Well, NFL is over, we have a few months until the NBA/NHL playoffs start, but luckily we have the World Baseball Classic this year, beginning in under a month. Today I will be breaking down the USA roster.
Catchers (3): J.T. Realmuto (Phillies), Will Smith (Dodgers), Kyle Higashioka (Yankees);
First base (2): Pete Alonso (Mets), Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals);
Second base (1): Jeff McNeil (Mets)
Third base (1): Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)
Shortstop (3): Tim Anderson (White Sox), Trea Turner (Phillies), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals);
Outfielders (5): Mike Trout (Angels), Mookie Betts (Dodgers), Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Kyle Tucker (Astros), Cedric Mullins (Orioles).
Right-handers (13): Adam Wainwright (Cardinals), Lance Lynn (White Sox), Jason Adam (Rays), Daniel Bard (Rockies), David Bednar (Pirates), Kendall Graveman (White Sox), Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks), Nick Martinez (Padres), Miles Mikolas (Cardinals), Adam Ottavino (Mets), Ryan Pressly (Astros), Brady Singer (Royals), Devin Williams (Brewers);
Left-handers (3): Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), Nestor Cortes (Yankees), Brooks Raley (Mets).
Over the last few WBC's, the USA haven't always had their top tier talent out their on the field, especially with position players. Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw are three of the U.S. stars making their WBC debuts after deciding not to play in previous tournaments. Team USA includes several returning members from the group that won the 2017 WBC, such as Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado. If I was the manager for the USA:
The bench on this team is stacked: catcher Will Smith, infielder Bobby Witt Jr., second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil, outfielder Kyle Tucker, outfielder Cedric Mullins. If manager Mark DeRosa wanted a more balanced lineup (in my order, Schwarber is the only lefty), he could start Schwarber at DH, McNeil at second and Tucker in left, and move Turner over to shortstop. That lineup would look something like this:
1. Trea Turner, 2B 1. Trea Turner, SS
2. Mike Trout, CF 2. Mike Trout, CF
3. Mookie Betts, RF 3. Mookie Betts, RF
4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B 4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
5. Nolan Arenado, 3B 5. Nolan Arenado, 3B
6. Pete Alonso, DH 6. J.T. Realmuto, C
7. Kyle Schwarber LF 7. Kyle Schwarber DH
8. J.T. Realmuto, C 8. Kyle Tucker, LF
9. Tim Anderson, SS 9. Jeff McNeil, 2B
While there are still some notable absences (Aaron Judge, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer) from this year’s WBC, these teams collectively have more star power than ever before. Let’s run through the rosters for some of the most exciting teams heading into the tournament.
Well it turns out Nestor Cortes (NYY) will not longer be pitching in the #WBC according to @MLBNetwork.
