While many baseball fans are excited for the start of 2023 MLB Spring Training, which starts on February 24, there’s something much bigger brewing in the baseball community – the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The popular international baseball tournament will start on March 8th and come to an end on March 21st.
This year will be the fifth edition of the World Baseball Classic, which first began in 2006 and continued in 2009, 2013, 2017, and now 2023. It was supposed to be held in 2021, but the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans and we’ve now had to wait six years for this moment. Well, that moment has finally come!
The 2023 World Baseball Classic is being hosted by four cities across the world – Pool A in Taichung (Taiwan), Pool B in Tokyo (Japan), Pool C in Phoenix (Arizona), and Pool D in Miami (Florida). Tokyo will host the quarterfinals for Pool A and B, while Miami hosts the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship.
Players We Can’t Wait to See at the World Baseball Classic
via Instagram (@mookiebetts)
The 20 countries competing in the 2023 World Baseball Classic include Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Great Britain, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, United States, and Venezuela.
Much like every other World Baseball Classic, MLB fans will get to see some of their favorite players take part in the tournament – most of whom won’t be suiting up for the United States, meaning you might have to root against them. Of course, that’s what makes the World Baseball Classic so special and exciting.
The rosters for the tournament were revealed on February 9th as fans got their first look at who will take part and, oh boy, are we in for a good one. Now that we know the players, many have the Dominican Republic as an early favorite, but they’re being closely followed by the United States and Japan.
With that said, let’s take a look at some of the biggest MLB superstars that will suit up for the World Baseball Classic – starting March 8th!
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a 23-year-old first baseman who will be making his World Baseball Classic debut in 2023 for the Dominican Republic. He made his MLB debut on April 26, 2019 and is currently preparing for his fifth season in the major leagues – all of which with the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s a stud.
In just 504 career games played, Guerrero Jr. has a .284 batting average, 547 hits, 103 doubles, 5 triples, 104 home runs, 310 RBIs, 13 stolen bases, and 299 runs scored. He led the league in runs (123) and home runs (48) in 2021. He’s a 2-time All-Star, one-time Silver Slugger, and one-time Gold Glove winner.
19. Paul Goldschmidt – USA
Paul Goldschmidt becomes the first Cardinal to win NL MVP since Albert Pujols 🏆
PaulGoldschmidt is a 35-year-old first baseman who will be playing in his second consecutive World Baseball Classic for the United States. He only had one hit in 13 at-bats, but won a gold medal in 2017. He’s also preparing for his 13th season in the major leagues and fifth season with the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 1,620 career games played, Goldschmidt has a .295 batting average, 1,750 hits, 382 doubles, 22 triples, 315 home runs, 1,042 RBIs, 147 stolen bases, and 1,045 runs scored. He was named the NL MVP last season and is also a 7-time All-Star, 5-time Silver Slugger, and a 4-time Gold Glove winner.
JulioRodríguez is a 22-year-old centerfielder who will be making his World Baseball Classic debut for the Dominican Republic in 2023. He made his MLB debut on April 8, 2022 and is currently preparing for his second season in the major leagues, both with the Seattle Mariners, after an impressive rookie year.
In 132 games played last year, Rodríguez had a .284 batting average, 145 hits, 25 doubles, 3 triples, 28 home runs, 75 RBIs, 25 stolen bases, and 84 runs scored. Not only was he named an All-Star in 2022, but he competed in the Home Run Derby, was a Silver Slugger, and was named Rookie of the Year.
JuanSoto is a 24-year-old outfielder who will be making his World Baseball Classic debut for the Dominican Republic in 2023. He made his MLB debut on May 20, 2018 and is now preparing for his sixth season in the major leagues and first full season with the San Diego Padres after being traded last year.
In 617 career games played, Soto has a .287 batting average, 612 hits, 116 doubles, 10 triples, 125 home runs, 374 RBIs, 38 stolen bases, and 430 runs scored. He’s a 2-time All-Star, 3-time Silver Slugger, Home Run Derby champion, 2019 World Series champion, and even won the NL batting title in 2020 (.351 BA).
MannyMachado is a 30-year-old third baseman who will be playing in his second consecutive World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic – despite being born in Florida. At the 2017 WBC, he played in six games and batted .269 with 1 home run, 2 RBIs, and 4 runs, but failed to win a medal.
In 1,445 career games played in the MLB, Machado has a .282 batting average, 1,597 hits, 312 doubles, 18 triples, 283 home runs, 853 RBIs, 85 stolen bases, and 839 runs scored. He was the NL runner-up MVP in 2022 and was also a 6-time All-Star, 2-time Gold Glove winner, and one-time Silver Slugger.
XanderBogaerts is a 30-year-old shortstop who will be playing in his third consecutive World Baseball Classic with the Netherlands – he helped lead them to a fourth place finish in 2013 and 2017. He also represented the Netherlands in the 2011 Baseball World Cup, where he led the team to a gold medal.
In 1,264 career games played in the MLB, he has a .292 batting average, 1,410 hits, 308 doubles, 15 triples, 156 home runs, 683 RBIs, 74 stolen bases, and 752 runs scored. He’s a 4-time All-Star, 5-time Silver Slugger, and 2-time World Series champion – both with the Boston Red Sox (2013 and 2018).
FranciscoLindor is a 29-year-old shortstop who will be playing in his second consecutive World Baseball Classic with Puerto Rico – he helped lead them to a silver medal in 2017. He was the MVP of Pool D and was named to the 2017 All-WBC Team with a .370 average, 2 home runs, 4 RBIs, and 7 runs.
In 1,063 career games played in the MLB, Lindor has a .277 batting average, 1,170 hits, 232 doubles, 23 triples, 184 home runs, 581 RBIs, 125 stolen bases, and 679 runs scored. He’s a 4-time All-Star, 2-time Silver Slugger, 2-time Gold Glove winner, and won a Platinum Glove with the New York Mets in 2016.
PeteAlonso is a 28-year–old first baseman who will be making his World Baseball Classic debut with the United States in 2023. He made his major league debut on March 28, 2019 and is currently preparing for his fifth season in the major leagues after spending the past four seasons with the New York Mets.
In 530 career games played in the MLB, Alonso has a .261 batting average, 512 hits, 90 doubles, 5 triples, 146 home runs, 380 RBIs, 10 stolen bases, and 301 runs. He’s a former Rookie of the Year, a 2-time All-Star, and 2-time Home Run Derby champ. He led the MLB with 53 home runs as a rookie.
SandyAlcantara is a 27-year-old starting pitcher who will be making his World Baseball Classic debut with the Dominican Republic in 2023. He made his major league debut on September 3, 2017 and is now preparing for his seventh season in the MLB and sixth season as a member of the Miami Marlins.
In 118 career games played and 110 starts in the MLB, Alcantara has a 34-43 record, 3.10 ERA, 9 complete games, 3 shutouts, and 638 strikeouts in 716.0 innings pitched. He’s a 2-time All-Star and the reigning NL Cy Young winner after leading the league in complete games, shutouts, and innings pitched.
JulioUrías is a 26-year-old starting pitcher who will be making his World Baseball Classic debut with Mexico in 2023. He made his major league debut on May 27, 2016 and is currently preparing to play in his eighth season in the MLB – all with the Los Angeles Dodgers – and second year as a full-time starter.
In 137 career games played and 101 starts in the MLB, Urías has a 49-17 record, 2.82 ERA, and 593 strikeouts in 599.2 innings pitched – he has a 37-10 record in the past two years. He won the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers, led the MLB in wins (20) in 2021, and won his first ERA title (2.16) in 2022.
Yu Darvish is a 36-year-old starting pitcher who will be playing in his second World Baseball Classic for Japan in 2023 – he didn’t pitch in the 2013 or 2017 WBC, but was the team’s ace in 2009 when they won a gold medal. He finished the tournament with a 2-1 record, 2.08 ERA, and 20 strikeouts in 13 innings.
In 242 career games played (all starts) in the MLB since 2012, Darvish has a 95-75 record, 3.50 ERA, 2 complete games, 1 shutout, and 1,788 strikeouts in 1,488.0 innings pitched. He’s a 5-time All-Star and has been the Cy Young runner-up twice in his career. He has five seasons with at least 10 wins.
FreddieFreeman is a 33-year-old first baseman who will be playing in his second consecutive World Baseball Classic for Canada in 2023. He was the team’s first baseman at the 2017 WBC, where he played in 3 games and had a .182 batting average, 2 hits (11 at-bats) and 1 RBI – Canada went 0-3.
In 1,724 career games played in the MLB, Freeman has a .298 batting average, 1,903 hits, 414 doubles, 27 triples, 292 home runs, 1,041 RBIs, 66 stolen bases, and 1,086 runs scored. He’s a former MVP, 6-time All-Star, 3-time Silver Slugger, Gold Glove winner, and won the 2021 World Series with Atlanta.
MookieBetts is a 30-year-old right fielder who will be making his debut at the World Baseball Classic for the United States in 2023. He made his major league debut on June 29, 2014 and spent the first six years of his career with the Boston Red Sox, but is now preparing to play his fourth season with the Dodgers.
In 1,113 career games played in the MLB, Betts has a .293 batting average, 1,306 hits, 307 doubles, 33 triples, 213 home runs, 649 RBIs, 158 stolen bases, and 870 runs scored. He’s a former MVP, a two-time MVP runner-up, 6-time All-Star, 5-time Silver Slugger, 6-time Gold Glove winner, and 2-time champion.
MikeTrout is a 31-year-old centerfielder who will be making his debut at the World Baseball Classic for the United States in 2023. He made his major league debut on July 8, 2011 and has spent his entire 12-year career with the Los Angeles Angels. He’s hoping to help the US defend their WBC championship.
In 1,407 career games played in the MLB, Trout has a .303 batting average, 1,543 hits, 296 doubles, 51 triples, 350 home runs, 896 RBIs, 204 stolen bases, and 1,052 runs scored. He’s a former Rookie of the Year, 3-time MVP, 4-time MVP runner-up, 10-time All-Star, 9-time Silver Slugger, and 2-time All-Star MVP.
ShoheiOhtani is a 28-year-old starting pitcher and designated hitter who will be making his World Baseball Classic debut for Japan in 2023 after an injury kept him out of the 2017 WBC. He made his major league debut on March 29, 2018 after playing five years of professional baseball in Japan.
In 566 games played in the MLB, he has a .267 batting average, 530 hits, 127 home runs, 342 RBIs, 66 stolen bases, and 326 runs – he also has a 28-14 record, 2.96 ERA, and 441 strikeouts in 349.2 innings pitched (63 starts). He’s a former MVP, Rookie of the Year, 2-time All-Star, and 1-time Silver Slugger.
JoséAltuve is a 32-year-old second baseman who will be playing in his second consecutive World Baseball Classic for Venezuela. He appeared in 7 games for the team at the 2017 WBC, finishing with a .259 batting average, 7 hits (27 at-bats), 1 RBI, and 4 runs – we expect him to play better in 2023.
In 1,578 career games played in the MLB, Altuve has a .307 batting average, 1,935 hits, 379 doubles, 29 triples, 192 home runs, 696 RBIs, 279 stolen bases, and 986 runs scored. He’s a former MVP, 8-time All-Star, 6-time Silver Slugger, Gold Glove winner, 2-time World Series champ, and won 3 batting titles.
MiguelCabrera is a 39-year-old infielder and outfielder who will be playing in his fifth consecutive World Baseball Classic for Venezuela – one of two players who can say that. He’s a WBC legend, having hit a home run in each of the past four tournaments, but will he do it again in 2023? I wouldn’t be surprised.
In 2,699 career games played in the MLB, Cabrera has a .308 batting average, 3,088 hits, 607 doubles, 17 triples, 507 home runs, 1,847 RBIs, 40 stolen bases, and 1,530 runs scored. He’s a 2-time MVP, 12-time All-Star, 7-time Silver Slugger, World Series champ, Triple Crown winner, and won 4 batting titles.
JavierBáez is a 30-year-old infielder who will be playing in his second consecutive World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico. He was a member of the 2017 WBC team that won a silver medal, appearing in 7 games and finished the tournament with a .296 batting average, 8 hits, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, and 4 runs.
In 1,006 career games played in the MLB, Báez has a .260 batting average, 936 hits, 187 doubles, 23 triples, 166 home runs, 532 RBIs, 90 stolen bases, and 515 runs scored. He’s a 2-time All-Star, 1-time Silver Slugger, 1-time Gold Glove winner, 2016 World Series champion, and 2016 NLCS MVP.
RafaelDevers is a 26-year-old third baseman who will be making his World Baseball Classic debut with the Dominican Republic in 2023. He made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox on July 25, 2017 and is now preparing for his seventh season with the franchise after signing a huge deal recently.
In 689 career games played in the MLB, Devers has a .283 batting average, 762 hits, 187 doubles, 7 triples, 139 home runs, 455 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, and 439 runs scored. He’s a 2-time All-Star, one-time Silver Slugger, and won the 2018 World Series with the Red Sox. He hit a career-high 38 HRs in 2021.
Ronald Acuña Jr. is a 25-year-old outfielder who will be making his World Baseball Classic debut with Venezuela in 2023. He made his major league debut with the Atlanta Braves on April 25, 2018 and is now preparing for his sixth season with the franchise after having a down year in 2022 – he’ll bounce back.
In 514 career games played, he has a .277 batting average, 550 hits, 102 doubles, 7 triples, 120 HRs, 296 RBIs, 107 stolen bases, and 394 runs. He’s a former Rookie of the Year, 3-time All-Star, and 2-time Silver Slugger. He hit a career-high 41 HRs in 2019, while also leading the NL in runs and stolen bases.
A Brief History of the World Baseball Classic
The 2023 World Baseball Classic will be the first time fans see a field of 20 teams – the first four editions of the tournament featured 16 teams. The United States will defend their championship after defeating Puerto Rico 8-0 in the 2017 World Baseball Classic championship game. Japan finished in third place.
The 2013 World Baseball Classic finished similarly – with Puerto Rico winning the silver medal and Japan finishing in third place, but it was the Dominican Republic who came out as the winner. Meanwhile, the Netherlands have come in fourth place in 2013 and 2017 and will look to earn their first medal in 2023.
With that said, you can never count Japan out. Not only do they have two straight bronze medals, but they were named champions in 2006 and 2009 – being the only team to medal in all four tournaments thus far. With ShoheiOhtani making his World Baseball Classic debut in 2023, Japan could surprise us!
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