World Baseball Classic

Adley is heaped with praise, an off-season reminder, and players impressing in Sarasota.

The outfielder played in nine games for the 2009 Orioles. As for the Orioles still in Sarasota, the exhibition games March on. Lewin Díaz is said to be a defensive whiz at first, but there is no indication he can move to the outfield. This piece also paints the organization in a rather favorable light, calling them “careful” and “considered” this offseason rather than some of the adjectives I would probably use. For those of you most interested in Orioles (current and former) taking part in the tournament, For the next few years, at least, we will get to see a master at work. I do not buy that the Orioles are going to use a major league roster spot on a backup first baseman unless that person can also truly handle another position on the field. - The late Ryan Freel (b. A profile story of an Orioles player...in the New York Times? The Orioles have endured some rough play behind the plate in-between Matt Wieters’ hayday and the Rutschman era. But you will have to stay up late to catch the action taking place in Asia. His 55 pitches would seem to indicate he is on a fine trajectory to be fully stretched by Opening Day.

Reigning NPB MVP Munetaka Murakami, who bashed 56 home runs for the Yakult Swallows last season and surpassed the league record for a Japanese-born player ( ...

Nearly every other player on the roster was born in the Czech Republic and plays in its local amateur league. It’s a moment a decade in the making for the Czech national team: Finally reaching the World Baseball Classic. Unfortunately, for all those big upsets, the team has yet to reach the second round of play in the Classic -- something that will be difficult to do with some of the baseball giants around them in Pool B. The team could be difficult to predict, as much of the roster comes from China’s National Baseball League. The team should be strong enough to make a deep run in this year’s competition. 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Of course there’s Shohei Ohtani, a one-man superhero team, a history-maker every time he goes near the field, and the one name on every player’s lips when asked, “Who do you want to face at the World Baseball Classic?” Box 4100","city":"Seattle","state":"Washington","stateAbbrev":"WA","postalCode":"98104","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":47.591333,"longitude":-122.33251},"country":"USA","phone":"(206) 346-4000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-8,"tz":"PST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2530,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2530"},"teamCode":"sea","fileCode":"sea","abbreviation":"SEA","teamName":"Mariners","locationName":"Seattle","firstYearOfPlay":"1977","league":{"id":103,"name":"American League","link":"/api/v1/league/103"},"division":{"id":200,"name":"American League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/200"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"Seattle","franchiseName":"Seattle","clubName":"Mariners","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":114,"name":"Cactus League","link":"/api/v1/league/114","abbreviation":"CL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","link":"/api/v1/teams/137","season":2023,"venue":{"id":2395,"name":"Oracle Park","link":"/api/v1/venues/2395","location":{"address1":"24 Willie Mays Plaza","city":"San Francisco","state":"California","stateAbbrev":"CA","postalCode":"94107","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":37.778383,"longitude":-122.389448},"country":"USA","phone":"(415) 972-2000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-8,"tz":"PST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2532,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2532"},"teamCode":"sfn","fileCode":"sf","abbreviation":"SF","teamName":"Giants","locationName":"San Francisco","firstYearOfPlay":"1883","league":{"id":104,"name":"National League","link":"/api/v1/league/104"},"division":{"id":203,"name":"National League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/203"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"San Francisco","franchiseName":"San Francisco","clubName":"Giants","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":138,"name":"St. Louis","clubName":"Cardinals","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","link":"/api/v1/teams/139","season":2023,"venue":{"id":12,"name":"Tropicana Field","link":"/api/v1/venues/12","location":{"address1":"One Tropicana Drive","city":"St. Louis","state":"Missouri","stateAbbrev":"MO","postalCode":"63102","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":38.62256667,"longitude":-90.19286667},"country":"USA","phone":"(314) 345-9600"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Chicago","offset":-6,"tz":"CST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2520,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2520"},"teamCode":"sln","fileCode":"stl","abbreviation":"STL","teamName":"Cardinals","locationName":"St. ,"type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2023-02-15T22:16:41.191Z","description":"Ray Chang, Alan Carter and more highlight the China's 2023 World Baseball Classic roster","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:35","mp4AvcPlayback":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2023/2023-02/15/83225332-2fcbb9de-085c1c51-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","slug":"china-is-ready-for-23-classic","tags":[{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"world-baseball-classic","title":"World Baseball Classic"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"apple-news","title":"Apple News"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"alexa","title":"alexa"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"imagen-feed","title":"Imagen feed"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-790","title":"China"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"world-baseball-classic-pool-b","title":"Classic Pool B"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/ssjantwfevkhpez83dfs","title":"China is ready for '23 Classic","type":"video","url":"/video/china-is-ready-for-23-classic"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Chang -- who also leads MLB's development program in China -- returns as a player/coach for his fourth World Baseball Classic.

Diamondbacks Ketel Marte, Alek Thomas, Merrill Kelly and 13 D-backs players and prospects are joining their national teams for the WBC.

He was a finalist for the Gold Glove award in center but had a difficult second half of the year offensively with a .500 OPS in MLB games after Aug. Arizona had 26 position players step up to the plate last season with injuries and other bumps in the road, an inevitability in a 162-game season. The D-backs will also keep a close eye on their players representing their flags during the WBC, even those playing overseas. They will be thrust into meaningful games off the bat in a double-elimination format during group play. We like their versatility, but those are just three of many who will get extra opportunities and extra at-bats and I want to really take advantage of that time.” You know, players like Phillip Evans, Diego Castillo, Yairo Munoz, we’re going to be able to look at them in different positions.

It's still unclear what Ohtani will do with the bat, but he is taking the mound Thursday.

He will be a free agent after this season and figures to sign the richest contract in baseball history. [Yu Darvish](/mlb/players/1937347/yu-darvish/) and righties Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are expected to follow in some order. The first round of the WBC features four five-team pools. He went 2 for 5 at the plate in three spring games in addition to all his behind-the-scene work on the backfields. [Here is the full WBC schedule](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2023-world-baseball-classic-schedule-dates-teams-times-tv-channel-as-shohei-ohtani-pitches-thursday/) and [here is everything you need to know about this year's event](https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2023-world-baseball-classic-rules-format-rosters-and-more-for-international-tournament/). Ohtani made one start and threw 2 1/2 innings with the

The World Baseball Classic is underway. Here's what you need to know about the international tournament.

The 20-team World Baseball Classic got underway after a six-year absence with the Netherlands defeating Cuba 4-2 in a Group A game in Taiwan to open the ...

Cespedes, playing as the DH, was hitless and walked twice as Cuba managed only three hits. Japan has won it twice (2006, 2009) and the Dominicans once (2013). Play in Group B begins on Thursday in Tokyo with South Korea playing Australia and host Japan -- led by Angels star Shohei Ohtani -- up against China.

Japan and Shohei Ohtani start their WBC journey on Thursday in Tokyo with the Angels two-way superstar serving as his country's starting pitcher in the opener.

0 There are a couple of jam-packed days of international baseball ahead, with games starting at different times across the globe. From there, it's a single-elimination bracket style tournament with the championship game set for Tuesday, March 21 in Miami. Team USA, looking to defend its title after winning it all in 2017, will begin WBC play on Saturday against Great Britain in Phoenix. The 2023 World Baseball Classic is underway as 20 teams vie for the international title.

The 20-team World Baseball Classic got underway after a six-year absence with the Netherlands defeating Cuba 4-2 in a Group A game in Taiwan to open the...

Didi Gregorius singled home Roger Bernadina to tie it 1-1 in the third. He played in part of eight seasons with Oakland, Boston, Detroit and the New York Mets. Japan has won it twice (2006, 2009) and the Dominicans once (2013).

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- It was just over five months ago that Yadier Molina finished his distinguished, 19-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

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Team Japan roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic, headlined by Angels star Shohei Ohtani and Padres stud Yu Darvish.

The former Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks ace is focusing on preparing for his first Major League season instead of participating in the Classic. As for Darvish, he’s more of a veteran for Japan in the World Baseball Classic and will be one of their best guys on the mound. [World Baseball Classic](https://clutchpoints.com/team-usa-roster-for-2023-world-baseball-classic) features a plethora of talented ballclubs and right in the mix with the best is Team Japan. The only notable absence for Team Japan is Kodai Senga, who just signed with the New York Mets this offseason. Yoshida was an absolute star for the Orix Buffaloes for years before catching the attention of MLB clubs. He just made the move to the show in the offseason after inking a deal with the Red Sox.

Nelson Cruz made history as a player/general manager for the Dominican Republic team ahead of the World Baseball Classic.

However, his first order of business is to lead the [Dominican Republic](https://clutchpoints.com/team-dominican-republic-roster-for-2023-world-baseball-classic) to a deep World Baseball Classic run. “There’s a lot of things behind the scenes that us, the players, don’t find out, that fans don’t find out, media don’t find out,” Cruz said. [signed with the San Diego Padres](https://clutchpoints.com/padres-news-san-diego-adds-more-thump-with-nelson-cruz-deal) in free agency.

Dominican Republic (2013): This squad has three superstars (Juan Soto, Manny Machado, Rafael Devers), three young studs (Julio Rodríguez, Wander Franco, ...

and José Altuve (Venezuela), Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez (Puerto Rico) and Julio Urías and Randy Arozarena (Mexico). The WBC has a chance to Realmuto, Kyle Tucker, Kyle Schwarber, Cedric Mullins). Their ace is reigning National League Cy Young Sandy Alcántara. The rotation, however, is only OK. But fans' patience has been rewarded with a stacked group of talent that signed up to play after rave reviews from the previous edition. [Venezuela](https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/venezuela), [Puerto Rico](https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/puerto-rico) and [Mexico's](https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/mexico) rosters are probably the next three deepest, boasting players like Ronald Acuña Jr. [fill that void](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/mar/06/why-is-the-us-finally-treating-the-world-baseball-classic-like-a-world-cup). How it works: Over the next week, four pools of five teams will compete in round-robins across four host cities. The World Baseball Classic is back for the first time in six years. [odds](https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/baseball/world-baseball-classic) and a quick look at the rosters of the [United States](https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/united-states), [Dominican Republic](https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/dominican-republic) and [Japan](https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/japan), who have combined to win all four previous WBCs. [$](https://theathletic.com/4164855/2023/02/07/cardinals-mlb-world-baseball-classic/)).

Let's take a look at 10 names to watch whom you probably already know and 10 names you can learn now to fully enjoy the splendor of the WBC.

With an earthshaking selection of superstars from across the globe, MLB believes its vision of a baseball World Cup is starting to come into focus.

For Puerto Rico, the WBC represents a pinnacle of sports and as a result, players and fans treat the event with reverence. "This is the most waited-for event in Puerto Rico," Diaz said. "Before we can grow the MLB brand, we need to have the underlying sport of baseball to be more popular," Small said. "I'm hoping we can inspire coaches, and then from here, we can develop a player who makes it to the major leagues," Carroll said. For many American pitchers who are closing in on a big contract or are already being paid big money to be an ace for a World Series contender, ramping up for the World Baseball Classic is a bridge too far. The hope is that such a high-level competition -- not to mention some national pride -- will get fans around the world more invested in MLB's star players -- and more likely to become hooked into Major League Baseball itself. Insurance coverage would protect teams from having to pay a player for time missed because of an injury from the tournament. DESPITE THE FOCUS on new rules this spring to attract younger national audiences, the biggest area of growth for Major League Baseball isn't in the United States. The enthusiasm surrounding this WBC is of special interest to Major League Baseball, which has made the event a central part of its growing international ambitions. [Its starting lineup could be the best ever assembled](/mlb/insider/story/_/id/35761554/how-wbc-lineups-compare-best-mlb), with 57 total All-Star Games and five MVP trophies on the roster, the most for an American team in the WBC since the inaugural event in 2006. "Many of the best American players viewed themselves as bigger than the WBC." The victory also marked a sea of change in how American-born players view the event.

There's nowhere better in the world to be a baseball fan this month than the Valley. Not only is greater Phoenix hosting its usual slate of Cactus League ...

The U.S. is the runaway favorite to win the group. This year, the U.S. For MLB teams, the WBC should cause minimal disruption. Merrill Kelly will suit up for the U.S., while Alek Thomas, whose mother is Sonoran, will play for Mexico. That win sent the U.S. The group coming to town is Pool C — an exciting group with the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Colombia and Great Britain. There are four round-robin groups of five, with two teams from each advancing to the quarterfinals. Despite featuring star-studded teams, the U.S. The tournament expanded from 16 to 20 teams for this edition. In 2017, though, the U.S. The WBC is an international baseball tournament that was created in 2006 after the International Olympic Committee removed the sport from the Summer Games.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- For Sandor Guido and Team Nicaragua, Wednesday's game against the Mets was no meaningless exhibition. It was 17 years in the making.

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The World Baseball Classic continues Thursday with a Pool A matchup between Cuba and Italy at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium in Taiwan.

Cuba (0-1) and Italy (yet to play) are part of Pool A with the Netherlands (1-0), Chinese Taipei (0-1) and Panama (1-0). [Luis Robert Jr.](https://www.mlb.com/player/luis-robert-jr-673357), CF, Cuba: Robert is the best hitter in this lineup. [Vinnie Pasquantino](https://www.mlb.com/player/vinnie-pasquantino-686469), 1B, Italy: Pasquantino, still just 25, is the star of this team. [Roenis Elías](https://www.mlb.com/player/roenis-elias-606273), SP, Cuba: Elías has been a very solid pitcher during his Major League career, but recently, that’s only been as a reliever. It has participated in every WBC, riding a Cinderella story to its best finish (seventh) back in 2013. This will be Italy’s first game of the 2023 Classic.

TOKYO -- Robbie Glendinning hit 19 home runs in Double-A last year and added six more this winter playing for Melbourne in the Australia Baseball League.

The Aussies are expected to be strong favorites in that one and could put themselves in solid position to reach the second round of play for the first time in national team history. "I think he could put the team in a good mood for tomorrow." Box 4100","city":"Seattle","state":"Washington","stateAbbrev":"WA","postalCode":"98104","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":47.591333,"longitude":-122.33251},"country":"USA","phone":"(206) 346-4000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-8,"tz":"PST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2530,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2530"},"teamCode":"sea","fileCode":"sea","abbreviation":"SEA","teamName":"Mariners","locationName":"Seattle","firstYearOfPlay":"1977","league":{"id":103,"name":"American League","link":"/api/v1/league/103"},"division":{"id":200,"name":"American League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/200"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"Seattle","franchiseName":"Seattle","clubName":"Mariners","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":114,"name":"Cactus League","link":"/api/v1/league/114","abbreviation":"CL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":137,"name":"San Francisco Giants","link":"/api/v1/teams/137","season":2023,"venue":{"id":2395,"name":"Oracle Park","link":"/api/v1/venues/2395","location":{"address1":"24 Willie Mays Plaza","city":"San Francisco","state":"California","stateAbbrev":"CA","postalCode":"94107","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":37.778383,"longitude":-122.389448},"country":"USA","phone":"(415) 972-2000"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Los_Angeles","offset":-8,"tz":"PST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2532,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2532"},"teamCode":"sfn","fileCode":"sf","abbreviation":"SF","teamName":"Giants","locationName":"San Francisco","firstYearOfPlay":"1883","league":{"id":104,"name":"National League","link":"/api/v1/league/104"},"division":{"id":203,"name":"National League West","link":"/api/v1/divisions/203"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"San Francisco","franchiseName":"San Francisco","clubName":"Giants","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":138,"name":"St. Louis","clubName":"Cardinals","active":true},{"springLeague":{"id":115,"name":"Grapefruit League","link":"/api/v1/league/115","abbreviation":"GL"},"allStarStatus":"N","id":139,"name":"Tampa Bay Rays","link":"/api/v1/teams/139","season":2023,"venue":{"id":12,"name":"Tropicana Field","link":"/api/v1/venues/12","location":{"address1":"One Tropicana Drive","city":"St. Petersburg","state":"Florida","stateAbbrev":"FL","postalCode":"33705","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":27.767778,"longitude":-82.6525},"country":"USA","phone":"(727) 825-3137"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/New_York","offset":-5,"tz":"EST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2534,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2534"},"teamCode":"tba","fileCode":"tb","abbreviation":"TB","teamName":"Rays","locationName":"St. Louis","firstYearOfPlay":"1892","league":{"id":104,"name":"National League","link":"/api/v1/league/104"},"division":{"id":205,"name":"National League Central","link":"/api/v1/divisions/205"},"sport":{"id":1,"link":"/api/v1/sports/1","name":"Major League Baseball"},"shortName":"St. Louis","state":"Missouri","stateAbbrev":"MO","postalCode":"63102","defaultCoordinates":{"latitude":38.62256667,"longitude":-90.19286667},"country":"USA","phone":"(314) 345-9600"},"timeZone":{"id":"America/Chicago","offset":-6,"tz":"CST"},"active":true,"season":"2023"},"springVenue":{"id":2520,"link":"/api/v1/venues/2520"},"teamCode":"sln","fileCode":"stl","abbreviation":"STL","teamName":"Cardinals","locationName":"St. For Team Korea, the loss is a huge dent to its goal of moving to the second round for the first time since the 2009 tournament, making Friday’s game against Japan (5 a.m. "When I put the tag on, I knew for a fact that he came off the base. In the bottom of the seventh, pinch-hitter Baekho Kang smashed a one-out double to left field. Suffice to say, he’d definitely never hit a home run that was watched by so many people as he did on Thursday in the World Baseball Classic. Louis Cardinals","link":"/api/v1/teams/138","season":2023,"venue":{"id":2889,"name":"Busch Stadium","link":"/api/v1/venues/2889","location":{"address1":"700 Clark Street","city":"St.

But of course it's not. There are a lot of real Major League Baseball players out there, wearing their country's uniforms, and when a certain country's team is ...

1 prospect](https://www.mlb.com/prospects/mariners/harry-ford-695670) will be [catching for the Brits](https://www.mlb.com/news/harry-ford-excited-to-represent-team-britain-in-world-baseball-classic). He may be one of Team USA’s top starters. and it most certainly won’t be the last time. Stroman was the MVP for Team USA six years ago. He’s now on your team, Phillies fans. He’s a middle-of-the-order hitter for both Team Mexico and the Nats. Is this the year Acuña is an MVP candidate again? which might just be the case for Team USA as well. If Italy can surprise some people, Vinnie could be a cult hero outside of just Kansas City. For many Red Sox fans, the WBC will be the first real chance to see their new free agent signee play at all. Both teams are upstarts looking to surprise this go-around. It’d be nice to see him perk up playing for his home Puerto Rican team.