Former third base slugger Vinny Castilla has moved from the hot corner to the hot seat as he takes over the Mexico national team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The Mexicans do not have a long line of traditional in international ball, but Castilla has loads of pitching. And he will need that as there is not a lot of punch to the Mexican attack.
Home Field Advantage For Opening Round
Mexico will have home field advantage when they face 2006 runners-up Cuba, South Africa and Australia in the first round of the World Baseball Classic from March 8-12 at Mexico City's Foro Sol baseball stadium. The top two in the group will advance to a second round of eliminators against two teams from the Tokyo group consisting of defending WBC champion Japan, China, Chinese Taipei and Korea. Mexico advanced out of the first round in 2006 before falling in second pool play to South Korea and Japan despite beating the United States.
Pitching Dominates Red, White And Green Roster
Castilla, Mexico's skipper at the 2007 Pan American Games, will have loads of pitching to rely upon. The Central Americans went 3-3 in 2006 without arguably two of the nation's best hurlers - dominating Kansas City Royals closer Joakim Soria and outstanding talent Yovani Gallardo of the Milwaukee Brewers. But the top line talent doesn't stop there. Other Major League pitchers include Matt Garza, Oliver Perez, Jorge de la Rosa, Jorge Campillo, Alfredo Aceves in the rotation as well as Mike Gonzalez, Luis Ayala, Denny Reyes, Elmer Dessens, Eddie Guardado and Oscar Villarreal in the bullpen.
Offense Could Use Hints From Manager
The Mexican attack, however, could struggle and may look for hitting tips from the 16-year Major League veteran Castilla, who slugged 320 career homers, including 46 home runs and 144 RBIs in 1998. The leaders of Castilla's offense will be Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and Florida third baseman Jorge Cantu, who were both born in the United States but played for Mexico in 2006 and combined for 65 home runs this season in the Majors. Other players who could have an impact are catcher Rod Barajas, outfielder Scott Hairston, and infielders Edgar Gonzalez - Adrian's brother - and Jerry Hairston Jr. - Scott's brother. Castilla will have until February 24 to cut his 45 man roster to the final 28 spots, including a mandatory 13 pitchers.
Mexico's 24-Man Roster
Name, Bats/Throws, Height, Weight, Birth Date
PITCHERS
Luis Ayala, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 200lbs (91kg), 01/12/1978
Jorge Campillo, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 225lbs (102kg), 08/10/1978
Francisco Campos, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 185lbs (84kg), 12/08/1972
David Cortes, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 225lbs (102kg), 10/15/1973
Elmer Dessens, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 200lbs (91kg), 01/13/1971
Rafael Diaz, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 170lbs (77kg), 12/12/1970
Rodrigo Lopez, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 185lbs (84kg), 12/14/1975
Pablo Ortega, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 190lbs (86kg), 11/07/1976
Oliver Perez, L/L, 6'3" (191cm), 215lbs (98kg), 08/15/1981
Dennys Reyes, R/L, 6'3" (191cm), 250lbs (113kg), 04/19/1977
Ricardo Rincon, L/L, 5'10" (178cm), 190lbs (86kg), 04/13/1970
Francisco Rodriguez,
Joakim Soria, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 185lbs (84kg), 05/18/1984
CATCHERS
Rod Barajas, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 245lbs (111kg), 09/05/1975
Miguel Ojeda, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 230lbs (104kg), 01/29/1975
INFIELDERS
Jorge Cantu, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 200lbs (91kg), 01/30/1982
Erubiel Durazo, L/L, 6'3" (191cm), 240lbs (109kg), 01/23/1975
Adrian Gonzalez, L/L, 6'2" (188cm), 225lbs (102kg), 05/08/1982
Edgar Gonzalez, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 180lbs (82kg), 06/14/1978
Jerry Hairston Jr., R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 185lbs (84kg), 05/29/1976
Agustin Murillo, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 195lbs (88kg), 05/05/1982
Augie Ojeda, S/R, 5'9" (175cm), 175lbs (79kg), 12/20/1974
Oscar Robles, L/R, 5'10" (178cm), 185lbs (84kg), 04/09/1976
Freddy Sandoval, S/R, 6'1" (185cm), 200lbs (91kg), 08/16/1982
Jorge Vazquez, R/R, 6'2" (188cm), 230lbs (104kg), 03/15/1982
OUTFIELDERS
Alfredo Amezaga, S/R, 5'10" (178cm), 180lbs (82kg), 01/16/1978
Karim Garcia, L/L, 6'0" (183cm), 210lbs (95kg), 10/29/1975
Scott Hairston, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 185lbs (84kg), 05/25/1980
