NPB record of 55 for a Japanese-born player -- while also batting .318 with 134 RBIs to win the Triple Crown. Put him up against the most dominant closer in the Major Leagues, Díaz, with his 100 mph fastball and wipeout slider, who's coming off a season in which he struck out over half of the batters he faced. It could happen in the championship rounds of the WBC if Japan and Puerto Rico make it that far.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1628019210143076354
Munetaka Murakami hit an absolute bomb off of Yu Darvish in practice
The 23-year-old third baseman hit 56 home runs with a 1.168 OPS in 141 games last season in Japan

Freddie Freeman (Canada) vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Japan)

Freeman might be the most accomplished pure hitter in the tournament. The 2020 National League MVP would be a great test for Yamamoto, the most accomplished pitcher in Japan. The 24-year-old right-hander is the winner of back-to-back Sawamura Awards in NPB, Japan's equivalent of the Cy Young. Yamamoto won pitching Triple Crowns in each of the past two seasons, going 18-5 with a 1.39 ERA and 206 strikeouts in 2021 and 15-5 with a 1.68 ERA and 205 strikeouts in '22. Canada and Japan wouldn't face each other until the semifinals or finals.

Paul Goldschmidt (USA) vs. Sandy Alcantara (Dominican Republic)

The USA and Dominican Republic are both stacked, and if they both advance from their pools and face each other in the second round of the WBC, you could see the reigning MVP Goldschmidt face the reigning Cy Young winner Alcantara. Goldschmidt and Alcantara see each other in big league action, but playing for their countries, it will be entirely different.

Mookie Betts (USA) vs. Julio Urías (Mexico)

Urías might be the best big league starter in the World Baseball Classic outside of Alcantara. Betts is one of the biggest all-around stars. But unlike Goldschmidt and Alcantara, Betts and Urías don't face each other on the MLB schedule, because, of course, they're teammates on the Dodgers. But they did face off in the 2018 World Series, when Betts' Red Sox beat Urías and the Dodgers. Now the U.S. and Mexico are in the same WBC pool. They play on Sunday.

Bobby Witt Jr. (USA) vs. Julio Rodríguez (Dominican Republic)

The game's brightest young stars are being drawn to the World Baseball Classic, and no matchup could better represent the future of Major League Baseball than Witt and Rodríguez going head to head. The two super prospects came up at the same time, debuting on Opening Day 2022, and they both had electric rookie seasons. Rodríguez had 28 home runs and 25 stolen bases; Witt had 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases. They're both 22 years old. Let the kids play on the world stage.

Ronald Acuña Jr. (Venezuela) vs. Juan Soto (Dominican Republic)

Acuña and Soto are to each other now what Witt and Rodríguez might be in a few years. Two phenoms tied to each other from the beginning of their careers, who fulfilled their potential and became two of the best players in the world. The 25-year-old Acuña and 24-year-old Soto are both in Pool D of the WBC and play each other on Saturday.

Manny Machado (Dominican Republic) vs. Nolan Arenado (USA)

Machado and Arenado are always fighting for the title of best third baseman in the world. The World Baseball Classic can be their proving ground. They're two of the leaders of the Dominican and U.S. teams, and they just finished right next to each other in the 2022 NL MVP voting -- Machado was second, Arenado was third.

Xander Bogaerts (Netherlands) vs. Rafael Devers (Dominican Republic)

Bogaerts and Devers gave the Red Sox one of the best duos in baseball on the left side of the infield over the past several years. Now they're apart for the first time, with Bogaerts signing with the Padres this winter and Devers committing to Boston long-term. If the Netherlands and Dominican Republic meet in the later rounds of the WBC, it could be Bogaerts and Devers' first time playing against each other.

Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela) vs. Alfredo Despaigne (Cuba)

These are two legends of the World Baseball Classic. Cabrera will have played in all five Classics when he takes the field for Venezuela, going back to the first tournament in 2006. Despaigne made his WBC debut for Cuba in 2009 and has played in every one since. Despaigne is the all-time WBC leader with seven home runs; Miggy is one behind him with six.

Adam Wainwright (USA) vs. manager Yadier Molina (Puerto Rico)

Wainwright and Molina were teammates for the past 18 years with the Cardinals. They could finally be in opposing dugouts. Wainwright is pitching in his first World Baseball Classic for the U.S. at age 41, and though 40-year-old Molina's playing days for Puerto Rico are now behind him, he's managing the team this time around. If Wainwright pitches against Puerto Rico, will Yadi know all his secrets?

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Cleveland Guardians News

Get ready to watch nine Cleveland Guardians in the World Baseball Classic

By Anthony Alandt

March 7, 2023 4:34 PM EST

The World Baseball Classic, for the first time since 2017, will return tonight. Compiling teams from 20 different countries, mostly comprised of MLB and MiLB players, the international tournament will kick off at 11 p.m. tonight for the fifth time ever when Cuba takes on the Netherlands.

A good number of Cleveland Guardians players will participate in the tournament for their respective countries, so it’s finally time - if you’re willing to stay up late or get up early - to watch some of your favorite players in competitive baseball games.

Nine members of the Guardians organization, headlined by second baseman Andrés Giménez, will take the field in the tournament for six different squads. Though Enyel De Los Santos is listed on the roster for the Dominican Republic, he is currently dealing with a hamstring injury and might not be available. Tonight begins pool play, and the 20 teams have been divided into four pools playing in Taiwan, Japan, Phoenix, and Miami.

The winner and runner-up of each pool move on to a quarterfinal elimination bracket that will take place at the Tokyo Dome and LoanDepot (Marlins) Park. Both the semifinals and championship games will be held in Miami. The United States is looking to repeat 2017's championship and become the first back-to-back winner of the WBC since Japan won in 2006 and 2009. Three new teams - the Czech Republic, Great Britain and Nicaragua - also enter the fold.

Some of the names will be recognizable and look to make a large impact for their teams, while others are organizational arms and bats that might prove to be good depth pieces or assist in a possible championship run. The championship takes place on March 21, a little over a week before the start of Major League Baseball’s regular season.

Below is a list of Guardians organizational players who will be participating in the tournament and which country they will be representing. Games will be broadcast on Fox, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, and Tubi. The full roster, along with news and a preview of their respective teams, can be found here.

Cleveland Guardians in the WBC

Andrés Giménez (Venezuela)
Enyel De Los Santos (Dominican Republic)
Bo Naylor (Canada)
Cal Quantrill (Canada)
Richie Palacios (Netherlands)
Dayan Frias (Colombia)
Meibrys Viloria (Colombia)
Cade Smith (Canada)
Josh Wolf (Israel)

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In powerhouse matchup, Netherlands tops Cuba to open Classic

Matt Monagan

March 8, 2023 2:33 AM CST

TAICHUNG, Taiwan --

Cuba against the Netherlands. The two favorites from Pool A. It’s the matchup everyone was waiting for and, amazingly, it was the first one on the docket in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Wednesday’s game between the two international powers proved to be just as advertised for almost six innings of play before the Netherlands broke free for a 4-2 victory at Taichung Intercontinental Stadium.

Funny enough, with both teams' loaded lineups, the game began as a pitchers’ duel. Cuban starter Yariel Rodriguez went four innings -- giving up one run on three hits, while striking out six. The Netherlands’ hurler Tom de Blok, throwing about 10 mph slower than Rodriguez in the mid-80s, performed similarly. He gave up one hit and one run in three innings of work.

The bullpen mostly held up for both sides until the bottom of the sixth inning.

In a 1-1 game, the Netherlands got runners on first and second with one out and Josh Palacios – a Brooklyn kid who plays for the Nationals and whose mother is from Curacao – grounded an RBI single up the middle.

Chadwick Tromp followed that up with a bloop, two-run single to make it 4-1 and break things open.

"To be honest, I was a little sloppy with my pitch selection, but fortunately I got something I could put a bat on," Tromp said postgame. "In those situations we're taught to just battle."

Tromp, an Aruba native who plays for the Braves, said he was proud to represent the island and the Kingdom of Netherlands in that moment. There was also a little watch-party happening back home.

"As you know, it's 12 a.m. over there in Aruba," the catcher said. "But my whole family is up watching the game. They've been always there for me. And they're there for me again this year."

Cuba added a run on an RBI groundout in the seventh by Yadil Mujica – who had an RBI double earlier in the game – but that was it for Armando Johnson’s squad. The Dutch bullpen held tight and Honkbal prevailed.

Manager Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens stressed how important getting this first victory was -- especially against a superb team in Cuba.

"It feels great. It's very, very important to win the first game," Meulens said. "It takes a monkey off your back right away. It relaxes everybody. We know we have the talent."

As he said pregame, the Dutch MO is for their pitchers to pitch to contact so their stellar defense can make plays. Today, they did just that.

"Despite throwing six walks, we got some, like, 17 ground-ball outs and that's a stellar defense these guys can play," he said. "That's why we've got a bunch of Gold Gloves out there."

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[ RICHIE PALACIOS DID NOT PLAY - BROTHER JOSH GETS A BIG HIT ]

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