Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 4, 2021 17:07:01 GMT -5
Group A
1) United States
The Case For: The United States easily has far more talent than any team outside of the Dominican Republic, in which it only has somewhat more talent. Seth Beer, Mike Trout, and Francisco DeJesus is a terrifying middle of the order, and Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard, and Shane Baz is a fantastic staff.
The Case Against: The lineup isn’t terribly deep. Royce Lewis, Jeren Kendall, Dansby Swanson, and Blake Hunt are good players and great defenders, but a great staff may have success against them.
Top Three Talents:
LF: Mike Trout—Reigning NL MVP
RF: Seth Beer—Two-Time MVP
SP: Noah Syndergaard—Reigning AL Cy Young
Colorado Connections:
3B: Nolan Arenado—Arenado’s 10 WBC Home Runs are the most All-Time in international play.
CF: David Dahl—Dahl finished second in WBC MVP voting in 2020
Most Affiliated Franchise: Kansas City Royals
2) Canada
The Case For: Kelyn Klattenburger and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have enough power to produce against some of the best pitchers, and the team should be strong defensively.
The Case Against: The bottom of the Canada lineup is terrible, and the staff lacks an ace.
Top Three Talents:
RF: Vladimir Guerrero Jr—2024 ALDS, ALCS, World Series MVP
2B: Harland Guenette—.891 OPS rookie season last year
1B: Kelyn Klattenburger—55 Doubles to lead all players in his rookie season last year.
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Franchise: Toronto Blue Jays
3) Nicaragua
The Case For: There are some huge prospects on the team. If they can arrive ahead of schedule, Nicaragua will have some big time talent on a team that already went 3-2 in 2024.
The Case Against: The offense doesn’t have any major offensive talent. Dirty Tarin is the only PBA player in the lineup for the club.
Top Three Talents:
SP: Luis Esparza—Esparza struck out 227 batters and worked to a 4.04 ERA in his rookie year last year.
SP: Roniel Raudes—4.43 career PBA ERA
RF: Jorge Tarin—29 career PBA home runs
Colorado Connections:
CF: Juan Moreno—Former Pioneer, Northwest, and Eastern League All-Star
Most Affiliated Franchise: New York Mets
4) Netherlands Antillies
The Case For: Ozzie Albies is a star and the rest of the lineup is respectable. The club may be able to score some runs.
The Case Against: The rotation consists of four guys in the low minors. The best career WBC ERA on the team is Roelof de Kruijff’s 6.10 mark.
Top Three Talents:
2B: Ozzie Albies—Three-Time Gold Glove winner
3B: Kirvin Moesquit—2022 AL All-Star
LF: Renaigel Martis—.286 career WBC Batting Average in 20 career games.
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Franchise: None
5) Curacao
The Case For: Curaco has some young phenoms. Esteban Valadez had a coming out party in last year’s postseason, and Nelle Willemsen had 35 homers across 3 minor league levels last season.
The Case Against: Curaco’s second most talented hitter is…Riemer Koot, who went 1-16 last WBC? The offense isn’t there to significantly challenge for more than a win. Winning a game would result in progress for a country that went 0-5 last WBC.
Top Three Talents:
SP: Esteban Valadez—2.70 career Postseason ERA
LF: Nelle Willemsen—#33 PBA Prospect
RP: Quint Penning—144 PBA Strikeouts in 174.1 Innings
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
6) Brazil
The Case For: Many of the same players on a team that went 2-3 in 2024 return, including Tomas Espassindim, who hit .350 last WBC. Bo Takahashi went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA back in 2024.
The Case Against: The lineup is bad and the bullpen is horrendous. Brazil will be hard pressed to score many runs and any close game will be blown up when opponents hit against Brazil’s multiple teenagers.
Top Three Talents:
SP: Bo Takahashi—3.96 Career PBA ERA
RF: Ezequiel Garay—12 Doubles in 182 PBA AB
2B: Tomaz Espassandim—1.191 career WBC OPS
Colorado Connections:
2B: Reginaldo Mondril—14 Doubles in Boise (COL A-) last season
Most Affiliated Team: Washington Nationals
Group B
1) Puerto Rico
The Case For: The team has a handful of exceptional relievers, including Omar Lara, Edwin Diaz, Ismael Robles, and Alex Claudio. The team has a stellar defense as well.
The Case Against: Puerto Rico will need to use some of those closers as starting pitchers, which may work or may be disastrous. The team’s offense falls apart quickly behind Francisco Lindor.
Top Three Talents:
SS: Francisco Lindor—PBA All-Time Leader in Hits and WAR
CL: Edwin Diaz—7 Time All-Star
CL: Omar Lara—59 Career PBA Saves
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
2) South Korea
The Case For: Korea has a good staff that has had strong tournament success historically. Offensively, the Koreans will unleash Mun-Yeong Kym upon the world after his 70-homer, 181-RBI season in the KBO last year.
The Case Against: The offense has some power, but may have trouble getting on base. The starters may give Korea a lead, but the bullpen may blow it.
Top Three Talents:
1B: Mun Yeong Kym—KBO MVP
SP: Weon Kwang—KBO Most Outstanding Pitcher
SP: Woo-Seok Ko—3-0, 2.29 Career WBC ERA in 3 Starts
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
3) Panama
The Case For: Panama has a ton of speed and some good infielders. Jonathan Arauz and Javier Guerra had huge 2024 tournaments and return to lead Panama. The Central Americans are looking for their third consecutive trip to the Second Round
The Case Against: Panama doesn’t have a lot of star power. Severino Gonzalez and Roberto Baldonado, anchors of prior rotations, have retired hurting Panama’s staff.
Top Three Talents:
2B: Jonathan Arauz—Career 1.012 career WBC OPS
SP: Sergio Arellano—#94 Prospect Ranking
2B: Allen Cordoba—Fifth All-Time PBA Stolen Bases
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: St. Louis Cardinals
4) China
The Case For: China’s staff isn’t too shabby with arms like Kwon Ju and Zuo-Qian Cai on the roster. China should be able to hold down opposing hitters.
The Case Against: China has no Catcher which should be disastrous. China also has two hitters who wouldn’t be out of place in A-Ball, let alone a high-level tournament.
Top Three Talents:
CL: Zhi-Peng Thum—68 Strikeouts in 59 PBA IP Last Season
SP: Kwon Ju—2024 KBO Most Outstanding Pitcher
SP: Haicheng Gong—10-6, 2.90 Career Triple-A record
Colorado Connections:
SP: Man Ban—Great Name
Most Affiliated Team: Philadelphia Phillies
5) Italy
The Case For: Anthony Rizzo can fuel an offense, and the club has a decent starting rotation.
The Case Against: It’s a terrible offense aside from Rizzo, and a terrible bullpen for team Italy. They should be helpless if Rizzo is having an off day.
Top Three Talents:
SS: Charles Galimberti—#42 PBA Prospect
1B: Anthony Rizzo—307 career PBA Home Runs
SP: Nicolo Clemente—4.58 Career WBC ERA
Colorado Connections:
C: Elmo Gabrieli—6 Gap Power
Most Affiliated Team: None
6) South Africa
The Case For: With two players above the age of 23, South Africa doesn’t know how overmatched it is.
The Case Against: South Africa doesn’t have a single player playing in a major league across the five leagues of the PBA universe.
Top Three Talents:
CF: Edris Kwakou—Powerful 18-year-old prospect in Padres system
CF: Anwa Ita—.385 Average in 2024 WBC
SS: Taban Ohon—Career 17.2 Minor League Zone Rating
Colorado Connections:
SP: Mamoun Munim—Nickname is Roadrunner
Most Affiliated Team: None
Group C
1) Venezuela
The Case For: Venezuela has tremendous live bats and very good pitching, particularly in the bullpen. They may have the second most talented roster in the tournament.
The Case Against: The starting rotation is on the decline and may cause Venezuela to lose some slugfests.
Top Three Talents:
3B: Juan Gestoso—All Time Leader in WBC Stolen Bases with 8.
2B: Arturo Reineri—2B Platinum Stick Winner
C: Daniel Flores—C Platinum Stick Winner
Colorado Connections:
SS: Luis Picon—1.9 Career PBA WAR in 124 Games
RP: Joe Ruiz—382 Strikeouts in 298.1 Career PBA Innings
Most Affiliated Team: Washington Nationals
2) Japan
The Case For: Japan has a strong rotation and a star in Tomoya Mori. That is a recipe for success.
The Case Against: There are a number of weak spots in the lineup that have Japan a level below the main contenders.
Top Three Talents:
C: Tomoya Mori—2018 JPL MVP, 2023 AL MVP
SP: Tomoyuki Sugano—6-1, 2.37 WBC ERA
SP: Toshiyuki Kurata—Five Time JPL All-Star
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: Orix Buffaloes
3) Colombia
The Case For: Colombia has some good arms that could get hot and help the team win some upsets
The Case Against: It’s a respectable offense, but not a great one. Good arms could shut it down.
Top Three Talents:
RP: Juan Alaniz—#77 PBA Prospect
SP: Jose Quinatana—108-80, 3.98 Career Record
RF: Bryan Martelo—2021 AL All-Star
Colorado Connections:
SP: Juan Adame—0.00 Career WBC ERA in 8 IP
Most Affiliated Teams: None
4) Germany
The Case For: Germany has a competent offense and Yale Ziegler gives them a good arm at the head of the rotation.
The Case Against: The team doesn’t have pitching depth or a difference-making hitter, plus it has a terrible infield defense.
Top Three Talents:
RP: Warren Lang—Signed 3-Year, $12 Million contract with Boston Red Sox once declaring in PBA
C: Bruce Maxwell—14.1 Career PBA WAR
SP: Yale Ziegler—2.4 Career Triple-A WAR in 23 Starts
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: New York Mets
5) Aruba
The Case For: There are some good young arms in Aruba and prospects with bright futures.
The Case Against: The talent for Aruba isn’t developed yet, and it will be tough for them to score more than the 14 runs in five games they scored in 2024.
Top Three Talents:
RP: Gerald Riches—#2 PBA Prospect
RP: Odmar Galindo—Southern League All Star
SP: Etienne Toet—1.69 ERA, 7K, 5.1 IP in 2024 WBC
Colorado Connections:
RP: Kees Lenstra—Pioneer League, Canadian Rookie League, California League, and Eastern League All Star
RP: Graham Hamilton—4-1, 1SV, 3.20 ERA, 49K, 39.1 IP in Short-Season A-Ball Boise last year.
Most Affiliated Team: None
6) Chinese Taipei
The Case For: Taiwan went 3-2 last season behind Chi-Hung Hsu’s bat and Ghi-Cheng Der’s arm.
The Case Against: There’s not a lot of power for Taiwan, and the offense should struggle. They only scored 13 runs in 5 games in 2024 despite going 3-2.
Top Three Talents:
RP: Ghi-Cheng Der—1-0, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 6 IP, 1 H in 2024 WBC
3B: Yu-Cheng Chang—Eastern League MVP in 2022
SP: Wei-Chung Wang—7 IP, 0.00 ERA, 8K in 2024 WBC
Colorado Connections:
RP: Ju-Long Fou—2.25 Career Minor League ERA in 56 IP
Most Affiliated Team: Seattle Mariners
Group D
1) Dominican Republic
The Case For: Champions in both 2018 and 2024, The Dominican Republic possesses an awesome collection of talent. It has a fantastic bullpen and perhaps the best defensive unit in the tournament.
The Case Against: The team doesn’t have a lot of power, and its staff isn’t as strong as prior versions. That could hurt it against top opponents.
Top Three Talents:
C: Francisco Mejia—7-Time PBA All-Star
CF: Luis Morales—Rookie of the Year and Center Field Platinum Stick Award Winner last year
1B: Jorge Vargas—#19 PBA Prospect
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: Philadelphia Phillies
2) Cuba
The Case For: Cuba has a powerful, patient lineup, and a staff that throws strikes. That’s a combination that can win games.
The Case Against: Most of the Cuban hitters have subpar hit tools and the staff lacks an ace. That could leave it vulnerable to top competition.
Top Three Talents:
3B: Lourdes Gurriel—168 career PBA Home Runs
LF: Luis Robert—AL All Star
SP: Juan Alvarado—40-21, 3.27 Career Minor League record
Colorado Connections:
RP: Aroldis Chapman—4-Time PBA All Star
Most Affiliated Team: Santiago de Cuba Avispas
3) Mexico
The Case For: Mexico has a dominant bullpen. If those relievers can succeed as starters too, Mexico can overwhelm any team’s offense.
The Case Against: The bottom of the order is sub-par and the rotation is filled with two-pitch pitchers. Mexico may have trouble scoring runs.
Top Three-Talents:
RP: Juan Betancourt—Career 3.12 PBA ERA
RP: Giovanny Gallegos—2024 AL All Star
2B: Luis Urias—3-Time 2B Platinum Stick Award Winner
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Teams: None
4) The Netherlands
The Case For: Wessell Russchen may be the best player in baseball. His presence alone makes The Netherlands a serious competitor.
The Case Against: Russchen notwithstanding, it’s a weak lineup and there’s only one arm that’s truly dependable in the rotation.
Top Three Talents:
CF: Wessel Russchen—CF Platinum Stick Award Winner past two seasons.
2B: Xander Bogaerts—331 Career PBA Doubles, fourth most All-Time.
SP: Lothar Vorstermans—Supplemental Round Draft by the Mets in 2021. Projected Top Five Round Pick in PBA Draft in 2026.
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
5) Australia
The Case For: Australia has a potent middle of the order. If Roderick Dalton develops quickly, he can win a few games single handedly.
The Case Against: Australia doesn’t have a good supporting cast and their pitching staff can’t throw strikes. That’s not a formula conducive to winning.
Top Three-Talents:
1B: Roderick Dalton—.357 Average, 2 Home Runs in 5 WBC Games in 2024.
CL: James Hale—0.00 ERA in 3.2 WBC Innings in 2024.
C: Jake Turnbull—C Platinum Stick Winner in Japan last 3 seasons
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
6) Costa Rica
The Case For: There are several interesting pitching and outfield prospects that could make noise if they play to their potential.
The Case Against: More than two-thirds of the Costa Rican roster are ineligible to legally drink alcohol in the United States.
Top Three Talents:
SP: Juan de Ochoa—3.96 Career ERA in Minor Leagues and WBC Tournament
SP: Miguel Reyna—2.4 WAR in Cuban League
CL: Carlos Hernandez—Arizona Rookie League Reliever of the Year
Colorado Connections:
CF: Angel Campos—$4.5 million signing bonus by Colorado last year.
Most Affiliated Team: Los Angeles Angels
1) United States
The Case For: The United States easily has far more talent than any team outside of the Dominican Republic, in which it only has somewhat more talent. Seth Beer, Mike Trout, and Francisco DeJesus is a terrifying middle of the order, and Marcus Stroman, Noah Syndergaard, and Shane Baz is a fantastic staff.
The Case Against: The lineup isn’t terribly deep. Royce Lewis, Jeren Kendall, Dansby Swanson, and Blake Hunt are good players and great defenders, but a great staff may have success against them.
Top Three Talents:
LF: Mike Trout—Reigning NL MVP
RF: Seth Beer—Two-Time MVP
SP: Noah Syndergaard—Reigning AL Cy Young
Colorado Connections:
3B: Nolan Arenado—Arenado’s 10 WBC Home Runs are the most All-Time in international play.
CF: David Dahl—Dahl finished second in WBC MVP voting in 2020
Most Affiliated Franchise: Kansas City Royals
2) Canada
The Case For: Kelyn Klattenburger and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have enough power to produce against some of the best pitchers, and the team should be strong defensively.
The Case Against: The bottom of the Canada lineup is terrible, and the staff lacks an ace.
Top Three Talents:
RF: Vladimir Guerrero Jr—2024 ALDS, ALCS, World Series MVP
2B: Harland Guenette—.891 OPS rookie season last year
1B: Kelyn Klattenburger—55 Doubles to lead all players in his rookie season last year.
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Franchise: Toronto Blue Jays
3) Nicaragua
The Case For: There are some huge prospects on the team. If they can arrive ahead of schedule, Nicaragua will have some big time talent on a team that already went 3-2 in 2024.
The Case Against: The offense doesn’t have any major offensive talent. Dirty Tarin is the only PBA player in the lineup for the club.
Top Three Talents:
SP: Luis Esparza—Esparza struck out 227 batters and worked to a 4.04 ERA in his rookie year last year.
SP: Roniel Raudes—4.43 career PBA ERA
RF: Jorge Tarin—29 career PBA home runs
Colorado Connections:
CF: Juan Moreno—Former Pioneer, Northwest, and Eastern League All-Star
Most Affiliated Franchise: New York Mets
4) Netherlands Antillies
The Case For: Ozzie Albies is a star and the rest of the lineup is respectable. The club may be able to score some runs.
The Case Against: The rotation consists of four guys in the low minors. The best career WBC ERA on the team is Roelof de Kruijff’s 6.10 mark.
Top Three Talents:
2B: Ozzie Albies—Three-Time Gold Glove winner
3B: Kirvin Moesquit—2022 AL All-Star
LF: Renaigel Martis—.286 career WBC Batting Average in 20 career games.
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Franchise: None
5) Curacao
The Case For: Curaco has some young phenoms. Esteban Valadez had a coming out party in last year’s postseason, and Nelle Willemsen had 35 homers across 3 minor league levels last season.
The Case Against: Curaco’s second most talented hitter is…Riemer Koot, who went 1-16 last WBC? The offense isn’t there to significantly challenge for more than a win. Winning a game would result in progress for a country that went 0-5 last WBC.
Top Three Talents:
SP: Esteban Valadez—2.70 career Postseason ERA
LF: Nelle Willemsen—#33 PBA Prospect
RP: Quint Penning—144 PBA Strikeouts in 174.1 Innings
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
6) Brazil
The Case For: Many of the same players on a team that went 2-3 in 2024 return, including Tomas Espassindim, who hit .350 last WBC. Bo Takahashi went 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA back in 2024.
The Case Against: The lineup is bad and the bullpen is horrendous. Brazil will be hard pressed to score many runs and any close game will be blown up when opponents hit against Brazil’s multiple teenagers.
Top Three Talents:
SP: Bo Takahashi—3.96 Career PBA ERA
RF: Ezequiel Garay—12 Doubles in 182 PBA AB
2B: Tomaz Espassandim—1.191 career WBC OPS
Colorado Connections:
2B: Reginaldo Mondril—14 Doubles in Boise (COL A-) last season
Most Affiliated Team: Washington Nationals
Group B
1) Puerto Rico
The Case For: The team has a handful of exceptional relievers, including Omar Lara, Edwin Diaz, Ismael Robles, and Alex Claudio. The team has a stellar defense as well.
The Case Against: Puerto Rico will need to use some of those closers as starting pitchers, which may work or may be disastrous. The team’s offense falls apart quickly behind Francisco Lindor.
Top Three Talents:
SS: Francisco Lindor—PBA All-Time Leader in Hits and WAR
CL: Edwin Diaz—7 Time All-Star
CL: Omar Lara—59 Career PBA Saves
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
2) South Korea
The Case For: Korea has a good staff that has had strong tournament success historically. Offensively, the Koreans will unleash Mun-Yeong Kym upon the world after his 70-homer, 181-RBI season in the KBO last year.
The Case Against: The offense has some power, but may have trouble getting on base. The starters may give Korea a lead, but the bullpen may blow it.
Top Three Talents:
1B: Mun Yeong Kym—KBO MVP
SP: Weon Kwang—KBO Most Outstanding Pitcher
SP: Woo-Seok Ko—3-0, 2.29 Career WBC ERA in 3 Starts
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
3) Panama
The Case For: Panama has a ton of speed and some good infielders. Jonathan Arauz and Javier Guerra had huge 2024 tournaments and return to lead Panama. The Central Americans are looking for their third consecutive trip to the Second Round
The Case Against: Panama doesn’t have a lot of star power. Severino Gonzalez and Roberto Baldonado, anchors of prior rotations, have retired hurting Panama’s staff.
Top Three Talents:
2B: Jonathan Arauz—Career 1.012 career WBC OPS
SP: Sergio Arellano—#94 Prospect Ranking
2B: Allen Cordoba—Fifth All-Time PBA Stolen Bases
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: St. Louis Cardinals
4) China
The Case For: China’s staff isn’t too shabby with arms like Kwon Ju and Zuo-Qian Cai on the roster. China should be able to hold down opposing hitters.
The Case Against: China has no Catcher which should be disastrous. China also has two hitters who wouldn’t be out of place in A-Ball, let alone a high-level tournament.
Top Three Talents:
CL: Zhi-Peng Thum—68 Strikeouts in 59 PBA IP Last Season
SP: Kwon Ju—2024 KBO Most Outstanding Pitcher
SP: Haicheng Gong—10-6, 2.90 Career Triple-A record
Colorado Connections:
SP: Man Ban—Great Name
Most Affiliated Team: Philadelphia Phillies
5) Italy
The Case For: Anthony Rizzo can fuel an offense, and the club has a decent starting rotation.
The Case Against: It’s a terrible offense aside from Rizzo, and a terrible bullpen for team Italy. They should be helpless if Rizzo is having an off day.
Top Three Talents:
SS: Charles Galimberti—#42 PBA Prospect
1B: Anthony Rizzo—307 career PBA Home Runs
SP: Nicolo Clemente—4.58 Career WBC ERA
Colorado Connections:
C: Elmo Gabrieli—6 Gap Power
Most Affiliated Team: None
6) South Africa
The Case For: With two players above the age of 23, South Africa doesn’t know how overmatched it is.
The Case Against: South Africa doesn’t have a single player playing in a major league across the five leagues of the PBA universe.
Top Three Talents:
CF: Edris Kwakou—Powerful 18-year-old prospect in Padres system
CF: Anwa Ita—.385 Average in 2024 WBC
SS: Taban Ohon—Career 17.2 Minor League Zone Rating
Colorado Connections:
SP: Mamoun Munim—Nickname is Roadrunner
Most Affiliated Team: None
Group C
1) Venezuela
The Case For: Venezuela has tremendous live bats and very good pitching, particularly in the bullpen. They may have the second most talented roster in the tournament.
The Case Against: The starting rotation is on the decline and may cause Venezuela to lose some slugfests.
Top Three Talents:
3B: Juan Gestoso—All Time Leader in WBC Stolen Bases with 8.
2B: Arturo Reineri—2B Platinum Stick Winner
C: Daniel Flores—C Platinum Stick Winner
Colorado Connections:
SS: Luis Picon—1.9 Career PBA WAR in 124 Games
RP: Joe Ruiz—382 Strikeouts in 298.1 Career PBA Innings
Most Affiliated Team: Washington Nationals
2) Japan
The Case For: Japan has a strong rotation and a star in Tomoya Mori. That is a recipe for success.
The Case Against: There are a number of weak spots in the lineup that have Japan a level below the main contenders.
Top Three Talents:
C: Tomoya Mori—2018 JPL MVP, 2023 AL MVP
SP: Tomoyuki Sugano—6-1, 2.37 WBC ERA
SP: Toshiyuki Kurata—Five Time JPL All-Star
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: Orix Buffaloes
3) Colombia
The Case For: Colombia has some good arms that could get hot and help the team win some upsets
The Case Against: It’s a respectable offense, but not a great one. Good arms could shut it down.
Top Three Talents:
RP: Juan Alaniz—#77 PBA Prospect
SP: Jose Quinatana—108-80, 3.98 Career Record
RF: Bryan Martelo—2021 AL All-Star
Colorado Connections:
SP: Juan Adame—0.00 Career WBC ERA in 8 IP
Most Affiliated Teams: None
4) Germany
The Case For: Germany has a competent offense and Yale Ziegler gives them a good arm at the head of the rotation.
The Case Against: The team doesn’t have pitching depth or a difference-making hitter, plus it has a terrible infield defense.
Top Three Talents:
RP: Warren Lang—Signed 3-Year, $12 Million contract with Boston Red Sox once declaring in PBA
C: Bruce Maxwell—14.1 Career PBA WAR
SP: Yale Ziegler—2.4 Career Triple-A WAR in 23 Starts
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: New York Mets
5) Aruba
The Case For: There are some good young arms in Aruba and prospects with bright futures.
The Case Against: The talent for Aruba isn’t developed yet, and it will be tough for them to score more than the 14 runs in five games they scored in 2024.
Top Three Talents:
RP: Gerald Riches—#2 PBA Prospect
RP: Odmar Galindo—Southern League All Star
SP: Etienne Toet—1.69 ERA, 7K, 5.1 IP in 2024 WBC
Colorado Connections:
RP: Kees Lenstra—Pioneer League, Canadian Rookie League, California League, and Eastern League All Star
RP: Graham Hamilton—4-1, 1SV, 3.20 ERA, 49K, 39.1 IP in Short-Season A-Ball Boise last year.
Most Affiliated Team: None
6) Chinese Taipei
The Case For: Taiwan went 3-2 last season behind Chi-Hung Hsu’s bat and Ghi-Cheng Der’s arm.
The Case Against: There’s not a lot of power for Taiwan, and the offense should struggle. They only scored 13 runs in 5 games in 2024 despite going 3-2.
Top Three Talents:
RP: Ghi-Cheng Der—1-0, 2 SV, 0.00 ERA, 6 IP, 1 H in 2024 WBC
3B: Yu-Cheng Chang—Eastern League MVP in 2022
SP: Wei-Chung Wang—7 IP, 0.00 ERA, 8K in 2024 WBC
Colorado Connections:
RP: Ju-Long Fou—2.25 Career Minor League ERA in 56 IP
Most Affiliated Team: Seattle Mariners
Group D
1) Dominican Republic
The Case For: Champions in both 2018 and 2024, The Dominican Republic possesses an awesome collection of talent. It has a fantastic bullpen and perhaps the best defensive unit in the tournament.
The Case Against: The team doesn’t have a lot of power, and its staff isn’t as strong as prior versions. That could hurt it against top opponents.
Top Three Talents:
C: Francisco Mejia—7-Time PBA All-Star
CF: Luis Morales—Rookie of the Year and Center Field Platinum Stick Award Winner last year
1B: Jorge Vargas—#19 PBA Prospect
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: Philadelphia Phillies
2) Cuba
The Case For: Cuba has a powerful, patient lineup, and a staff that throws strikes. That’s a combination that can win games.
The Case Against: Most of the Cuban hitters have subpar hit tools and the staff lacks an ace. That could leave it vulnerable to top competition.
Top Three Talents:
3B: Lourdes Gurriel—168 career PBA Home Runs
LF: Luis Robert—AL All Star
SP: Juan Alvarado—40-21, 3.27 Career Minor League record
Colorado Connections:
RP: Aroldis Chapman—4-Time PBA All Star
Most Affiliated Team: Santiago de Cuba Avispas
3) Mexico
The Case For: Mexico has a dominant bullpen. If those relievers can succeed as starters too, Mexico can overwhelm any team’s offense.
The Case Against: The bottom of the order is sub-par and the rotation is filled with two-pitch pitchers. Mexico may have trouble scoring runs.
Top Three-Talents:
RP: Juan Betancourt—Career 3.12 PBA ERA
RP: Giovanny Gallegos—2024 AL All Star
2B: Luis Urias—3-Time 2B Platinum Stick Award Winner
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Teams: None
4) The Netherlands
The Case For: Wessell Russchen may be the best player in baseball. His presence alone makes The Netherlands a serious competitor.
The Case Against: Russchen notwithstanding, it’s a weak lineup and there’s only one arm that’s truly dependable in the rotation.
Top Three Talents:
CF: Wessel Russchen—CF Platinum Stick Award Winner past two seasons.
2B: Xander Bogaerts—331 Career PBA Doubles, fourth most All-Time.
SP: Lothar Vorstermans—Supplemental Round Draft by the Mets in 2021. Projected Top Five Round Pick in PBA Draft in 2026.
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
5) Australia
The Case For: Australia has a potent middle of the order. If Roderick Dalton develops quickly, he can win a few games single handedly.
The Case Against: Australia doesn’t have a good supporting cast and their pitching staff can’t throw strikes. That’s not a formula conducive to winning.
Top Three-Talents:
1B: Roderick Dalton—.357 Average, 2 Home Runs in 5 WBC Games in 2024.
CL: James Hale—0.00 ERA in 3.2 WBC Innings in 2024.
C: Jake Turnbull—C Platinum Stick Winner in Japan last 3 seasons
Colorado Connections: None
Most Affiliated Team: None
6) Costa Rica
The Case For: There are several interesting pitching and outfield prospects that could make noise if they play to their potential.
The Case Against: More than two-thirds of the Costa Rican roster are ineligible to legally drink alcohol in the United States.
Top Three Talents:
SP: Juan de Ochoa—3.96 Career ERA in Minor Leagues and WBC Tournament
SP: Miguel Reyna—2.4 WAR in Cuban League
CL: Carlos Hernandez—Arizona Rookie League Reliever of the Year
Colorado Connections:
CF: Angel Campos—$4.5 million signing bonus by Colorado last year.
Most Affiliated Team: Los Angeles Angels