Major League Baseball announced on 9 February 2023 the rosters of the teams that will be participating in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The announced roster of the Dominican Republic team is full of young emerging stars that make it the team to beat once the championship starts in March 2023. According to the online sportsbook BetOnline.ag, Team Dominican Republic is the betting favorite at +200, followed by Team USA at +275, Japan at +325 and Puerto Rico at +950. Cuba and Venezuela come next at +1600.
The MLB stars that are on the Dominican team include: National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara; American League Rookie of the Year, Julio Rodríguez, recent Gold Glove Award winners Manny Machado and Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and Juan Soto are regarded as two of the of the best active hitters in MLB.
The Dominican Republic seeks to win its second WBC title. Its first was when Robinson Canó’s “platano power” clinched the title in 2013.
The MLB position-by-position breakdown of Team Dominican Republic is:
Catchers: Francisco Mejía (Rays), Gary Sánchez
Infielders: Willy Adames (Brewers), Robinson Canó, Rafael Devers (Red Sox), Wander Franco (Rays), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Manny Machado (Padres), Ketel Marte (D-backs), Jeremy Peña (Astros), Jean Segura (Marlins), Nelson Cruz (Padres)
Outfielders: Teoscar Hernández (Mariners), Eloy Jiménez (White Sox), Julio Rodríguez (Mariners), Juan Soto (Padres)
Pitchers: Bryan Abreu (Astros), Sandy Alcantara (Marlins), Ronel Blanco (Astros), Génesis Cabrera (Cardinals), Diego Castillo (Mariners), Roansy Contreras (Pirates), Johnny Cueto (Marlins), Enyel De Los Santos (Guardians), Camilo Doval (Giants), Carlos Estévez (Angels), Jarlín García (Pirates), Luis García (Padres), Yimi Garcia (Blue Jays), Cristian Javier (Astros), José Leclerc (Rangers), Rafael Montero (Astros), Héctor Neris (Astros), Joel Payamps (Brewers), Gregory Soto (Phillies), César Valdez (Angels)
Repeating team members from the last edition held in 2017, are veterans Nelson Cruz (42 years old), who will also be the general manager, Robinson Canó (40 years old) and Johnny Cueto (turns 37 years old on 15 February). Also Manny Machado and Héctor Neris.
The Dominican Republic is in Pool D of the four group WBC. The DR is scheduled to play at the LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida from 11-15 March 2023. The Dominican Republic will play against Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Israel. The Dominican Republic will match Venezuela (11 March), Nicaragua (13 March), Israel (14 March), Puerto Rico (15 March).
The other groups are:
Pool A: Chinese Taipei, Netherlands, Cuba, Italy, Panama
Pool B: Japan, South Korea, Australia, China, Czech Republic
Pool C: United States, Mexico, Colombia, Canada, Great Britain
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Sports Illustrated
Diario Libre
Listin Diario
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Wikipedia:
MASN Sports
13 February 2023