Venezuela are stacked on the mound and at the plate and the South Americans have an excellent chance of winning the 2009 World Baseball Classic under the watchful eye of manager Luis Sojo.
U.S. And Canada In Opening Round
Venezuela will have a tough road in the 2009 WBC as they face the United States, Canada and Italy in the first round of the World Baseball Classic from March 7-11 in Toronto. The top two in the group will advance to a second round of eliminators against two teams from the Puerto Rico group consisting of Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Netherlands and Panama.
Disappointing 2006
Fans back home were disappointed that Venezuela failed to get out of the second round and only going 3-3 at the 2006 Classic despite having as much talent as any team in the competition.
Talent Abound On The Mound
Starting with the pitching staff, Sojo has plenty of options and he may be cutting some top notch hurlers in the final 28-man roster, which must include 13 pitchers and be set by February 24. Expected to lead the rotation will be Johan Santana if he's healthy. Right behind him will be Carlos Zambrano, Felix Hernandez and Armando Galarraga. Other starters include Carlos Carrasco, Anibal Sanchez and Carlos Silva. The bullpen is anchored by Francisco Rodriguez and also has Rafael Betancourt, Jorge Julio and Juan Rincon.
Stars Throughout The Lineup
Expecting to control the staff will be a strong catching core including Ramon Hernandez, Dioner Navarro, Max Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval. The infield is loaded, led by the Detroit duo of Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Guillen while Melvin Mora is a big bat and Omar Vizquel provides some superb leather and Cesar and Maicer Izturis provide plenty of all-around help. The outfield is topped by the third Detroit slugger Magglio Ordonez, who is joined by Bobby Abreu, Carlos Gonzalez and Juan Rivera.
Venezuela's 24-Man Roster
Name, Bats/Throws, Height, Weight, Birth Date
PITCHERS
Ivan Blanco, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 190lbs (86kg), 09/24/1983
Francisco Butto, R/R, 6'1" (185cm), 200lbs (91kg), 05/11/1980
Armando Galarraga, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 180lbs (82kg), 01/15/1982
Enrique Gonzalez, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 210lbs (95kg), 07/14/1982
Jan Granado, L/L, 6'0" (183cm), 190lbs (86kg), 09/26/1982
Felix Hernandez, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 230lbs (104kg), 04/08/1986
Orber Moreno, R/R, 6'3" (191cm), 230lbs (104kg), 04/27/1977
Victor Moreno, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 240lbs (109kg), 06/10/1979
Franciso Rodriguez, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 195lbs (88kg), 01/07/1982
Carlos Silva, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 245lbs (111kg), 04/23/1979
Carlos Vasquez, L/L, 6'3" (191cm), 230lbs (104kg), 12/06/1982
Carlos Zambrano, S/R, 6'5" (196cm), 255lbs (116kg), 06/01/1981
Victor Zambrano, S/R, 6'0" (183cm), 205lbs (93kg), 08/06/1975
CATCHERS
Henry Blanco, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 220lbs (100kg), 08/29/1971
Ramon Hernandez, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 235lbs (107kg), 05/20/1976
Max Ramirez, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 175lbs (79kg), 10/11/1984
INFIELDERS
Miguel Cabrera, R/R, 6'4" (193cm), 240lbs (109kg), 04/18/1983
Carlos Guillen, S/R, 6'1" (185cm), 215lbs (98kg), 09/30/1975
Cesar Izturis, S/R, 5'9" (175cm), 190lbs (86kg), 02/10/1980
Jose Lopez, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 205lbs (93kg), 11/24/1983
Melvin Mora, R/R, 5'11" (180cm), 200lbs (91kg), 02/02/1972
Marco Scutaro, R/R, 5'10" (178cm), 185lbs (84kg), 10/30/1975
OUTFIELDERS
Bobby Abreu, L/R, 6'0" (183cm), 210lbs (95kg), 03/11/1974
Gregor Blanco, L/L, 5'11" (180cm), 170lbs (77kg), 12/12/1983
Endy Chavez, L/L, 6'0" (183cm), 170lbs (77kg), 02/07/1978
Magglio Ordonez, R/R, 6'0" (183cm), 215lbs (98kg), 01/28/1974
Gerardo Parra, L/L, 5'11" (180cm), 195lbs (88kg), 05/06/1987
