10 players to watch in World Baseball Classic
The World Baseball Classic returns for the first time since 2017, when the United States won decisively. The 20-team tournament, scheduled March 7-21, includes well-established major leaguers as well as players not familiar to fans in the United States. The tournament host cities are Tokyo, Phoenix, Miami and Taichung, Taiwan.
Here are 10 players to watch in the upcoming event.
Wander Franco | Rays shortstop (Dominican Republic)
MLB's former No. 1 prospect made headlines when he joined the show in 2021, slashing .288/.347/.463 with seven home runs and 39 RBI in 70 games. His strong play led to him signing an 11-year, $182 million contract with the Rays, but because of injuries, he only played in 83 games last season. "I always wanted to go to the Classic, regardless of the injuries I had,” Franco said, per MLB.com.
Bobby Witt Jr. | Royals 3B (USA)
The former top MLB prospect was one of the Royals' few bright spots in 2022. He had a respectable rookie season, slashing .254/.294/.428 with 20 home runs and 80 RBI. On a U.S. team that is stacked with talent -- including Mike Trout and Mookie Betts -- he could fly under the radar. Witt's dad played for the U.S. silver medalists at the 1984 Olympics when baseball was a demonstration sport.
Munetaka Murakami | Tokyo Yakult Swallows 3B (Japan)
The 23-year-old third baseman is a star in Japan, a power hitter who slugged 56 home runs in 141 games last season. Murakami is an exceptional fielder and great contact hitter. While he may still be a few years away from the MLB, he's sure to impress scouts and fans at the tournament. Check out his epic blast off Yu Darvish during WBC prep.
Shohei Ohtani | Angels pitcher and DH (Japan)
Ohtani is one of the best athletes in the sport, a two-way phenom who won AL MVP in 2021 and finished second last season to Yankees star Aaron Judge. There has never been a two-way player like Ohtani in this tournament, and it will be interesting to see how Japan uses him. He was on the roster in 2017 but didn't play due to an ankle injury.
Carlos Rodriguez, Pitcher in Brewers system (Nicaragua)
Rodriguez, a 21-year-old right hander, had a 1.98 ERA last season for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, a high Class A team in Milwaukee's system. A fastball pitcher, he had 45 strikeouts in seven starts for Wisconsin in 2022, but he is raw. In 2023, he could be a weapon out of the bullpen for the big-league club.
Cristian Javier | Astros pitcher (Dominican Republic)
In 2022, Javier went 11-9 with 194 strikeouts, 52 walks and a 2.54 ERA. His numbers in the postseason were even better -- a 0.71 ERA with 16 strikeouts in three appearances. In Game 4 of the 2022 World Series against the Phillies, he pitched the first six innings in Houston's no-hit win. Javier recently signed a five-year, $64 million contract extension.
Jeff McNeil | Mets second baseman (USA)
McNeil, a contact hitter with some pop, led the majors with a .326 batting average in 2022, securing his first Silver Slugger. He also has great speed and is an outstanding fielder. McNeil is versatile, with the ability to play left field. In late January, he signed a four-year, $50 million extension.
José Berríos | Blue Jays pitcher (Puerto Rico)
Injuries and poor play led to an underwhelming first full season for Berrios with the Blue Jays (12-7, 5.23 ERA). However, he's not far removed from his better days with Minnesota, when he was known for his four-pitch repertoire, including a deceiving curve ball. Ahead of the tournament, he bleached his hair blond like many of his Puerto Rico teammates.
Jeremy Peña | Astros shortstop (Dominican Republic)
As a rookie in 2022, Peña had 22 home runs and 63 RBI and was named World Series MVP, only the third rookie to earn the honor. He also became the first rookie to win a Gold Glove at shortstop. Over the winter, he bulked up. Check out his arm.
Miguel Cabrera | Tigers 1B and DH (Venezuela)
This will be the final MLB season for "Miggy," who will become the only player to play in all five World Baseball Classics. He represented Venezuela in the first tournament in 2006. In 2022, he became the 33rd player to reach the 3,000-hit plateau. Per the Los Angeles Times, the Tigers waived his insurance requirement so he could play in the tournament.
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