The second World Baseball Classic is set to begin. Some countries are just happy to be there, while others will not be satisfied unless they win the championship. Japan is the defending champion, but there are several teams that are eager to knock them off and claim the title of new champion. The following is a World Baseball Classic preview.
1st Round Pool Play
Pool A consists of China, Chinese Taipei, Japan, and Korea. Japan and Korea will be big favorites to come out of this group. In Pool B, Australia, Cuba, Mexico, and South Africa will compete. It will be a huge surprise if Cuba and Mexico don't come out of this group. Pool C consists of Canada, Italy, the U.S., and Venezuela. Expect the U.S. and Venezuela to advance from this group. Finally, Pool D will be comprised of the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands, Panama, and Puerto Rico. Caribbean powers, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico should come out of this group.
Breaking Down the Contenders' Chances
Japan
Japan is the defending champion and it boasts several major leaguers including pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, catcher Kenji Johjima, infielder Akinori Imawura, and outfielders Kosuke Fukudome, and Ichiro Suzuki. Japan has a strong team, but there are a couple teams that are better, so a repeat is unlikely.
Prediction: Japan will make the semifinals before losing to the Dominican Republic.
Korea
Korea shockingly beat eventual champion Japan twice in the 2006 Baseball Classic, before losing to them in the semifinals. They only have one major leaguer on their roster in Shin-Soo Choo, and even he isn't a household name. As they showed last time, this team could be dangerous, but they don't have the talent that the other major powers have.
Prediction: Korea will get knocked out in the 2nd round of pool play.
Cuba
Cuba made the final in the last Baseball Classic and they have been a baseball superpower forever. Unfortunately, their great players like infielder Youlieski Gourriel, don't get a chance to showcase their ability in the major leagues. Cuba has a strong offense but their pitching, once again, is their weakness.
Prediction: Cuba will make the semifinals before losing to archrival the U.S.
Mexico
Mexico has a talented team and they had a decent showing in the last Baseball Classic. They boast a strong pitching staff with Luis Ayala, Jorge Campillo, Oliver Perez, and Joakhim Soria. They also have a decent offense led by infielders Jorge Cantu and Adrian Gonzalez, and outfielder Alfredo Amezaga.
Prediction: In the 2nd round of pool play, Mexico will put up a stong fight, before getting beat out by Cuba and Japan.
The U.S.
The U.S. will be looking to bounce back from a very disappointing showing in the last Baseball Classic. On paper, they are the deepest and most talented team. They have a strong pitching staff that includes Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy, J.P. Howell, J.J. Putz, and Jonathon Broxton. They also have a great offense that includes infielders Derek Jeter, David Wright, Chipper Jones, Dustin Pedroia, Jimmy Rollins, and Kevin Youkilis. There will be some tough decisions in terms of playing time, particularly at short and third. They have a strong catcher in Brian McCann. Their outfield is also strong with, Ryan Braun, Adam Dunn, Curtis Granderson, and Shane Victorino.
Prediction: The U.S. avenges their poor performance of three years ago and wins the Baseball Classic.
Venezuela
Venezuela has a strong team. They have a solid pitching staff that includes Felix Hernandez, Carlos Silva, and Francisco Rodriguez. They also have a strong offense that boasts infielders Miguel Cabrera and Melvin Mora, as well as outfielders Magglio Ordonez, Bobby Abreu, and Endy Chavez. One huge void will be Johan Santana, arguably the best pitcher in the world. He is not healthy enough to compete. They still have a good team but his absence will likely hurt their chances.
Prediction: Venezuela will get knocked out in the 2nd round of pool play.
The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has long been a baseball superpower. Their team is loaded with talent. They have a good pitching staff with Edinson Volquez, Ubaldo Jimenez, Juan Cruz, and Pedro Martinez, who is looking to parlay this into a new major league contract. The strength of this team, though, is their prolific offense. They are led by infielders Jose Reyes, David Ortiz, Robinson Cano, Hanley Ramirez, and Alex Rodriguez, although his status is now up in the air. They also have a strong outfield with Moises Alou, Jose Guillen, and WIlly Taveras. If their pitching holds up, they are a strong threat to win the competition.
Prediction: The Dominican Republic will make the finals before losing to the U.S.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has a decent team, but they don't quite have as much talent as some of the other contenders. They are led by pitchers Javier Vazquez, Ian Snell, Saul Rivera, and J.C. Romero. They have a solid offense led by New York Mets' sluggers Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado. Ultimately, they don't have enough depth on the pitching staff or offense to be a major threat.
Prediction: In the second round of pool play, Puerto Rico will put up a decent fight before getting beat out by the U.S. and the Dominican Republic.
There are many who don't like the World Baseball Classic, but it is good for baseball and good for the fans. These games will certainly be more competitive and more exciting than meaningless spring training games. Many teams have high hopes, but ultimately, there will be only one World Baseball Classic Champion. May the best team win.
