Cleveland Sports Forum

It does!

Looks like Puerto Rico is headed down the same path as Cuba did two years ago. Cuba lost its first three games but their first win qualified them for the semi-finals. They went on to win the semi final round and followed that up by beating Mexico for the championship.

Puerto Rico lost their first three games but won their qualifying game. Today, they have a sizeable 9-1 lead over Venezuela in the sixth inning. A win would propel them to the championship round tomorrow. They would play the winner or tonight's semifinal game between Cuba vs Mexico.

DAY 7; 2/6/17 1ST SEMI FINAL GAME Puerto Rico dispatched Venezuela from the Caribbean Series

The Criollos de Caguas from Puerto Rico dispatched the Eagles of Zulia from Venezuela from the Caribbean Series with a 9-6 win, after taking advantage of the lack of control of the Zulian pitchers and getting the necessary runs that it took to win.

The Puerto Ricans got the game started quickly in the first inning when Rusney Castillo started the attack with a liner to right field and Henry Ramos scored.

The starter Mitch Lively showed little control and congested the pads with one out. Henry Ramos singled. Ivan De Jesus Jr. singled. Henry Ramos to 2nd. David Vidal flies out to right. Henry Ramos to 3rd. Rusney Castillo singled. Henry Ramos scores. Ivan De Jesus Jr. to 2nd. Ruben Gotay walked. Ivan De Jesus Jr. to 3rd and Rusney Castillo to 2nd. Jorge Padilla walked in a run. Jesmuel Valentin hit a sacrifice fly to left and Rusney Castillo scored. Yadiel Rivera singled and Ruben Gotay scored the fourth run of the inning giving Puerto Rico a quick 4-0 lead.
Jonathan Morales strikes out swinging.

Caguas added two more runs in the third inning. With two outs, Jorge Padilla walked and scored on Jesmuel Valentin's double (1) to center. Yadiel Rivera drove in Jesmuel Valentin with a base hit to right extending the lead to 6-0..

Puerto Rico continued to pile it on in the fourth. David Vidal's single drove in Henry Ramos from the third. The runs kept coming in the fifth when Puerto Rico loaded the bases with two out. Jonathan Morales singled on a sharp ground ball to pitcher Romulo Sanchez. Eddie Rosario scored from third. Henry Ramos grounded out to end the threat but the lead was extended to 8-0.

The Eagles put an end to the whitewash in the lower part of that same inning. Jose Castillo singled with one out. Jose Pirela doubles (1) to left. Jose Castillo to 3rd. Alex Romero grounds out but Jose Castillo scored from third cutting the lead to 8-1

The Puerto Ricans scored once more in the sixth to regain the eight run advantage 9-1 on David Vidal's solo homer to the left field. Venezuela answered in the bottom of the sixth when Dennis Phipps countered Vidal's homer with one of his own cutting the lead to 9-2.

Zulia tried to mount a two out comeback in the home half of the eighth inning. With two out Ali Castillo and Freddy Galvis had back to back singles. Ronny Cedeno doubles (2) to right. Ali Castillo and Freddy Galvis scored. Fernando Cabrera replaced William Oliver and walked Rene Reyes. With Jose Castillo batting, a wild pitch by Fernando Cabrera advanced both runners. Jose Castillo singled on a line drive to center driving in Ronny Cedeno and Rene Reyes. After another pitching change, Jose Pirela ended the threat and flied out to first baseman Ruben Gotay in foul territory.

The Eagles said goodbye to the Caribbean Series with a positive record of 3-2. Orlando Román got the win (1-0), Mitch Lively lost (0-1), Ricardo Gomez got his first save.
HIGHLIGHTS


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr19wn_N7L0

DAY 7; 2/6/17 2ND SEMI FINAL GAME Mexicali nips Cubans, 1-0, to reach CS final vs. surprising Caguas
Miguel Pena (pictured) built a shutout over the first five innings and Hector Daniel Rodriguez carried it another three before Jake Sanchez closed the deal as the Mexicali Aguilas shut out Cuba's Granma Alazanes, 1-0, Monday night as another sellout crowd of 19,177 looked on at Culiacan's Estadio Tomateros. The win punches Mexico's ticket to a fifth consecutive Caribbean Series championship game, this one against Puerto Rico's Caguas Criollos on Tuesday night.

However, this win didn't come easily for the Mexican Pacific League champions, whose recent offensive struggles continued after a hot start. Mexicali now has 11 hits combined over their past two games.
Lázaro Blanco

MEXICALI (MX) Aguilas 1-5-0, Granma (CU) Alazanes 0-2-1

Starting with Sunday's 4-0 loss to Granma, Mexicali's scoreless string against Alazanes pitching reached 13 innings before the Aguilas broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth on Monday. Cuban expat Ronnier Mustelier led off with a walk against Granma starter Lazaro Blanco, scurried to third when Sebastian Valle's bunt single drew a bad throw by Cuban third baseman Yunior Paumier and then came in to score on Agustin Murillo's single to left. It was as close to home as anyone would get the rest of the night.

Blanco settled down and resumed his duel with Aguilas starter Pena, who gave up no runs on two hits in five innings before making way for Rodriguez. The Culiacan native, who won Mexicali's opening game against Caguas on Wednesday, picked up the shutout and carried it through the eighth. For his part, Blanco lasted through the seventh, allowing just one run on four hits for an excellent start. Livan Moinelo took the mound in the bottom of the eighth for Granma and blanked the Aguilas. It then came down to closer Sanchez, the MexPac Reliever of the Year who has allowed one earned run all winter, to close out the win and a berth against Caguas in Tuesday's final.

Sanchez opened the ninth by getting Roel Santos to tap a comebacker to the hill, which Sanchez threw to first for the out. The Cal Baptist product worked to a full count before walking Victor Mesa. Pinch-hitter Guillermo Aviles grounded to second baseman Isaac Rodriguez, who flipped the ball to shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to force Mesa at second, but Betancourt's relay to C.J. Retherford was ruled not in time to beat Aviles to the bag. That brought Mexicali manager Roberto Vizcarra out of the dugout and an appeal was made, but the call was upheld with Aviles safe at first on a fielder's choice and two out. Sanchez went back to work and caught Alexander Ayala looking for strike three to complete the shutout for his second CS save, sending the Aguilas into the championship game against the Puerto Ricans. Mexicali opened their first round schedule with a 4-2 win over Caguas on Wednesday.

Pena got the win with his first start of this CS. Pena, Rodriguez and Sanchez combined to limit the Cuban batting order to two hits and one walk, striking out ten Granma batters (Rodriguez had five in three innings). Blanco gave up one run on four hits with five whiffs over seven innings in a tough-luck loss. Chris Roberson singled and drew two walks for Mexicali as the Eagles gathered just five hits. Mesa singled and Ayala doubled for Granma's lone hits of the night.
HIGHLIGHTS


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDXngJ0SIL0

DAY 8; 2/7/17 SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP GAME TUESDAY NIGHT

CAGUAS CRIOLLOS FROM PUERTO RICO TO THE FINALS OF THE CARIBBEAN SERIES

Caguas jumped out to a 4-0 first inning lead and David Vidal socked his third Caribbean Series homer as the Criollos surprised Venezuela's Zulia Aguilas, 9-6, Monday afternoon in the first CS semifinal of the day. The victory gave the Puerto Rican champs, who'd barely snuck into the Final Four after losing three of their four round-robin games (including a 4-3 loss to Zulia last Thursday), a berth in Tuesday's title game against Mexicali.


<

MEXICALI AGUILAS FROM MEXICO TO THE FINALS OF THE CARIBBEAN SERIES

Miguel Pena (pictured) built a shutout over the first five innings and Hector Daniel Rodriguez carried it another three before Jake Sanchez closed the deal as the Mexicali Aguilas shut out Cuba's Granma Alazanes, 1-0, Monday night as another sellout crowd of 19,177 looked on at Culiacan's Estadio Tomateros. The win punches Mexico's ticket to a fifth consecutive Caribbean Series championship game, this one against Puerto Rico's Caguas Criollos on Tuesday night

The championship game is scheduled to start at 10:00 pm Eastern time

DAY 8; 2/7/17 SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Puerto Rico returns to the Caribbean throne
The Creoles win the Caribbean Series
First title for the Puerto Ricans since 2000
Puerto Rico is the King of the Caribbean

CS Championship: Mexicali loses, 1-0, in grandest of finales

One night after knocking Cuba's Granma Alazanes out of Caribbean Series title contention with a 1-0 semifinal win, the Mexican Pacific League flag-bearing Mexicali Aguilas found themselves in one more pitching-dominated battle in Tuesday's CS championship game against Puerto Rico's Caguas Criollos. The contest lived up to its importance by going into extra innings before the Criollos snuck away with a 1-0 win over the Aguilas to claim their fourth Serie del Caribe title. An SRO crowd of 20,454 watched the contest at Culiacan's Estadio Tomateros, which was sold out for six of the seven days of play.

The 17-time Puerto Rican pennant winners won previous CS crowns in 1954, 1974 and 1987. Caguas was a surprise finalist after losing three of four first stage round robin game, only reaching the semis by topping winless Dominican representative Licey on Saturday and then outscoring Zulia of Venezuela, 9-6, Monday to reach the final. Mexicali was seeking its second Serie del Caribe title and first since 1986 under Francisco Estrada. The Aguilas' MexPac flag is their fourth.
Caguas (PR) Criollos 1-7-1, MEXICALI (MX) Aguilas 0-4-1 (10)

Unsurprisingly, the title contest quickly became a duel between the two Pitchers of the Year in their respective leagues. Caguas' Adlaberto Flores stymied the Mexicali lineup through six innings, blanking the Aguilas on one hit and a walk. Flores was greatly aided by his infielders, with three double plays turned behind him. Likewise, Hector Velazquez (who led the MexPac in wins and strikeouts pitching for Navojoa) kept the Criollos in check for six shutout innings on five hits before giving way to Tyler Alexander in the seventh. A TCU alum and now a starter in the Tigers system, Alexander carried the shutout through the seventh and eighth, allowing one hit.

There were a pair of unsuccessful Criollos scoring threats early. In the top of the first, Caguas had Ivan De Jesus, Jr. on third and David Vidal on second after doubling with one out, but Rusney Castillo grounded out to Jesse Castillo at first and Ruben Gotay popped out to shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to end the inning. Velazquez had to bear down extra one more time in the top of the fifth when the Puerto Ricans had Jesmuel Valentin at second with one out before Henry Ramos and De Jesus both flew out to Chris Roberson in center for the second and third outs, respectively.

For their part, Mexicali was unable to put a runner into scoring position until the bottom of the seventh, when Roberson led off with a single to leff off reliever Andres Santiago, who replaced Flores when the latter retired with an injured hand, and advanced to second on Jason Bourgeios' sacrifice bunt in front of home plate. That chance faded to dust after Santiago struck out Betancourt on a full-count pitch and whiffed C.J. Retherford on four deliveries.

After Alexander retired the Criollos in order in the top of the eighth, it was the Aguilas' turn to try breaking the deadlock. LMP batting champion Luis Juarez opened the frame by punching Santiago's first pitch into left field for Mexicali's third hit, followed by a Ronnier Mustelier sacrifice bunt that advanced Juarez into scoring position at second. Santiago walked Castillo in five pitches, but the former Dodgers and Cubs farmhand fanned pinch-hitter Yordanys Linares swinging for the second out. Ramon Rios batted next and the Aguilas shortstop hit a grounder to his Caguas counterpart, Yadiel Rivera, who threw to third for the force but Juarez was called safe. The call was challenged by Caguas skipper Luis Matos and subsequently reversed, with Juarez called out at third to end the inning.

Oliver Perez replaced Alexander on the hill for the Aguilas in the top of the ninth (with Sebastian Valle replacing Xorge Carrillo behind the plate), and the 14-year MLBer got the Puerto Ricans out in order, throwing 11 of 14 pitches for strikes. Mexicali could do little better, with Betancourt's single the only sign of life as Cubs minor leaguer Miguel Mejia held the Eagles scoreless to send the contest into overtime.

Aguilas closer Jake Sanchez took over in the tenth and gave up a leadoff double to Rivera, who moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jesmuel Valentin and then scored the first run of the game for either side on Jonathan Morales' sacrifice fly to Roberson in center. It was only the second earned run Sanchez has given up since the season opened in October, but it was a big one, and the Aguilas batters had their work cut out for them in the bottom of the tenth.

With Mejia still pitching, Juarez grounded to short on the first pitch for the first out and Mustelier lined out to right for the second out, leaving the Caribbean Series (and Aguilas' season) in the hands of Jesse Castillo. After looking at one pitch for a called strike, the 31-year-old Mexicali native and veteran of 13 Mexican League summers lined out to Rivera at short to end the game.

Mejia got the win for Caguas with two innings of one-hit shutout ball while Sanchez took the loss for Mexicali. Rivera singled and doubled for two of the Criollos' seven hits, scoring the game's lone run. The Aguilas' four hits were spread among Roberson, Betancourt, Juarez and Carrillo as the Mexicans were 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left four men on base. After hitting .324 and pushing 16 runs across in their first three CS games, manager Roberto Vizcarra's squad scored once over their final three games.
Adalberto Flores

HIGHLIGHTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdESPyG9150

<

<
<
<4

POOL A Gocheok Sky Dome, Seoul, South Korea, March 6-10

Chinese Taipai

Pitchers

Hung-Wen Chen
Kuan-Yu Chen
Ping-Hsueh Chen, Cleveland Indians
Yun-Wen Chen*
Shao-Ching Chiang, Cleveland Indians
Sheng-Hsiung Huang
Chun-Lin Kuo
Hung-Cheng Lai**
Chen-Hua Lin
Kuo-Hua Lo*
Yen-Ching Lu**
Fu-Te Ni
Wei-Lun Pan
Chia-Hao Sung
Ming-Chin Tsai
Cheng-Hao Wang**
Chien-Ming Wang**
Ching-Ming Wang
Wei-Chung Wang**, Milwaukee Brewers
Chun-Chieh Wu**
Chien-Fu Yang**
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Ta-Hung Cheng
Kun-Sheng Lin

Infielders

Yung-Chi Chen
Chih-Hsien Chiang
Chiâ€"Hung Hsu
Chih-Hsiang Lin
Chih-Sheng Lin
Yi-Chuan Lin
Sheng-Wei Wang

Outfielders

Cheng-Wei Chang
Chih-Hao Chang
Chin-Lung Hu
Kuo-Hui Kao
Che-Hsuan Lin
Guo-Long Luo

Israel:

Pitchers

Dylan Axelrod
Corey Baker, St. Louis Cardinals
Jeremy Bleich
** Richard Bleier, New York Yankees
Craig Breslow
Daniel Burawa
Gabe Cramer, Kansas City Royals
** Scott Feldman, Cincinnati Reds
** Jake Fishman, Toronto Blue Jays
** Brad Goldberg, Chicago White Sox
Tyler Herron
Jake Kalish, Kansas City
Alex Katz, Chicago White Sox
** Kenny Koplove, Philadelphia Phillies
Dean Kremer, Los Angeles Dodgers
** Jared Lakind, Pittsburgh Pirates
* Shlomo Lipetz
Jason Marquis
Troy Neiman, Colorado Rockies
R.C. Orlan, Washington Nationals
** Ryan Sherriff, St. Louis Cardinals
** Zach Thornton
* Joey Wagman, Oakland Athletics
Josh Zeid
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Ryan Lavarnway, Oakland Athletics
Nick Rickles, Washington Nationals

Infielders

Scott Burcham, Colorado Rockies
Ike Davis, Los Angeles Dodgers
Nate Freiman
Ty Kelly, New York Mets
Tyler Krieger, Cleveland Indians

Outfielders

Zachary Borenstein, Arizona Diamondbacks
Sam Fuld
Blake Gailen
Mike Meyers, Boston Red Sox

Utility

Cody Decker, Milwaukee Brewers

Netherlands:

Pitchers

Nelmerson Angela, New York Mets**
Mike Bolsenbroek*
Robbie Cordemans
Tom de Blok
Kevin Heijstek**
Lars Huijer
Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers**
Jair Jurrjens
Kevin Kelly**
Ruderly Manuel**
Diegomar Markwell
Shairon Martis
Ryan Oduber, Boston Red Sox**
Mark Pawelek**
Jim Ploeger
Tom Stuifbergen
Juan Carlos Sulbaran
Rick van den Hurk
Berry van Driel**
Loek van Mil
Orlando Yntema*
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Shawn Zarraga, Cincinnati Reds
Ricardo Dashenko

Infielders

Xander Bogaerts, Boston Red Sox
Yurendell de Caster
Didi Gregorius, New York Yankees
Jurickson Profar, Texas Rangers
Jonathan Schoop, Baltimore Orioles
Sharlon Schoop, Baltimore Orioles
Andrelton Simmons, Los Angeles Angels
Curt Smith

Outfielders
Kalian Sams
Randolph Oduber
Christopher Garia
Wladimir Balentien

Utility

Dwayne Kemp

South Korea:

Pitchers

Woochan Cha
Won Jun Chang
Sihwan Jang
Hyunseung Lee
Changyong Lim
Jung Woo Lim
Seung-Hwan Oh, St. Louis Cardinals
Heesoo Park
Dae-Eun Rhee
Chang Min Sim
Jonghyun Won
Kyu Min Woo
Hyeonjong Yang

Catchers

Taegun Kim
Euiji Yang

Infielders

Kyoungmin Hur
Haseong Kim
Jaeho Kim
Tae Kyun Kim
Dae-Ho Lee
Jaewon Oh
Geonchang Seo

Outfielders

Hyoungwoo Choi
Youngkyu Lee
Byunghun Min
Kunwoo Park
Ah-seop Son
<5

POOL B Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, March 7-11

Australia:

Pitchers

Pitchers

Tim Atherton
Tom Bailey**
Travis Blackley, Tigers
Justin Erasmus**
Joshua Guyer**
Hendriks*, A's
Samuel Holland, Angels**
Jon Kennedy, Braves
Steven Kent, Braves
Daniel McGrath, Red Sox**
Moylan
Chris Oxspring**
Rowland-Smith
Dushan Ruzic
Warwick Saupold, Tigers*
Ryan Searle
Samuel Street, Pirates**
Josh Tols
Todd Van Steensetl, Twins
Alexander Wells, Orioles
Lachlan Wells, Twins*
Matt Williams
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Allan De San Miguel, Royals
Michell Nilsson
Robert Perkins, Rockies

Infielders

James Beresford
Brad Harman
Luke Hughes
Logan Wade
Mike Walker
Stefan Welch

Outfielders

Michell Dening
David Kandilas
Timothy Kennelly
Trent Oeltjen
Aaron Whitefield, Twins

China:

Pitchers

Bruce Chen
Kun Chen
Andrew Chin
Quan Gan
Haicheng Gong
Kwon Ju
Xin Li
Yu Liu
Chao Lu
Yusong Lu
Xia Luo
Jiping Qi
Menghao Wang
Yanyong Yang
Chaoqun Zheng

Catchers

Ning Li
Weiqiang Meng
Wei Wang, Seattle Mariners

Infielders

Ray Chang
Fujia Chu
Xiaolei Du
Zeyuan Li
Joey Wong
Gui Yuan Xu, Baltimore Orioles

Outfielders

Yanpeng Chen
Zhenhong Lu
Chuang Na
Shunyi Yang

Cuba:

Pitchers

Freddy Alvarez*
Vladimir Banos
Lazaro Blanco
Erly Casanova**
Yoalkis Cruz**
Dachel Duquesne**
Noervys Entenza
Jose Garcia
Vladimir Garcia
Liomil Gonzalez**
Yasmany Hernandez**
Miguel Lahera
Jonder Martinez**
Leandro Martinez*
Raidel Martinez
Frank Medina**
Livan Moinelo
Jose Rodriguez**
Alain Sanchez
Yosbany Torres
Yoennis Yera
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Yosvani Alarcon
Frank Morejon
Osvaldo Vazquez

Infielders

Guillermo Avilés
Alexander Ayala
Carlos Benítez
Jeferson Delgado
Yurisbel Gracial
Jordan Manduley
William Saavedra

Outfielders

Frederich Cepeda
Yoelkis Cespedes
Alfredo Despaigne
Victor Mesa
Roel Santos

Japan:

Pitchers

Ryo Akiyoshi
Shintaro Fujinami
Yoshihisa Hirano*
Kenta Ishida**
Ayumu Ishikawa
Yuta Iwasada**
Kazuhisa Makita
Tatsushi Masuda**
Hirotoshi Masui
Yuki Matsui
Naoki Myanishi
Masahiko Morifuku**
Yusuke Nomura**
Takahiro Norimoto
Daichi Ohsera**
Toshiya Okada
Hirokazu Sawamura**
Kodai Senga
Tomoyuki Sugano
Shota Takeda
Yasuaki Yamasaki**
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Seiji Kobayashi
Shota Ohno
Motohiro Shima

Infielders

Ryosuke Kikuchi
Nobuhiro Matsuda
Sho Nakata
Hayato Sakamoto
Kosuke Tanaka
Tetsuto Yamada

Outfielders

Shogo Akiyama
Norichika Aoki, Houston Astros
Ryosuke Hirata
Seiya Suzuki
Yoshitomo Tsutsugoh
Seiichi Uchikawa
<6
<7
<8

POOL C Marlins Park, Miami, March 9-13

Canada:

Pitchers

Andrew Albers, Atlanta Braves
John Axford, Oakland A's
Kevin Chapman, Houston Astros
Shane Dawson, Toronto Blue Jays
Ryan Dempster
Eric Gagne
Jim Henderson, Chicago Cubs
Chris Leroux
Adam Loewen
Scott Mathieson
Dustin Molleken, Detroit Tigers
Nick Pivetta, Philadelphia Phillies
Scott Richmond
Rowan Wick, St. Louis Cardinals

Catchers

Kellin Deglan, New York Yankees
George Kottaras

Infielders

Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
Jonathan Malo
Russell Martin, Toronto Blue Jays (if approved)
Justin Morneau
Josh Naylor, San Diego Padres
Pete Orr
Daniel Pinero, Detroit Tigers
Eric Wood, Pittsburgh Pirates

Outfielders

Michael Crouse
Tyler O'Neill, Seattle Mariners
Dalton Pompey, Toronto Blue Jays
Jamie Romak, San Diego Padres
Rene Tosoni

Colombia:

Pitchers

Horacio Acosta*
Kendy Batista**
Randy Consuegra**
Nabil Crismatt, New York Mets
William Cuevas, Detroit Tigers
Dayan Diaz, Houston Astros
Luis Escobar**, Pittsburgh Pirates
Ernesto Frieri
Tayron Guerrero, Miami Marlins
Sugar Ray Marimon
Erling Moreno**, Chicago Cubs
Guillermo Moscoso
Greg Nappo, Miami Marlins*
Javier Ortiz
Yohan Pino, Minnesota Twins
Jose Quintana, Chicago White Sox
Reiver Sanmartin**, Texas Rangers
Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves
Karl Triana
Angel Vilchez**
Ezequiel Zabaleta**, New York Mets
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Jorge Alfaro, Philadelphia Phillies
Jhonatan Solano, Washington Nationals
Meibrys Viloria, Kansas City Royals

Infielders

Dilson Herrera, Cincinnati Reds
Mauricio Ramos, Kansas City Royals
Reynaldo Rodriguez, Minnesota Twins
Adrian Sanchez, Washington Nationals
Donovan Solano, New York Yankees
Giovanny Urshela, Cleveland Indians

Outfielders

Efrain Contreras
Tito Polo, New York Yankees
Jesus Valdez

Dominican Republic:

Pitchers

Fernando Abad, Boston Red Sox
** Dellin Betances, New York Yankees
Santiago Casilla, Oakland A's
Alex Colome, Tampa Bay Rays
Bartolo Colon, Atlanta Braves
** Johnny Cueto, San Francisco Giants
Samuel Deduno
* Jumbo Diaz, Cincinnati Reds
Juerys Familia, New York Mets
Edgar Garcia
** Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals
Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies
Ivan Nova, Pittsburgh Pirates
** Wily Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers
** Alex Reyes, St. Louis Cardinals
** Hansel Robles, New York Mets
Fernando Rodney, Arizona Diamondbacks
**Bryan Rodriguez, San Diego Padres
Enny Romero, Washington Nationals
Luis Severino, New York Yankees
**Cesar Valdez, Oakland A's
** Edinson Volquez, Miami Marlins
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Welington Castillo, Baltimore Orioles
Alberto Rosario, St. Louis Cardinals

Infielders

Adrian Beltre, Texas Rangers
Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
Manny Machado, Baltimore Orioles
Hanley Ramirez, Boston Red Sox
Jose Reyes, New York Mets
Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians
Jonathan Villar, Milwaukee Brewers

Outfielders

Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays
Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners
Starling Marte, Pittsburgh Pirates
Gregory Polanco, Pittsburgh Pirates
Mel Rojas Jr., Atlanta Braves

United States:

Pitchers

Chris Archer, Rays
Brett Cecil, Cardinals**
Tyler Clippard, Yankees
Danny Duffy, Royals*
Sam Dyson, Rangers
Michael Fulmer, Tigers**
Mychal Givens, Orioles
Sonny Gray, Athletics**
Luke Gregerson, Astros
J.A. Happ, Blue Jays**
Nate Jones, White Sox
Jake McGee, Rockies
Andrew Miller, Indians
Pat Neshek, Phillies
Tanner Roark, Nationals*
Drew Smyly, Mariners**
Marcus Stroman, Blue Jays
Alex Wilson, Tigers**
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

A.J. Ellis, Marlins
Jonathan Lucroy, Rangers
Buster Posey, Giants

Infielders

Nolan Arenado, Rockies
Alex Bregman, Astros
Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
Brandon Crawford, Giants
Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
Eric Hosmer, Royals
Ian Kinsler, Tigers
Daniel Murphy, Nationals

Outfielders

Adam Jones, Orioles
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins
Christian Yelich, Marlins

<9
POOL D Estadio Telmex de Atletismo, Jalisco, Mexico, March 9-13

Italy:

Pitchers

Filippo Crepaldi**
Tiago Da Silva
Frank De Jiulio**
Mike DeMark
Jose Escalona**
Nick Fanti, Philadelphia Philliles
Frailyn Florian
Sam Gaviglio, Seattle Mariners
Tommy Layne, New York Yankees
Luis Lugo, Cleveland Indians
Alessandro Maestri
A.J. Morris
Trey Nielsen, St. Louis Cardinals
Orlando Junior Oberto*
Luca Panerati**
Jordan Romano, Toronto Blue Jays
Carlos Teran*
Pat Venditte, Seattle Mariners
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Drew Butera, Kansas City Royals
Francisco Cervelli, Pittsburgh Pirates
Marco Sabbatani

Infielders

Gavin Cecchini, New York Mets
Chris Colabello, Cleveland Indians
Daniel Descalso
Alex Liddi
Andrew Maggi, Los Angeles Dodgers
Rob Segedin, Los Angeles Dodgers
Alessandro Vaglio

Outfielders

John Andreoli, Chicago Cubs
Mario Chiarini
Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets
Sebastiano Poma

Mexico

Pitchers

Miguel Aguilar**, Arizona Diamondbacks
Andres Avila**, Atlanta Braves
Jorge De La Rosa
Marco Estrada**, Toronto Blue Jays
Charles Fisher**, San Diego Padres
Yovani Gallardo, Seattle Mariners
Giovanny Gallegos, New York Yankees
Jaime Garcia, Atlanta Braves
Miguel Gonzalez, Chicago White Sox
Rafael Martin**, Washington Nationals
Luis Mendoza*
Mario Meza**, Chicago Cubs
Vidal Nuno, Los Angeles Dodgers
Roberto Osuna*, Toronto Blue Jays
Oliver Perez, Washington Nationals
Sergio Romo
Ivan Salas**
Fernando Salas
Jake Sanchez, Oakland A's
Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals
Carlos Torres, Milwaukee Brewers
Julio Urias**, Los Angeles Dodgers
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Xorge Carrillo, New York Mets
Sebastian Valle, Seattle Mariners

Infielders

Japhet Amador
Daniel Castro, Colorado Rockies
Luis Cruz
Adrian Gonzalez, Los Angeles Dodgers
Brandon Laird
Esteban Quiroz
Jose "Manny" Rodriguez

Outfielders

Jose Aguilar
Khris Davis, Oakland A's
Efren Navarro, Detroit Tigers
Christopher Roberson
Alex Verdugo, Los Angeles Dodgers

Puerto Rico

Pitchers

Andrew Barbosa, Milwaukee Brewers**
Jose Berrios, Minnesota Twins
Hiram Burgos, Milwaukee Brewers
Alex Claudio, Texas Rangers
Joseph Colon, Cleveland Indians*
Jose De la Torre**
Jose De Leon, Tampa Bay Rays**
Edwin Diaz, Seattle Mariners
Rayan Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies**
Joe Jimenez, Detroit Tigers
Jorge Lopez, Milwaukee Brewers
Seth Lugo, New York Mets
Miguel Mejia, Chicago Cubs*
Emilio Pagan, Seattle Mariners
Joel Pineiro**
Dereck Rodriguez, Minnesota Twins**
Orlando Roman
J.C. Romero
Andres Santiago**
Hector Santiago, Minnesota Twins
Mario Santiago**
Giovanni Soto, Chicago White Sox
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
Rene Rivera, New York Mets
Roberto Perez, Cleveland Indians

Infielders

Mike Aviles
Javier Baez, Chicago Cubs
Carlos Correa, Houston Astros
Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
T.J. Rivera, New York Mets
Kennys Vargas, Minnesota Twins

Outfielders

Carlos Beltran, Houston Astros
Reymond Fuentes, Arizona Diamondbacks
Angel Pagan
Eddie Rosario, Minnesota Twins

Utility

Kiké Hernandez, Los Angeles Dodgers

Venezuela:

Pitcher

Jose Alvarado, Rays
Jose Alvarez, Angels*
Omar Bencomo
Silvino Bracho, Diamondbacks
Leonel, Campos, Jays**
Jose Castillo, Padres*
Jhoulys Chacin, Padres
Jeanmar Gomez, Phillies
Deolis Guerra, Angels
Felix Hernandez, Mariners
Gregory Infante, White Sox**
Wilfredo Ledezma
Arcenio Leon, Tigers**
Jhondaniel Medina, Cubs**
Franklin Morales**
Martin Perez, Rangers
Yusmeiro Petit
Edubray Ramos, Phillies**
Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox**
Francisco Rodriguez, Tigers
Bruce Rondon, Tigers
Hector Rondon, Cubs**
Robert Suarez
* Active designated pitchers pool
** Designated pitchers pool

Catchers

Salvador Perez, Royals
Robinson Chirinos, Rangers

Infielders

Jose Altuve, Astros
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
Alcides Escobar, Royals
Freddy Galvis, Phillies
Yangervis Solarte, Padres
Martin Prado, Marlins

Outfielders

Hernan Perez, Brewers
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
Odubel Herrera, Phillies
Ender Inciarte, Braves
Designated hitters
Victor Martinez, Tigers

Dominican Republic will be the team to beat in the Classic

The champions will be loaded with seasoned veterans and those who were in the previous edition when they won everything

The roster presented by the current champions, the Dominican Republic, has all the potential to again be the team to beat in the World Baseball Classic.

The roster is loaded with seasoned veterans and veterans who were in the previous edition when they achieved the great triumph and broke the supremacy of the teams from Japan, who had won the first two editions and got a bronze in 2013 when Puerto Rico won the silver.

The Dominicans will return figures like Robison Canó, Adrián Beltré, Nelson Cruz and José Bautista, the heavy artillery, while on the mound there will be stars like Edinson Vólquez, Johnny Cueto, Carlos Martínez, Iván Nova and Bartolo Colon, among others .

WBC 2017 preview: Breaking down Team DR

If it isn't already the favorite to repeat its World Baseball Classic run, the defending-champion Dominican Republic is certainly on a short list. With the return of many key contributors and the addition of a few All-Stars making their first appearances, the D.R. should be poised for a lengthy run in the game's most decorated international tournament this March.

How they fared in the past

The D.R. will enter this year's Classic riding a lengthy win streak of sorts. In 2013, it became the first team in the brief Classic history to win the title with a perfect record -- it finished 8-0 with a plus-22 run differential -- as the first champion from the Western Hemisphere. Cano, who went 15-for-32 over that stretch, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Robinson Cano

It hasn't been all outstanding for the Dominican Republic, though. In 2009, the Dominicans didn't make it out of pool play after dropping two major upsets to the Netherlands. In the inaugural World Baseball Classic in '06, the D.R. won five of its first six games to reach the championship round, but it finished fourth after losing in the semifinals to Cuba in a game in which Bartolo Colon pitched six scoreless innings.

What they should do well
There might not be a more defensively athletic bunch in this year's tournament than the D.R., which as of now owns 11 Gold Glove Awards, including five from Beltre, who returns after missing the past two Classics. With Beltre at third base, Machado figures to be the starting shortstop, the position at which he was drafted and where he played 45 games in 2016 for the Orioles. Also contributing will be the athletic Pirates pair of Polanco and Marte, who make up one of the Majors' best outfields.

The Dominicans also boast power, with five players who hit at least 30 homers in 2016 -- not including Sanchez, who blasted 20 in just 53 games last year, or veteran power source Bautista.

Where they could struggle

If the postseasons of late have proven anything, showcased most notably in 2016, an effective bullpen can be the catalyst for a championship run in a winner-take-all format.

As of now, Betances is the only reliever committed to the D.R., and the hard-hurling Yankees righty seemed to be bothered by fatigue at the end of the 2016 regular season, posting an 0-2 record with a blown save and 9.64 ERA in his final 11 outings. While Betances should be fresh come spring, he'll need strong bullpen complements, as D.R. general manager Moises Alou acknowledged at the Winter Meetings.
Team Dominican Republic manager Moises Alou

"We have the offensive weapons and the starting pitching," Alou said. "Hopefully, we can put together the best bullpen."

Other relievers who could join the D.R. include Jeurys Familia and Alex Colome.

how far they could go

With wealth of power and defensive versatility, the Dominicans have to be considered a heavy favorite to repeat; however, the field figures to be far more evenly competitive. Team USA figures to take a major step forward in contending for its first WBC title, and Puerto Rico boasts some of the best young infielders. Venezuela can't be overlooked with its veteran experience, and Japan has won two of the three titles.

If the Dominicans can complement their remarkable offense with strong pitching, they figure to make a deep run once more.

Edwin Rodríguez is the leader of the Puerto Rico team.

New faces on the roster for Puerto Rico for the World Classic

Meet the 28 players who will represent the Island in the tournament

With a couple of surprises and the inclusion of 18 new faces, Major League Baseball announced tonight the roster of Puerto Rico and the other 15 teams that will take part in the World Baseball Classic 2017 to be played in March.

The Puerto Rican team, currently the runner-up in the world classic after their demonstration in the 2013 edition, will debut on March 10 against Venezuela as part of Group D's action in Guadalajara, Mexico.

As expected, the roster of 28 players from Puerto Rico included the names of the main Puerto Rican components in Major League Baseball such as the best catcher in the majors, Yadier Molina, and the veteran outfielder and solid candidate to enter the Hall of Fame, Carlos Beltrán.

But it should be noted that the bulk of the team will be composed of the 'new face' of baseball in the Major Leagues, which are the young players who have ascended to the 'Great Show' in recent years, and who, in a blink of the eyes, have quickly become stars of this sport.

These players include the trio that is made up of the American League Rookie of the Year in 2015, Carlos Correa, Houston Astros shortstop; The Gold Glove winner of the same circuit in 2016, also shortstop, Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians; And MVP of the National League Championship Series, Javier Báez, the versatile player of the Chicago Cubs and World Series champions last November.

Although there were no major surprises in the making of the team, there were two main ones when comparing the final roster, with the reports circulated by nearby sources of El Nuevo Dia with knowledge of the process.

Among them is the inclusion of veteran player Mike Aviles. Avilés was Puerto Rico's leading scorer in the Classic of 2013, and Puerto Rico's most consistent hitter throughout the tournament. Over the years, however, his participation in Major League Baseball has been lower each year, and in 2016 he played just 68 games with Detroit, hitting just .210 with one homer and six RBIs.

Another surprise was leaving out Ivan de Jesus, Jr. another multi-faceted player who can play as shortstop and second baseman, and who has just been crowned this week batting champion in the Caribbean Series as a reinforcement for the regional champions, Criollos de Caguas.

De Jesus, of the Santurce Cangrejeros in winter baseball, and who just signed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers in December, led the offense of the entire Caribbean Series tournament in Mexico with an average .500.

Also surprising was the inclusion of veteran reliever Juan Carlos Romero, who is not a player in organized baseball in the United States although he is a member of the Cangrejeros in the Professional Baseball League Roberto Clemente, and also reinforced the Creoles in the Caribbean classic In Culiacán.

Among the 18 new faces to debut in a World Classic are Correa, Lindor and Baez, Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz, the right-hander of the Milwaukee organization Jorge Lopez, and The Detroit Tigers minor league closer Joe Jimenez, another player who should be close to his promotion to the majors this year or next year.

Of the group of 28 players, only four were in the previous editions of the Classic and will repeat in 2017: Beltran, Molina, Romero and pitcher Orlando Román, who shone with the Caguas Criollos in the final series of the winter league, and in the Caribbean Series in Mexico.

On the other hand, as part of the announcement, the names of the pitchers that each country will have on its reserve list were also revealed. These pitchers may be activated when needed after the Classic starts, but can only enter as substitutes for any of the pitchers that have already been identified as substitutes.

That is, among the 14 pitchers that the team of Puerto Rico named to their roster, there are two that are the only ones that could be replaced by one of those listed on the reserve list. Those are the two right handers Joseph Columbus, of the Cleveland Indians, and Miguel Mejia of the Chicago Cubs, both minor league pitchers.

In the list of reserves are José de León, Dereck Rodríguez, Joel Piñeiro, Mario Santiago, Andrés Santiago, José de la Torre, Rayan González and lefty Andrew Barbosa.

Here is the complete Puerto Rico roster, by positions:

RECEPTORS

Yadier Molina, St. Louis
Roberto 'Bebo' Pérez, Cleveland
René Rivera, NY Mets

INFIELDERS

Francisco Lindor, Cleveland
Carlos Correa, Houston
Javier Báez, Chicago Cubs
TJ Rivera, NY Mets
Kennys Vargas, Minnesota
Mike Avilés, free agent

OUTFIELDERS

Carlos Beltrán, Houston
Eddie Rosario, Minnesota
Ángel Pagán, free agent
Reymond Fuentes, Kansas City
Enrique 'Kike' Hernandez, LA Dodgers

PITCHERS

Hector Santiago, Minnesota
José Berrios, Minnesota
Jorge López, Milwaukee
Hiram Burgos, Milwaukee
Seth Lugo, NY Mets
Álex Claudio, Texas
Edwin Díaz, Seattle
Joe Jimenez, Detroit
Giovanni Soto, Chicago W. Sox
Emilio Pagan, Seattle
Orlando Román, free agent
JC Romero, free agent
Joseph Colon, Cleveland *
Miguel Mejía, Chicago Cubs *

* RESERVES

PITCHERS

José de León, Tampa Bay
Andrew Barbosa, Milwaukee
Dereck Rodriguez, Minnesota
Joel Piñeiro, free agent
Mario Santiago, free agent
Andrés Santiago, free agent
José de la Torre, free agent
Rayan Gonzalez, Colorado

Molina ready for fourth Classic

WBC 2017 Preview: Breaking down Puerto Rico

With a mix of veteran talent and rising stars, Puerto Rico will be looking to return to the finals of the World Baseball Classic.

Puerto Rico, a team to watch in this year's tournament, should benefit from an infusion of young players, which it hopes can take the team over the top after finishing as the runner-up in the 2013 Classic.

There's plenty of Major League talent already on the roster for manager Edwin Rodriguez, with more possibly on the way. Molina and Beltran will represent their country for a fourth Classic, joining four other players as the only ones to hold that distinction. Rosario also returns after playing for Puerto Rico in the 2013 Classic. A trio of rising Major League stars -- Baez, Correa and Lindor -- should boost the offense and defense.

How they fared in the past

Puerto Rico finished as the runner-up in the 2013 Classic, getting shut out by the Dominican Republic, 3-0, in the finals. Puerto Rico finished fifth overall in both the 2006 and '09 tournaments. Puerto Rico won its first four games in 2009, but it was then blanked by Venezuela and later lost to Team USA on a walk-off single in the ninth inning, missing out on a chance to advance to the championship round.
Javier Baez

What they should do well

Puerto Rico has the makings of a potent lineup, one that will provide Rodriguez with plenty of options and tough decisions. Beltran owns a .274 average, three home runs, six doubles, nine RBIs, 13 runs and 15 walks in 21 Classic games. Molina has a .289 average in 14 Classic games. Baez (Cubs) and Lindor (Indians) are coming off a meeting in the World Series. Correa won the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2015 and has hit at least 20 homers in each of his two Major League seasons.

Where they could struggle

Rodriguez will have some tough decisions to make with his young and dynamic infield. Baez, Correa and Lindor can all play shortstop. Baez has more experience at second base, while Correa and Lindor are entrenched as starting shortstops for their big league clubs. It will be worth monitoring how Correa and Lindor handle a potential move to third base, or a bench role.
"They're going to be all over the place," Rodriguez said. "They all have to be playing everywhere. They know that. We know that. Any one can start at shortstop."
Francisco Lindor

How far they could go

Puerto Rico will be dreaming big after coming within one victory of winning the 2013 Classic. With the veteran influence of Beltran and Molina, a master when it comes to leading pitching staffs, and the incoming young star power of Baez, Correa and Lindor, look for Puerto Rico to make a second straight appearance in the finals.

Max Scherzer

WBC '17 preview: Breaking down Team USA

Could this be the year Team USA finally brings home the World Baseball Classic title?

As shown by its defeats in the Classic's previous three installments, the rest of the world has caught up to the U.S. in terms of baseball talent. But with a roster packed with more household names than ever before, the 2017 Classic appears to represent the Americans' best chance yet to bring home the gold.

Max Scherzer was on the provisional roster, but on Monday, the Nationals announced that the right-handed ace will not be on the team because of a stress fracture in the knuckle of his right ring finger.

However, big names can be found anywhere and everywhere on this depth chart. Looking for a Cy Young Award-winning, bona-fide ace? David Price (reportedly on Team USA's preliminary roster) fits the bill. At the plate, manager Jim Leyland will have the enviable decision over where to bat Arenado, Goldschmidt, Murphy, Stanton and Posey in the heart of the order -- though it's hard to imagine there's a wrong way for him to line them up.
Paul Goldschmidt

How they fared in the past

It's hard to believe that Team USA has never played in a Classic final, especially considering the championship round was held on American soil in each of the first three tournaments. The U.S. has never finished higher than fourth, when it lost to Japan in the 2009 semifinals. The Americans fell in the second round of the inaugural 2006 tournament, and experienced the same result in the most recent '13 installment.
Buster Posey

What they should do well

The five headline sluggers mentioned above represent only some of how much this lineup can mash. Elsewhere, Leyland will have the ability to mix and match right-handed bats like Kinsler, Jones and McCutchen with left-handed hitters Crawford, Hosmer and Yelich. There just doesn't appear to be an easy out.

The squad is just as deep on defense. Kinsler, who won a American League Gold Glove Award and tied Dustin Pedroia for the most defensive runs saved of any second baseman last season, is the least acclaimed defender of an infield that would include Arenado, Crawford, Goldschmidt and Hosmer on any given night. An outfield including Jones, McCutchen and Yelich is also solid, but it would become elite if Red Sox stars Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr. -- currently on the preliminary roster -- suit up in red, white and blue. And don't forget about Lucroy and Posey behind the plate.
Andrew Miller

Where they could struggle

With all the star power, it's hard to poke holes in Team USA's roster -- especially when more stars could still be added. Right now, the Americans boast right-handed starters in Archer and Stroman, but they could use a lefty ace to help balance the rotation. Price would go a long way toward achieving that balance, if he is indeed confirmed for Team USA's first-round roster. Furthermore, if teams are able to reset their pitching staffs for subsequent rounds of the tournament -- a rumored new rule change for the '17 Classic -- it's possible the U.S. could have some All-World lefty aces in the hole like Madison Bumgarner or Clayton Kershaw waiting in the wings.

While picking up Miller was a huge boost for the bullpen, the back end of the staff -- which also currently includes Givens and Gregorson -- remains Team USA's biggest unknown. That need could be addressed by the time the final roster is announced.

How far they could go

At this point Team USA should be considered a co-favorite with the Dominican Republic -- the defending champions -- to take home the gold. There will be no shortage of other challengers; Japan has won the tournament twice, Puerto Rico will boast some of the brightest young infielders in baseball and Venezuela will be led by veteran stars like Jose Altuve, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez. Perhaps no team, however, will be able to match Team USA's wealth of talent on paper in all three phases of the game: Pitching, hitting and defense.

Shohei Ohtani

WBC 2017 Preview: Breaking down Japan

Team Japan entered the 2013 World Baseball Classic as two-time defending champions, winning the first two editions of the international tournament in 2006 and '09. But after losing to Puerto Rico in the semifinal round four years ago, Japan has unfinished business when it opens WBC '17 in Tokyo on March 7 against Cuba.

The baseball world's eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation who has a 100-mph fastball and hit 22 home runs with a 1.004 OPS in 382 plate appearances for Nippon Professional Baseball's Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2016. But while the 22-year-old superstar may be the headliner, Japan will field a very talented group alongside him.

With the recent addition of the only MLB player on the roster so far in Aoki, Japan has nine spots remaining. There's still a possibility that pitchers Masahiro Tanaka and Hisashi Iwakuma could join the team, as well as outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who played for Japan in the 2006 and '09 tournaments. Tanaka was a member of the '09 and '13 teams, and Iwakuma pitched for Japan in the '09 Classic.

Given their track record in the Majors and success in past tournaments, adding Tanaka (2.89 ERA, 17 strikeouts and no walks in 9 1/3 Classic innings), Iwakuma (1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP in 20 Classic innings) or both would be a big boost for Japan's pitching staff.
Norichika Aoki,

How they fared in the past

Japan defeated Cuba in the inaugural Classic final in 2006, and beat South Korea to win a second straight Classic title three years later. In '13, Japan was ousted by Puerto Rico in the semifinal round, 3-1.

What they should do well

Japan has thrived in past tournaments with excellent pitching, but it's the slugging that could take center stage for the club this time around. Beyond Ohtani, the team boasts six other hitters that belted 23 or more homers in NPB last season -- Tsutsugo (44), Yamada (38), Suzuki (29), Matsuda (27), Nakata (25) and Sakamoto (23).

Japan should shine defensively, too -- manager Hiroki Kokubo said he thinks his team's defense will be its greatest strength in the tournament.

Where they could struggle

Japan has had strong pitching in past tournaments, and has a solid staff headed by Ohtani and Sugano this year. But pending additions to the roster, only one of their hurlers has pitched in the Classic before (Makita), and Japan's pitchers were shelled for 29 runs over four exhibition games against Mexico and the Netherlands in November.
Tomoyuki Sugano

How far they could go

With Japan's pedigree, as well as the talent in its starting rotation and powerful lineup, a third Classic championship in four tournaments is definitely possible. There's also added motivation for Japan after coming up short in 2013.

Xander Bogaerts

WBC 2017 Preview: Breaking down the Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands has improved in all three of its appearances in the World Baseball Classic, and the team will be looking to go further in the championship round this time.

As the all-time leader in European Championship titles, the Dutch National Team has seen that success translate to the Classic in the past, advancing out of pool play in each of the past two tournaments. With another talented roster led by several big names from Major League Baseball, the Dutch have to feel good about their chances in 2017.

The infield is filled with top-tier big leaguers in Bogaerts, Simmons and Schoop, and the potential addition of Didi Gregorius would further strengthen an already solid group. Manager Hensley Meulens, the hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants, has to like the offensive potential from this group as well. Former big leaguer van den Hurk is the only confirmed pitcher on the roster, though Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen could participate.
Didi Gregorius

How they fared in the past

The Netherlands has increased its win total each year in the Classic, topped by four wins and a fourth-place finish in WBC 2013. The Dutch twice upset the Dominican Republic to reach Round 2 in '09 and had one win in '06, when Shairon Martis no-hit Panama. The Netherlands embraced its underdog status again in WBC '13, stunning Cuba twice in Round 2 to reach the championship round.

What they should do well

The infield is a clear strength, led by Bogaerts, Schoop and Simmons. At the plate, Bogaerts is a two-time Silver Slugger with the Red Sox and Schoop belted a career-high 25 home runs for the Orioles in 2016. Defensively, Simmons leads the way as a two-time Gold Glove Award winner who is considered one of the best defensive shortstops in the Majors. Bogaerts and Schoop are also talented with the glove, which will help the pitching staff.
Andrelton Simmons,

Where they could struggle
Pitching is a big question mark with Jansen not yet committed. The closer told reporters in April he was planning to pitch in WBC '17, but that was before he signed a five-year, $80 million deal this offseason with the Dodgers, who may look to protect their investment. A former Major League starter-turned-reliever, van den Hurk returns after pitching for the Dutch in WBC 2009.

How far they could go

With steady improvement in each of the three previous Classics, the Netherlands is tracking toward an appearance in the championship round. The loaded infield makes the Dutch a threat to any opponent, and they have already proven to be capable of pulling off huge upsets in this tournament.
Jonathan Schoop

Miguel Cabrera

WBC 2017 Preview: Breaking down Venezuela

Team Venezuela hopes this can be the year it finally lives up to the lofty expectations of its star-studded roster as it prepares for the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

The team has rallied around manager Omar Vizquel, convincing general manager Ozzie Guillen to stick with Venezuela's beloved skipper. Behind a core of established Major Leaguers, Team Venezuela will look to reach the finals of the Classic for the first time in the tournament's history.

Team Venezuela is stacked with big-name talent, and Guillen hopes to recruit more big leaguers. Indians starter Carlos Carrasco, Tigers pitchers Francisco Rodriguez and Bruce Rondon, Astros utilityman Marwin Gonzalez and Brewers infielder Hernan Perez are all said to be interested.

Regardless, Venezuela already has the last six American League batting champions in Altuve and Miguel Cabrera, a former National League batting champ in Gonzalez, a former AL Cy Young winner in Hernandez and a reigning four-time Gold Glove catcher in Perez.
Carlos Carrasco

How they fared in the past

Team Venezuela finished in third place in WBC 2009, the nation's best showing to date. That year, Venezuela lost only two games, against Team USA in pool play and against South Korea in the semifinals of the championship round. In the inaugural Classic n 2006, Venezuela advanced to Round 2 after blanking Italy and Australia in pool play but still finished in seventh place. Venezuela was eliminated in pool play in the most recent WBC.

What they should do well

Team Venezuela is blessed with three of the best hitters in baseball, so the offense should be a strength, led by Altuve, Gonzalez and Miguel Cabrera, who is making his fourth Classic appearance. The Tigers slugger has an established track record, as his five home runs are tied for the second most all-time in the tournament. The trio has seven AL and NL batting titles between them.

Where they could struggle

Team Venezuela needs to improve its preparation, according to Vizquel. Despite fielding three teams loaded with big league talent, Team Venezuela has advanced past Round 2 only once. Vizquel will need to make sure his team is focused and ready to play.
Jose Altuve

"The preparation of players and the scouting reports and all that have to improve," Vizquel said. "The preparation we think is one of the biggest concerns from everybody. ... We're trying to spread the word that you have to prepare better for this tournament, because we've seen the advantage of other teams, that they're ready to play 100 percent and some of our guys are only going 60 percent. So they know about the challenge."

How far they could go

Team Venezuela certainly has the talent to make a deep run in WBC '17. But talent has never been an issue in the past. Vizquel will need to push the right buttons to get his team over the hump. Still, Team Venezuela has a very real shot of making the championship round.
Victor Martinez

<

Giovanny Urshela

WBC 2017 Preview: Breaking down Colombia

The rich history of Colombian baseball will begin a new and historic chapter this March when the nation makes its first appearance in the World Baseball Classic, securing a berth after dramatically winning the Qualifier 3 round last March.

With weeks left until final 28-man rosters must be submitted on Feb. 6, Colombia's current look remains vague. Only 12 active MLB players were born in Colombia, according to Baseball-Almanac.com, meaning most of the roster will be assembled with players who lack big league experience.

Brothers Jhonatan Solano and Donovan Solano -- who are in the Marlins' and Yankees' farm systems, respectively, and have played at the MLB level -- could be additional options, having competed for Colombia in the 2013 WBC qualifier.

And if he returns after playing for Colombia last March, Twins prospect Reynaldo Rodriguez could be another viable bat. Rodriguez posted a 1.300 OPS over the three qualifier games, and Mexican League slugger Jesus Valdez, who also played in the qualifier, posted a .455 batting average in that stretch. However, neither has committed to this point.
Jose Quintana

How they fared in the past

Colombia has not only never played in the World Baseball Classic, it didn't enter until the 2013 tournament, when it was eliminated in the semifinals of the qualifying round.

In last spring's qualifier, the Colombians convincingly defeated Spain in the preliminaries, then Panama twice after Panama rebounded in the losers' bracket to play in the final. In that dramatic win, Reds prospect Dilson Herrera lasered a go-ahead solo home run in the eighth inning that just barely cleared the left-field foul pole, pushing Colombia to a 2-1 edge.

"When I saw my team and that situation, I have no word to describe [it]," Herrera said after the game. "I'm so happy and so excited for this opportunity."

While this will be Colombia's first World Baseball Classic, it does own two gold medals (1947, '65) in the since-disbanded Baseball World Cup.

What they should do well

Although Colombia has just two players on its current roster, it's an All-Star pair. Quintana and Teheran are among the craftier strikeout pitchers in the Majors, both ranking in the top 50 in strikeouts per nine innings among starters in 2016.

The two will anchor a rotation that remains in question, but should at least give Colombia a chance in its first two games in a daunting slate of Pool C, which also houses Canada, the favored United States and defending champion the Dominican Republic.
Julio Teheran

What they should do well

Although Colombia has just two players on its current roster, it's an All-Star pair. Quintana and Teheran are among the craftier strikeout pitchers in the Majors, both ranking in the top 50 in strikeouts per nine innings among starters in 2016.

The two will anchor a rotation that remains in question, but should at least give Colombia a chance in its first two games in a daunting slate of Pool C, which also houses Canada, the favored United States and defending champion the Dominican Republic.

Where they could struggle

With what figures to be largely a very green group of players who've never reached the Majors, Colombia could struggle to keep pace against the likes of Chris Archer and other big league aces in Pool C.

If he rejoins the national team, Herrera would likely be among the only Colombian players to log at least 100 MLB at-bats, and in his two seasons with the Mets, he hit just .215 with a strikeout rate of 23.7 percent.

The Colombians will need all the bats they can get.

How far they could go

With the juggernauts that also reside in Pool C, Colombia could struggle to simply get out of the gate. Given its gaping needs on offense and a pitching rotation that is really just two-deep at a competitive level, manager Luis Urueta's club, ranked 19th in the World Baseball Softball Confederation rankings, faces a huge uphill climb.

WBC '17 preview: Breaking down Team Israel

The final country to make it into the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Israel will be looking to take full advantage of its first appearance in the tournament's main draw.

After winning its qualifier in September, Israel will travel to Seoul to face Pool A host Korea, Chinese Taipei and the Netherlands in the Gocheok Sky Dome.

Much of Israel's roster, under manager Jerry Weinstein, will be composed of Jewish-American players with Major League or Minor League experience, with the Classic's "heritage rule" allowing countries to field players who qualify for citizenship. In the qualifying round, Team Israel included two Israeli citizens, Kremer and fellow pitcher Shlomo Lipetz.

Notable Major Leaguers have previously expressed interest in potentially playing for Israel if the opportunity arose, like Kevin Pillar a few months ago and Ian Kinsler when Israel played in the qualifier for the 2013 Classic. Pillar and Kinsler are eligible for the '17 Classic, as are players like Ryan Braun, Joc Pederson (who played in the qualifier for '13) and Alex Bregman. Those players weren't available for the qualifiers due to MLB obligations, but they would be able to sign on for the actual tournament.
Cody Decker

How they've fared in the past

This is the first time Team Israel has made the Classic. Israel came within a win of securing a spot in the field of 16 in 2013, but suffered a tough 10-inning loss to Spain in the final game of its qualifier. This year, it punched its ticket, beating out Great Britain, Brazil and Pakistan to earn the Classic's final slot.

What they should do well

With MLB-affiliated or formerly-affiliated players likely composing its lineup, Israel should be able to string together some hits against most of the pitching it comes up against. Davis brings some pop from the left side, Kelly hit .249 with a .352 on-base percentage with the Mets in 2016, Fuld and Lavarnway have Major League experience, and Decker has averaged over 20 homers a year in the Minors. Israel could also be solid defensively, with players like Fuld, Kelly and Davis all having been capable fielders at the Major League level.
Ike Davis

Where they could struggle

Israel's pitching looks more up in the air. In the qualifier, 38-year-old former Major Leaguer Marquis was the team's main starter. Israel will need to fill out its staff to go toe-to-toe with some other teams in the Classic that will be loaded with players from the world's top baseball leagues -- Korea, for example, and countries like the U.S., Dominican Republic, Japan and Venezuela.

How far they could go

The Israelis will have their work cut out for them to get out of their pool. Korea has twice made the championship round of the Classic, and the Netherlands will likely have several Major Leaguers in its starting lineup and are coming off a semifinal berth in the 2013 Classic. But depending on how its roster shakes out, Israel should prove to be a competitive squad.