It is now in just under a month that the 2023 World Baseball Classic will get under way. For the first time since 2017, national baseball teams across the planet will cross swords to crown the best ball country.
Obviously, Canada will be there, and the emergence of some great Canadian talent in recent years suggests that there would be an interesting formation to represent the maple leaf.
That said, for many reasons, several big names won’t be able to represent Canada in the end, so much so that looking at the roster announced yesterday, we say to ourselves that Freddie Freeman will have to pull the club up if he hopes win a few games.
While guys like Joey Votto, Josh Naylor, Jameson Taillon, Jordan Romano, Michael Soroka and Charles Leblanc won’t be there for various reasons, we quickly realize that behind Freeman, it’s a little thin.
Certainly, guys like Tyler O’Neill, Abraham Toro, Édouard Julien, Otto Lopez and Bo Naylor are likely to have the opportunity to make a name for themselves, those who have already demonstrated that they are capable of striking at a high level. in professional baseball, but then again, they’re not big hitters in the Majors either.
I don’t know who will be the players who will hit the trails for Freeman to get them home, but hey.
As for gunners, there are a few more than interesting names. Matt Brash, Nick Pivetta and Cal Quantrill are the three best arms of the bunch, but again, the depth isn’t very inspiring.
Veteran Phillippe Aumont will be back in action, as will good old John Axford. We’re talking about guys who have already taken part in the tournament, which at least gives them an idea of what to expect.
But clearly, when you look at the formation of Canada, you quickly realize that the chances of the club depend mainly on Freddie Freeman and a few gunners. I doubt it will be enough against powers like the Americans and the Dominicans, but who knows, anything can happen in a competition like this.
Here are some of the formations that will take part in the tournament.
That of the Americans…
That of the Dominicans…
That of Venezuelans (and Puerto Ricans)…
That of the Japanese…
And that of the Cubans (and the Dutch)…
