Team USA’s roster for the World Baseball Classic has been announced. Here is the full squad:
Pitchers
| Jeremy Affeldt | |
| Heath Bell | |
| Mitchell Boggs | |
| Steve Cishek | |
| Tim Collins | |
| R.A. Dickey | |
| Luke Gregerson | |
| Derek Holland | |
| Craig Kimbrel | |
| Kris Medlen | |
| Chris Perez | |
| Glen Perkins | |
| Vinnie Pestano | |
| Ryan Vogelsong | |
| Catchers | |
| J.P. Arencibia | |
| Jonathan Lucroy | |
| Joe Mauer | |
| Infielders | |
| Willie Bloomquist | |
| Brandon Phillips | |
| Jimmy Rollins | |
| Mark Teixeira | |
| David Wright | |
| Ben Zobrist | |
| Outfielders | |
| Ryan Braun | |
| Adam Jones | |
| Giancarlo Stanton | |
| Shane Victorino | |
While the team isn’t bad by any stretch, there are certainly some notable omissions. It’s a shame that some of the best players out there decline the offer to represent their country.
Obviously we are disappointed that Andrew McCutchen won’t be participating. It’d be pretty cool to see a Bucco wearing the red, white, and blue. The outfield is still pretty stacked, however, with Ryan Braun and Giancarlo Stanton.
Other key position players left out are NL MVP Buster Posey, AL Rookie of the Year Mike Trout, Chase Headley, Bryce Harper, Josh Hamilton, and Prince Fielder.
The pitching staff is relatively weak, especially considering those that decided not to participate. Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, Matt Cain, and David Price are arguably the four most elite starting pitchers in the game, and they definitely would’ve led the staff.
It’s a bummer that some of the greatest players in the league are skipping the WBC. ESPN’s Jayson Stark summed it up pretty well in his article about the injury myth:
They’re afraid of a myth. And they’re missing out on a chance to be part of something great. Unfortunately, it’s not just their loss. It’s all of our loss, because we’re missing out on the chance to see the best possible baseball theater.
In Round One, USA will face Mexico on March 8th, Italy on March 9th, and Canada on March 10th. Additional information can be found HERE.
Go Team USA
