At 2 am UK time on Sunday 12th March, GB players will line up at Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona for their first game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
It's hard to imagine a tougher first game for Drew Spencer's players than against the US Dream Team.Rosenmark,Trying to retain the WBC trophy for the United States is arguably the greatest array of baseball talent ever assembled.
Well, that's how the US media puts it. In reality, the US has serious competition for Tournament Favorite honors with Japan and the Dominican Republic.
But it's Team USA that we're going to focus on today.
Watch DeRosa is an elite trio of MLB names. Former manager of the White Sox and New York Mets,manual canister, is the bench coach, with the legendary starter for the Yankees,Andy Pettitte, Pitching Coach und Hall of Famer,Ken GriffeyJr., the hitting coach.
When you see the quality flowing through the US roster, you might be wondering exactly how much help Pettitte and Griffey Jr. have.
CAPTAIN
Mike Forelle: Simply the best player of this generation. Despite only having a 12-year career, Trout leads all active players with an 82.4 WAR. Last year he surpassed the big onesnolan ryanto finish 60th in gaming history, and that's despite Ryan having the benefit of a 27-year career to boost his stats.
In 2012, Trout had his best rookie season ever. And he continued to live up to the hype by finishing first or second in the MVP voting seven times. That's easy to seeMike ForelleThe early announcement of his intention to lead America served as a catalyst for the star rush that followed.
recipient
JT realmutomiWill Smith
For the past two seasons combined, Realmuto and Smith are the No. 1 and No. 2 receivers in the game. there
FIRST BASE
Pablo Goldschmidt: Goldschmidt has racked up more runs than anyone since his 2013 All-Star campaign. Actually only according to WARMike ForelleIt's been better in the last 10 years. Oh, and he's the current National League MVP.
Peter Alonso: On an elite Mets talent roster, Alonso is the star. He hit 53 home runs as a rookie in 2019 and hasn't stopped running. Last season, the 28-year-old led the majors with 131 RBIs but didn't earn a hat-trick in the home run derby as Alonso busted in the semifinals to become the first player to win three straight races. title
SECOND BASE
crazy bets: Until it was announced last week that he would need an operation, we assume soTrevor's storyIt would be second base. If Trout and Goldschmidt are the best players of the last ten years, guess who comes third?You got it, Mookie Betts.The former MVP only plays a few games at second base each season, so he's not a bad replacement for Story.
Jeff McNeil: McNeil, the last player to make his way to the US, ended 2022 as a nobody. 356 AVG was the highest of all qualifying hitters in the second half of the season. When McNeil gets the nod second, look for Mookie, who moves to the center while Trout switches positions.
INTERRUPTION
Trea Turner: The Philadelphia Phillies had to pledge $300 million last month to secure the 29-year-old's services for the next 11 years. Gymnast is one of the true power/speed types in the game; No one else has stolen more than 60 sacks and hit more than 60 home runs over the past three combined seasons.
tim anderson: If Anderson gets 10 out of 10 in dynamism and charisma, he gets only 7 out of 10 in staying power on the field. Injuries have robbed baseball fans of the White Sox shortstops' 122 games in recent seasons, although the memory of his game-winning home run in the Field of Dreams game lives on forever.
THIRD BASE
Nolan Arenado: I'm looking forward to seeing Arenado in London in June. The Cardinals hitter finished third in MVP voting last season and leads all players with 968 RBIs over the past 10 years. Oh, and he's won the Gold Glove every season he's been in the big leagues.
Bobby jokeJr.: Just 12 months ago, Bobby Witt didn't play a single game at the MLB level. Now he's just set an amazing rookie record of 20 homers/30 steals and looks like a Kansas City Royals icon in the making.
campo
Mike Trout: Unfortunately for GB, Trout will not be a non-player captain. Oddly enough, given that Trout has 350 career homers, he's never been a rusher at Chase Field. Don't look how many times Phoenix has played; just accept that he never went there.
Kyle Tucker: Another sense of power/speed. World Series winner Tucker was the only player to hit 30 homers and steal 25 bases last season. And at only 25 years old, the best is yet to come.
kyle schwarber: Some players are taking a while to adjust to the new environment, but Schwarber began to repay the Phillies' faith in his four-year, $79 million contract with a home run on his debut. Towards the end of the season, his power helped lead Philadelphia to the World Series and secured Schwarber the National League home run title.
Cédric Mullins: The Orioles speedster broke out in 2021 and was the only player to hit 30/30 (30 homers and 30 stolen bases) this season. Although he failed to repeat the feat in 2022 (16 HR, 34 SB),its war 9.5 for the last two yearsleads all central defenders.
Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in his elbow forced Bryce Harper to miss the WBC, but that's rumored to beAaron Juizstill considering participation.
FIRST PUBLICATIONS
Clayton Kershaw: The Dodger legend has faced more than 10,000 players since his debut at the age of 20 in 2008. During his 15-year career, Kershaw has averaged a 9.8K/9 with an ERA of under 2.50. He's just the best pitcher of my life.
REST OF THE TURN
merril kelly: Pitched 200 innings for the Diamondbacks in 2022, with 33 starts in the league lead for a 3.37 ERA (3.65 FIP).
Nestor Cortes: The mustachioed Maestro was the seventh-best starter in the American League with an exceptional 2.44 ERA (3.12 FIP) and a 12-4 record.
kyle free country: With 150 major league starts, Freeland made 78 of those at pitcher-unfriendly Coors Field. His career ERA is a full distance behind Colorado.
Cantante Brady: 2022 was a big season for the Royals' impressive starter. His 4.5 WAR was the sixth highest among AL starters and he finished 10-5 with a 3.23 ERA (3.58 FIP).
Logan Webb: The Giants right-hander proved his outstanding 2021 was no fluke by posting a sub-3:00 ERA in 32 starts during the 2022 season.
And then there's the starting talisman of the St. Louis Cardinals,Adam Wainwright. Despite 17 years in the majors, Wainwright remains one of the most reliable starters in the game. Do you know how many pitchers combined have started more games than he has in the last two seasons? one! National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara. Wainwright, now 41, has pitched more than 2,500 major league innings for a career ERA under 3.40. What a stallion!
CLOSER
Ryan Pressly: Since he got closer in 2020, only three pitchers have secured more saves than Pressly. The World Series winner hit 42 batters in the 2022 postseason without conceding a single earned run.
REST OF BULLPEN
devin williamsScoring: At 14.2K/9, the Brewers seamen is one of the top three or four assists in the game. Milwaukee barely noticed Josh Hader's departure.
Daniel Bard:ÖThe Hollywood fairy tale continues. Highly lauded contender for the Red Sox, closest to a runaway starter, "Yips" victim, thoracic outlet syndrome surgery patient, young retiree, comeback kid... WBC winner?
David Bednar: With a 12.0 K/9, the Pirates 2022 forward was a deserved All-Star in the best season of his life, in which he made 19 saves for Pittsburgh. It might not sound like much, but it was Pittsburgh.
Dillon Tate: The former first player makes up for his lack of elite killrate with exceptional control. His whip under 1:00 helped establish him as one of the Orioles' most trusted helpers.
With the WBC starting in March before players are fully ready to play, and with so many studs on the list, expect the actual list to be different than what I presented above.
Would you like to be informed about all WBC news? Make sure you follow@Shawn_SpradlingOn twitter. He became the WBC news guru.
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