2017 World Baseball Classic Preview — Pool D
It’s time for the fourth ever World Baseball Classic. Baseball’s world tournament kicks off this week as sixteen teams compete to become the 2017 WBC Champions. Four years ago, the team from the Dominican Republic ran through the tournament going undefeated in eight games as they took the crown. Baseball fans enjoyed a changing of the guard four years ago, as Japan had won the first two tournaments, in 2006 and 2009. This year has the makings to be the best tournament yet. Let’s take a look at what’s in store.
Pool D
March 9–13, 2017 — Estadio de Beisbol Charros — Jalisco, Mexico
Mexico
The Mexicans will have home field advantage when they look to avenge a first round knockout from four years ago. After a quick look at the roster, this team will be able to pitch. But will they be able to hit? The answer to this question will decide whether the Mexicans will advance or not. On the mound, they will be led by Yovanni Gallardo, Julio Urias and Marco Estrada. Coming in out of the bullpen will be Roberto Osuna, Sergio Romo, Joakim Soria, and Oliver “Ollie P” Perez. The offense will be led by Manager Edgar Gonzalez’s older brother Adrian Gonzalez. Yes, a player’s little brother is the manager of the team.
You can’t really call it playing favorites when his older brother is the best hitter on the team. A-Gon will have some help with Brandon Laird and minor leaguers Alex Verdugo and Sebastian Valle. Not having Khris Davis on the roster definitely takes some thump out of an already thin lineup. But with good pitching, anything can happen. Even with the home-field advantage, I look for the Mexicans to make a run at advancing out of the pool, but ultimately falling a couple runs short.
Italy
The Italians shocked the baseball world in 2013 as they advanced out of the first round for the first time ever. They would go on to lose to the eventual Champions and runners-up in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, respectively. It will be a tough road this year for Italy, as they are without their best player in Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo says he is concentrating on the upcoming 2017MLB season, but I just think he’s still nursing the World Series hangover. Even without him, the Italian lineup will be paced by one of my favorites, Francisco Cervelli, as well as Brandon Nimmo, Daniel Descalso, Gavin Cecchini and Chris Colabello. The only pitchers you’ve probably heard of are starter Tommy Layne and reliever Pat Venditte.
Pat Venditte’s claim to fame is that he is a switch pitcher. Yes, he can pitch both right-handed and left-handed. He uses a special six-finger baseball glove so that he is able to switch easily. With the lack of pitching, the road to the second round will be very tough. Might as well send the Italians a basket of oranges, because after the first round they’ll be sleeping with the fishes.
Venezuela
Managed by 11-time Gold Glove winner Omar Vizquel, the Venezuelans will be relying more on their offense this year than their defense. With a lineup led by Miguel Cabrera, Jose Altuve, Carlos Gonzalez, Victor Martinez and Salvador Perez, the Venezuelans will be looking to score a ton of runs this tournament. In order to prevent the other teams from scoring, they will look to “King” Felix Hernandez to be the ace of the staff that also consists of Martin Perez and Jhoulys Chacin. Out of the bullpen will be Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez, Bruce Rondon and Hector Rondon. And no, the Rondon’s are not brothers. Defensively, the Venezuelans will be well off with Alcides Escobar at shortstop and both Odubel Herrera and Ender Inciarte in the outfield.
It will be very interesting to see how the Venezuelan ballplayers approach this tournament after a very disappointing 2013 showing. I’ve heard how anxious they are to redeem themselves, but only time will tell. Look for Venezuela to win some high scoring games as they advance into the second round.
Puerto Rico
After reaching the WBC Final in ’13, Puerto Rico got a taste of what the big game atmosphere is. Fortunately for them, it wasn’t enough to satiate their appetite. Led by veterans Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina, the Puerto Ricans know what it takes to get back to the Final. This year with an influx of young talent that includes Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor, and Javier Baez, they will look to get right back to the top. With the mix of young and old at the plate, the Puerto Ricans feel that their balanced lineup can lead them back to the promised land.
On the bump, they’ll start Jose Berrios, Hector Santiago, Jose DeLeon and Seth Lugo. In the bullpen, they’ll be anchored by Edwin Diaz, Joe Jimenez and JC Romero. Even with the lack of a true bonafide ace, the pitching staff will compete and give their offense a chance to win ballgames. The Puerto Ricans will continue their quality play from last tournament as they will advance again to the second round and look to improve upon their runner-up finish with a win in the Final this year.
Predicted Pool Winner — Puerto Ric0
Predicted Pool Runner-up — Venezuela
