WBC 2023: Final predictions and what you need to know

ESPN

What's at stake Tuesday night in the World Baseball Classic final between the United States and Japan at Miami's LoanDepot Park?

Oh, just global baseball bragging rights for at least the next three years.

It's the matchup that most baseball fans have been not-so-secretly hoping for throughout the tournament -- and it's finally here, for the WBC trophy. Now all that's left to find out is whether the defending champs, Team USA, repeat -- or Japan wins its third WBC title after eliminating Mexico in a dramatic semifinal.

We asked our team of baseball experts to make their picks, break down the two finalists and share their favorite highlight from what has been an earth-shaking WBC tournament so far.

The matchup

First pitch: 7 p.m. ET

Japan (6-0 in 2023 WBC)

Starting pitcher: Shota Imanaga

USA (5-1 in 2023 WBC)

Starting pitcher: TBD



What to expect from Team USA


Why the U.S. can win:

Because that lineup is devastating, particularly when it goes back-to-back-to-back with Trea Turner, Betts and Mike Trout in the Nos. 9, 1 and 2 spots. That's three of the most complete offensive players in the sport, capable of beating teams with their speed, power and on-base ability. And Turner, who has homered three times in his last two games, is especially hot right now. -- Alden Gonzalez

What can stop it:

For as deep and talented as Team USA's position player group is, the pitching staff seems a bit vulnerable, particularly the first 21 outs, before Devin Williams and Ryan Pressly can factor into the game. Performance from the middle relievers -- a group consisting of Adam Ottavino, David Bednar, Kendall Graveman and Daniel Bard, the latter of whom suffered noticeable command issues in his last appearance -- will be critical. -- Gonzalez

Player to watch:

Trout. The all-world outfielder has been waiting for this moment seemingly his whole career. It hasn't come with the Angels yet, so this is the next best thing -- a chance to lead Team USA to a WBC title. And imagine this: He could get a chance to bat against Angels teammate Shohei Ohtani in the championship game. -- Jesse Rogers



What to expect from Team Japan


Why Japan will win:

Because this team is incredibly talented, from Shohei Ohtani to Masataka Yoshida to Munetaka Murakami -- the three players who capped the ninth-inning rally against Mexico to advance to the finals -- and all the way down the lineup. Because their team, called Samurai Japan, has a long history of excelling in international tournaments. Because they have the better starting pitcher, Yu Darvish. And because it's tough to pick against a team that still hasn't lost in the tournament. -- Jeff Passan

What can stop it:

Team USA's lineup is really, really good, with All-Stars from top to bottom, something Cuba learned in its 14-2 semifinal loss. Beyond the power of Team USA, though, there's a matter of the bullpen. Even though these are the best of the best in Japan, the quality of stuff they have seen on their route to the final is just different than what the American pitchers, particularly the relievers, have to offer. Japan wants to grab an early lead, because clawing from behind against rested American relievers will be tougher than it was against Mexico. -- Passan

Player to watch:

Ohtani. Who else could it be for Japan? In truth, this team has several stars who have had great moments during the WBC, but Ohtani will start at DH and still could be called upon to pitch late in the game. If all goes perfectly, Ohtani will help get Japan a lead and then pitch his country to a championship in relief.-- Rogers



Best moment of the WBC so far ... and will anything in the final top it?

Gonzalez:

Trea Turner's grand slam in the eighth inning of Team USA's thrilling victory in the quarterfinals. The atmosphere inside LoanDepot Park was electric, the excitement among the U.S. players was palpable -- and it was the exclamation point for one of the most intense, back-and-forth games in recent memory, in any setting. As to whether something will top it in the final? Yeah, maybe. This year's tournament has continually exceeded expectations.

Passan:

Mexico-Japan, for a spot in the WBC finals. It's the bottom of the ninth. Mexico leads by a run. The best player in the world steps up and whacks a double. A star in Japan, who will soon be one in America, draws a walk. The best hitter in Japan hammers a game-winning double off the wall to score both, bringing a chaotic, madcap, gorgeous baseball game to an end. Ohtani, Masataka Yoshida and Munetaka Murakami will go down in baseball lore for making Japan 6, Mexico 5 a reality. It was just a reminder that the WBC brings the intensity of October, only in March.

Rogers:

Randy Arozarena doing just about anything could qualify for the best moment -- the catches, the celebrations, the vibes. But can it really be anything other than Turner's slam to save Team USA's season? Yes, Japan's walk-off Monday to reach the finals came close, but Turner's slam is the moment.



Predictions: Final score and MVP

Gonzalez:

USA 6, Japan 4. MVP: Mike Trout

Passan:

Japan 2, USA 1. MVP: Shohei Ohtani

Rogers:

USA 8, Japan 6. MVP: Mookie Betts

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USA-Japan World Baseball Classic FAQ (LIVE on FS1)

MIAMI –

It’s the matchup every fan and player dreamed of at the start of the tournament: Samurai Japan vs. Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final.

“[I’m] proud to be wearing Japan across my chest, proud to be playing against the U.S., and I think it's good for baseball,” Japan outfielder Lars Nootbaar said ahead of the contest. “I think it's good that Japan versus the U.S. is going to be in the finals. And personally, I've got some friends and got some teammates over there too, so it's even more special and more exciting.”

Echoed USA outfielder Kyle Schwarber, "You obviously come for the experience and you come to play with this team. This group, it's an exciting group. But you don't come here just for that -- you come to win."

Japan is looking for its third title while Team USA is hoping to go back-to-back after winning in 2017.

When is the game and how can I watch it?

Right now on FS1 and the FOX Sports App. For international viewing options, click here. Live audio coverage will be carried on Sirius XM, TuneIn, MLB.com and in the MLB App.

Who are the starting pitchers?

USA:

Merrill Kelly of the D-backs is getting the nod in the finals. The righty started the Pool C finale vs. Colombia, going three innings and allowing two runs on four hits.

Japan:

There were rumors that Yu Darvish might get the start -- or perhaps even Shohei Ohtani -- but instead the team is turning to Shōta Imanaga. The southpaw has appeared in two games in relief this tournament, giving up one run in four innings and striking out five. He pitched 143 2/3 innings for Yokohama last season, posting a 2.26 ERA.

What are the starting lineups?

USA

USA is facing a lefty starter for the third game in a row. The red-hot Trea Turner has been moved up in the lineup from the No. 9 spot to sixth in the order.

Mookie Betts, RF
Mike Trout, CF
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
Nolan Arenado, 3B
Kyle Schwarber, DH
Trea Turner, SS
J.T. Realmuto, C
Cedric Mullins, LF
Tim Anderson, 2B

Japan

Japan is sticking with what worked on Monday, rolling out the same lineup for the final.

Lars Nootbaar, CF
Kensuke Kondoh, RF
Shohei Ohtani, DH
Masataka Yoshida, LF
Munetaka Murakami, 3B
Kazuma Okamoto, 1B
Tetsuto Yamada, 2B
Sosuke Genda, SS
Yuhei Nakamura, C

Player to watch

USA

Trea Turner, SS

Turner followed up his quarterfinals-winning grand slam on Saturday with two home runs in the semifinals on Sunday. The new Phillies shortstop set a WBC record with two straight games of four RBIs. He enters the championship game slashing .368/.429/1.000 with a 1.429 OPS.

“Early in this, me, J.T. [Realmuto], and Schwarber were talking about Spring Training numbers, and I haven't hit a homer in Spring Training in like four or five years or something like that,” Turner recounted on Sunday. “So it's kind of funny how it works out, but I don't ask questions. I just go up there, and hopefully it continues on. We need one more win, so let's get that last one.”

Japan

Munetaka Murakami, 3B

After being ice cold throughout the tournament, the third baseman looked like the player coming off a historic 56 home run season in his final at-bat. He just barely missed his first homer of the tournament, but his deep blast was good enough to drive in two runs in Japan’s walk-off victory. If this is the sign that his swing is back on track, Japan’s lineup just got a lot deeper.

Anything else fans might want to know?

Shohei Ohtani has said that he’s available to pitch in relief, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll be used -- or that we’ll get the Ohtani vs. Trout matchup we’ve all been dreaming of.

“Mentally, I will be prepared to throw,” Ohtani said after Monday’s dramatic victory. “But I’m obviously DHing, so it’s going to be hard to find a time to get hot in the bullpen.”

Sosuke Genda also has a broken finger, but Kuriyama relies on his skills on defense and has asked him to play through the injury.

Sunday’s pitching efforts helped keep USA’s bullpen fresh for the title game. Had DeRosa called on Kendall Graveman, Ryan Pressly or Devin Williams in the semifinals, they would not have been guaranteed to be available on Tuesday.

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It's the absolute, ultimate, perfect ending: Ohtani vs. Trout

Japan claimed its third World Baseball Classic championship on Tuesday with a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the United States in Miami.

Hideki Kuriyama’s men fell behind in the top of the second inning after Trea Turner’s solo home run to left field, only for slugger Munetaka Murakami to respond with a blast of his own to tie the game and Lars Nootbaar to drive in the 2-1 run in the bottom of the frame.

A Kazuma Okamoto homer in the fourth inning extended Japan’s lead to 3-1, with the bullpen keeping the Americans tied down at one run until Yu Darvish surrendered a solo home run to Kyle Schwarber in the eighth inning.


Japan's Kazuma Okamoto hits a home run in the fourth inning of the World Baseball Classic final against the United States in Miami on Tuesday. | KYODO



Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani earned the save for Japan in the ninth inning, writing his place in baseball history by striking out Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to end the game.


Japan’s Shohei Ohtani pitches in the ninth inning of the World Baseball Classic final against the United States in Miami on Tuesday. Ohtani wrote his place in baseball history by striking out Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout to end the game. | KYODO



The victory ended Japan’s 14-year wait to lift the trophy it last held in 2009, when MLB stars such as Ichiro Suzuki and Daisuke Matsuzaka led the team to a dramatic 5-3 triumph over South Korea in Los Angeles.


OHTANI STRIKES OUT TROUT TO CLINCH WBC TITLE
https://youtu.be/sdeRDZ8UKB8


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Shohei Ohtani fans Mike Trout for final out as Japan wins WBC


Jeff Passan ESPN


MIAMI --

The dream matchup happened. Ninth inning. Two outs. One-run game. The best player on the planet, Shohei Ohtani, on the mound for Japan. His teammate and good friend, Mike Trout, at the plate for Team USA.

The count went full. Ohtani unleashed a vicious slider. Trout swung through it. And with it, Samurai Japan won the World Baseball Classic.

In a tense, anxiety-riddled game with a storybook ending, Japan capped a perfect WBC with a 3-2 victory over the U.S. in front of 36,058 at LoanDepot Park. The Japanese team held a potent U.S. offense down and in front of a partisan crowd, with "USA!" chants in the ninth inning, won the epic at-bat between the two Los Angeles Angels.

Ohtani, who hadn't pitched in relief since the 2016 postseason in Japan, had emerged out of the bullpen and took slow, long strides toward the plate -- walking, taking in the scenery, as Trout, from the dugout, peeked over his shoulder just to make sure he knew what was coming.

What came to the first hitter, Jeff McNeil: a 101.5 mph fastball, the hardest Ohtani had thrown since coming to the United States -- until he would later face Trout. McNeil wound up drawing a walk, but Mookie Betts grounded into a double play, setting up the at-bat Ohtani and Trout both wanted.

It lasted six pitches: a slider for a ball, a 100 mph fastball for a swinging strike, a 100 mph fastball for a ball, a 100 mph fastball for a swinging strike, a 101.6 mph fastball for a ball and the 87 mph slider, the last of three swinging strikes, to send Japan home champions.

Samurai Japan, the juggernaut of this WBC, finished off the Americans to cap a 7-0 tournament. Starting with Shota Imanaga and ending with Ohtani, who also went 1-for-3 batting third as designated hitter, Japan spread out its nine innings among seven pitchers and shut down the U.S. offense, whose two runs came on solo homers from Trea Turner in the second inning and Kyle Schwarber in the seventh. Otherwise, the American offense was feckless, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranding eight runners.

Over the previous 17 days, the WBC had filled the typically staid March baseball calendar with heart-palpitating action: the tournament favorite Dominican Republic getting ousted in pool play; a late-game, go-ahead grand slam that propelled the U.S. into the semifinals; and a ninth-inning walk-off double to send Japan into the finals in a come-from-behind win.

All of it set up a dream final between two baseball powerhouses: Team USA, with its copious All-Stars and billion-dollar lineup, against Samurai Japan, the No. 1-ranked team in the world, defending Olympic gold medalists and owner of the uniform worn by Ohtani.

Throughout the tournament, he continued to amaze, as he has done both hitting and pitching during his five-year major league career. The joy of the WBC, of playing in games larded with meaning, was difficult for Ohtani to hide. The Angels haven't made the postseason since he joined them in 2018.

So before the finals, in a video posted on social media, Ohtani delivered a fiery speech to his teammates, acknowledging the awe with which they viewed Team USA -- and the talent that existed inside of the clubhouse that was plenty capable of beating it.

"Let's stop admiring them," Ohtani said. "If you admire them, you can't surpass them. We came here to surpass them, to reach the top. For one day, let's throw away our admiration for them and just think about winning."

They reached the top at 10:43 p.m. ET, engulfing Ohtani, their hero and lifeblood. Ten minutes later, they received their gold medals, winners, just like Ohtani said.

With homers from Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto, Japan is in front against USA in the World Baseball Classic championship game. Tune i

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Marcus Stroman

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Give Ohtani a billion dollars. Mythical unicorn god on the baseball field!

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ONE WORD ON THE 2023 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC -


WOW !!



USA VS JAPAN BOX SCORE

https://www.espn.com/world-baseball-cla ... /401507523


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Joe

Double WOW !!!

Love the baseball.

Hate the commentary. Had the ninth on mute.

Sea

No way I was going to mute the game at that point.

I was waiting for this moment for two plus weeks.

Hollywood scripted ending.

Hollywood scripted classic.

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Champs again! Japan wins '23 Classic

[ I had to take some time off to come down from that baseball high known as the World Baseball Classic.
To be honest, after watching 18 either live or recorded games, I was drained.
But, I'm back and ready to go for some Cleveland Guardian baseball.

There were tremendous highs and lows for the participating teams right down from Nicaragua, Italy, Caracao, Czechoslovakia in pool play to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Japan, and the USA in the quarterfinals, semi-finals, and the championship round.

Australia and Italy lead underdog upsets. For all the star power assembled in the tournament, some of the most memorable moments come from wins of lesser-known teams on baseball's biggest stage. Australia past Korea in one of the more shocking upsets and wild finishes early in WBC play. ]

Some of the outstanding moments in this edition of the 2023 WBC:

Japan defeats United States 3-2 (2023 championship)

It seemed that there was no way for this game to live up to the hype that started building as soon as Japan won its semifinal game over Mexico. USA vs. Japan. Championship game. The team that won the first two WBC tournaments against the team that won the most recent one. MLB teammates turned international rivals in Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Yet it somehow lived up to that hype -- and then some.

Trea Turner started the game’s scoring with his fifth home run of the tournament, tying the single-WBC record previously set by Korea’s Seung Yuop Lee in 2006. But momentum quickly went back toward the Japanese squad, much thanks to a 115.1-MPH, 432-foot rocket by Munetaka Murakami, fresh off hitting a walk-off double the prior night to send Japan to the final.

After both team’s bullpens saw some success, we were treated to a scenario that sounds too good for even a movie: Ohtani vs. Trout, two outs, top of the ninth inning, one-run game, for all the marbles. And in perhaps the most anticipated at-bat in the history of the sport, Ohtani fanned his Angels teammate to clinch Japan’s third WBC title.

Japan defeats Mexico 6-5 (2023 semifinal)

This game was a back-and-forth thriller that had absolutely everything. Twenty-one-year-old Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki started the game firing 102 mph fastballs -- only for Luis Urías to put Mexico up 3-0 with one big swing of the bat, a three-run homer in the fourth inning. As the game went on, every Japan comeback attempt was thwarted by the heroics of Randy Arozarena in left field -- including a sensational home run robbery of slugger Kazuma Okamoto.
But finally, in the bottom of the seventh, Japan got its own big swing: a majestic game-tying three-run home run off the foul pole by Masataka Yoshida with two outs and two strikes. And the drama was only just beginning. The very next inning, Mexico rallied to take the lead again off ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the best pitcher in Japan. They would take a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the ninth.

Who was leading off the ninth for Japan? Shohei Ohtani, of course. And Ohtani ripped a double off Mexico closer Giovanny Gallegos to get the game-winning rally started. Up next: Yoshida, who drew a walk to put the winning run on base and set the stage for Munetaka Murakami. Murakami, who last season hit 56 home runs to shatter Sadaharu Oh's single-season NPB record for the most by a Japanese-born player, had struggled mightily at the plate all Classic long. But he came through when it mattered most, ripping a walk-off two-run double off the center-field wall to send Samurai Japan to the WBC championship game.

Mexico defeats Puerto Rico 5-4 (2023 second round)

Team Mexico’s quarterfinal matchup against Puerto Rico went about as poorly as it could have gone for them, as Puerto Rico jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning behind home runs from Javier Báez and Eddie Rosario on back-to-back pitches. But Team Mexico never blinked, thanks in large part to Isaac Parades. After getting Team Mexico on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning, Parades played hero in the seventh inning in the form of a two-out, two-run single to knot the score at 4 before Mexico took the lead a batter later on a Luis Urías single. Team Mexico was able to hold onto the lead and take home the win, with Randy Arozarena's incredible catch at the warning track and Giovanny Gallegos clinching the save with runners on first and second serving as the highlights from the final innings.

Some of the Highlights:

Ohtani fans Trout to clinch title

You could hardly have scripted a better final matchup for the 2023 World Baseball Classic -- Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, typically Angels teammates, now adversaries representing their respective countries with the championship up for grabs. Called on in the ninth inning to protect Japan’s 3-2 lead over Team USA in the title game, Ohtani got the better of Trout in their epic showdown, striking him out with a wicked 3-2 sweeper to finish off Japan’s undefeated tournament run. Ohtani was named World Baseball Classic MVP following Japan’s triumph.

Japan walks off Mexico on Murakami’s double

A tense, thrilling game between Japan and Mexico couldn’t have had a more exciting conclusion. With Japan trailing, 5-4, in the bottom of the ninth inning of a back-and-forth game, Munetaka Murakami crushed a Giovanny Gallegos fastball off the wall in left-center field. Shohei Ohtani scored from second with the tying run, and Ukyo Shuto -- thanks to some brilliant baserunning instincts -- scored from first well ahead of the throw. Murakami’s double ended Mexico’s WBC run and sent Japan to the title contest against the U.S.

Turner slams Venezuela

After going undefeated in pool play, Venezuela faced off against Team USA in the quarterfinals and appeared to be on the verge of ousting the defending World Baseball Classic champions when it took a 7-5 lead into the eighth. However, United States shortstop Trea Turner had other plans, belting an 0-2 pitch from Venezuela righty Silvino Bracho deep to left field for a go-ahead grand slam in the top of the frame and putting Team USA on a path to the semifinals. Turner ended up tying a WBC single-tournament record with five homers, including two in the semifinals against Cuba and another in the championship against Japan.

Yoshida hits game-tying home run in semifinals

It wasn’t even a bad pitch. But Masataka Yoshida made it look that way. The Japanese slugger -- signed this offseason by the Boston Red Sox -- lifted a 2-2 slider at the knees and just off the inside corner from Mexico’s JoJo Romero deep to right field in the bottom of the seventh inning, with the ball hitting high up on the right-field foul pole. Yoshida’s three-run blast turned the tide in the WBC semifinal, bringing his team even with Mexico, 3-3, and setting the stage for Japan's eventual walk-off win.

Randy strikes a pose after home run robbery

Like he did in the 2020 postseason for the Rays, Arozarena came up big in the clutch time and time again for Mexico during the 2023 Classic -- both with his bat and with his glove. Although Mexico ultimately lost a 6-5 heartbreaker to Japan in the semifinals, Arozarena’s homer robbery and subsequent pose in the bottom of the fifth inning will be one of the lasting memories from the tournament. Arozarena made the play look easy, locating Kensuke Kondoh’s towering fly ball and perfectly timing his jump before snatching the would-be homer out of the air at the left-field wall.

Lindor’s “Little League” homer

With Puerto Rico holding a 4-1 lead over the Dominican Republic in the final game of Pool D, Francisco Lindor laced a breaking ball into center field for a single -- or so everyone thought. Center fielder Julio Rodríguez attempted to play the ball on a hop, but it skipped right by him and rolled all the way to the wall. Lindor was well around second by the time Rodríguez reached the baseball, and second baseman Ketel Marte couldn’t pick up the relay throw from the outfield. Marte stood and watched as Lindor slid headfirst into home plate, a crowd of jubilant teammates around him. Puerto Rico knocked out the Dominican Republic with a 5-2 win.

Hebbert strikes out stars, gets signed

One inning changed Duque Hebbert’s life. The 21-year-old right-hander stepped onto the mound in the ninth inning of Nicaragua’s first-round matchup against the Dominican Republic and struck out three of MLB’s biggest stars -- Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez and (after a Manny Machado double) Rafael Devers -- all of them on changeups. Afterward, he was approached by a scout from the Tigers, who offered Hebbert the chance to live out his dream of signing with an MLB organization.

Castillo’s amazing catch for Panama

An unexpected obstacle came into play as Panama right fielder Luis Castillo chased a fly ball in the gap against Chinese Taipei during the teams’ second game of pool play on March 8. And it wasn’t the wall. Castillo ran smack into center fielder Jose Ramos, a collision that laid out both outfielders. Hitter Tsung-Che Cheng made it all the way around the bases, thinking he had an inside-the-park home run, but Castillo -- still lying on the warning track -- lifted his glove with the ball nestled inside. The ridiculous catch kept Panama up, 5-0, in its eventual 12-5 win.

Muzik magic gives Czech Republic its first WBC win

Playing in its first World Baseball Classic after winning a qualifier in 2022, the Czech Republic introduced itself to the baseball world at large with a dramatic 8-5 win over China in its first game. First baseman Martin Muzik delivered the big blow for the Czech team, blasting a go-ahead three-run homer with one out in the top of the ninth inning.

LaSorsa’s wild celebration for Italy

With the bases loaded in the sixth inning against the Netherlands, Italy pitcher Joe LaSorsa struck out Roger Bernadina for the third out to preserve a 6-1 lead. But the real highlight was just beginning. LaSorsa celebrated the K all the way off the mound and into the first-base dugout, pounding his chest and spiking his cap. His screams of exhilaration were audible on the FOX broadcast before he was mobbed by teammates. LaSorsa helped Italy to a 7-1 win over the Netherlands in the teams’ final game of pool play.

What The Players Had To Say:

Mike Trout:

"It's different," Trout said moments after Japan's 3-2 championship-clinching victory over Team USA on Tuesday night. "I can't really express what's different about it -- you can just feel it in your veins."

Shohei Ohtani:

“My dream has come true,” Ohtani said of Samurai Japan’s victory. “It was such a relief I was able to close out the game. But it’s sad this tournament is over.” Asked to comment on his matchup with Trout, Ohtani said, “I knew he would be the final batter of the game if I could retire the first two. I managed to get him (Mookie Betts) to hit into a double play and faced Trout in the best possible situation.” After the game, Ohtani said on the worldwide television broadcast, “I believe this is the best moment in my life.”

Andres Gimenez:

“To play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic means a lot to me,” said Gimenez. “It’s my country, It’s a huge honor.”

Bo Naylor:

“Any chance you get to put on a jersey with your country’s name on it, it’s special I’ve always treated it as an honor.” Josh Naylor played for Canada in the WBC in 2017, but is not playing this year as he continues to recover from a broken right ankle suffered during the 2021 season. But he did give his younger brother some advice. “He said it’s going to be very loud,” said Bo Naylor. “There are going to be a lot of opportunities to take in a great experience and share a lot of great memories with the guys around you.”

Trea Turner:

Speaking after the game, Turner called the grand slam the “biggest hit” of his career and added that the crowd was the loudest he’s ever been in front of. “Definitely do it again,”

J.T. Realmuto:

“It was a blast,” Realmuto said. “I would much rather do this. Spring training can drag out a little bit, so it’s nice to get two weeks away and have these at-bats that mean a lot.”

Kyle Schwarber:

“This is like the best at-bats that you could ever get before a season,” said Schwarber, “You’re not really tiptoeing your way through a spring training at-bat. You’re coming in and competing. It’s time to win. I don’t feel like the quantity [of at-bats] is a problem because I would say everyone got really good quality.” Schwarber said competing in the WBC was “one of those bucket list items,” but one that he hopes to do again.

J.T. Realmuto and Mike Trout:

Realmuto said he’s in for 2026, too. Team USA captain Mike Trout, who struck out in a dream matchup against Angels teammate Ohtani in a championship-game ending that will be talked about for years, has indicated that he would play again, too.

Puerto Rico catcher Christian Vazquez:

"If you're not here, you don't get the desire and hunger and passion that we have for the game and for this tournament," Puerto Rico catcher Christian Vazquez said in Spanish. "Wearing your homeland's colors on the playing field is unexplainable. And this is an even bigger responsibility for all of us because it's not representing a team, but an entire island. Our home country. And you give it all for your family and for all the people that got you here today. I was a World Series champion with the Red Sox, and this experience just has no comparisons. I get goosebumps just thinking about it."

Alex Verdugo:

"It means everything," Verdugo said of playing in the WBC. "I love this." Verdugo was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, but his father was born in Hermosillo, Mexico. The outfield glove he uses regularly with the Boston Red Sox is red, white and green as a tribute to the Mexican flag.

Mark DeRosa:

"It's like you either perform or you get exposed," Team USA manager Mark DeRosa said. "I just think there is such a respect of the tournament from the guys in that room -- a want to succeed, a want to represent your country."

Francisco Lindor:

"I understand how Mets fans are hurting," Lindor said in Spanish. "But while for so many people the regular season is what counts, playing in the WBC means just as much to all of us. It is the dream of every Puerto Rican ballplayer to wear Puerto Rico's colors and to represent our country. And not only Puerto Ricans, but every player in the WBC considers being here the ultimate honor. Of course, we don't want injuries to happen, but it is part of the game. And they are things that can happen just anywhere."

Nolan Arenado:

Team USA third baseman Nolan Arenado, who had just completed his second stint in the World Baseball Classic, stood about 10 feet from Ohtani, who wore a medal and took part in an endless array of selfies. "Players need to do this," Arenado said. "We have a really good team, but we need more stars. We need more guys. Why not? I think it's important to play in it. You're throwing hard in spring training, you're playing hard. You might as well do it here -- on a big stage for your country."

SHOCKED!!!

On Saturday morning, when the Czech Republic finally faced Japan -- and by extension, Ohtani -- it was tasked with taking down an undefeated team that has proven to be an offensive powerhouse thus far (Japan’s 31 runs scored through three games are by far the most in Pool B).

The Czech lineup had to face an equally fearsome starting pitcher, 21-year-old Roki Sasaki, who pumps 100 mph sinkers with regularity. Czech starter Ondrej Satoria, who is an electrician by day, provided an incredible contrast. In his three innings of work against Japan, he topped out at 79.3 mph -- and faced an uphill battle.

While Satoria ultimately surrendered three runs in his team’s 10-2 loss, he came away with a souvenir many Major League pitchers can’t boast. In the third inning, facing Ohtani for the second time, Satoria struck him out on three pitches -- the third a 72.1 mph changeup that drew an ugly swing from one of MLB’s best hitters.

"What I'll remember is Satoria's first inning," manager Pavel Chadim said. "It was strikeout, strikeout and ground ball to first. Then Shohei struck out in his second time up. ... Three strikeouts from three of the best hitters from Japan in the lineup."

CLASSIC:



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"Th-th-th-that's all, folks!"

There may never be a better excuse to get Mike Trout and Bryce Harper on the same team.



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Picking the Team USA Roster for 2026 World Baseball Classic That Can Beat Japan

ZACHARY D. RYMER

MARCH 24, 2023

Team USA has nothing to be ashamed of. If you're going to fall short in the World Baseball Classic, it might as well be with a one-run loss in the championship game to an undefeated juggernaut, with your best hitter going down swinging against the opposition's best pitcher.

This said, it's not too early to dream big about what Team USA might bring to seek revenge in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Or at least, this is what we told ourselves as we picked a preliminary dream team for the next iteration of Team USA. The idea was to dream up an American version of the Samurai Japan squad that denied the USA a second straight WBC championship: a proper collection of the 30 best players the country has to offer.

To be sure, it's hard to take anything for granted regarding how willing players will be to participate in the 2026 tournament, much less whether they'd choose to play for Team USA. And while ZiPS projections for 2025 were helpful, there's no way of really knowing who's going to play into and out of stardom over the next three years. For now, it's all guesswork.

Note: All ages are players' seasonal ages for 2026.

Catchers


Adley Rutschman



The Picks: Adley Rutschman (28), Will Smith (31), J.T. Realmuto (35)

Total 2025 ZiPS WAR: 13.7

Realmuto leads all major league catchers in rWAR since 2017 and he's fresh off going 6-for-12 in his first appearance in the World Baseball Classic. So, yeah, he's in.

Realmuto will, however, be firmly on the old side by catcher standards come 2026. And chances are he'll already be in his decline phase. The projections for 2025 peg him for a modest 101 wRC+ and 3.3 WAR.

Smith, on the other hand, should still be in his prime when the next WBC comes around. And what a prime it is. Over the last two years, he's clubbed 49 home runs and is second to only Realmuto in rWAR among American-born catchers.

As for Rutschman, it's not exactly unbelievable that the aforementioned projections call for him to be the best catcher in MLB by 2025. If anything, he's already there. After a slow start upon his promotion to the Baltimore Orioles last season, he ripped off a 151 wRC+ and a catcher-high 5.2 fWAR after June 15.


Corner Infielders


Austin Riley



The Picks: Pete Alonso (31), Austin Riley (29), Gunnar Henderson (25)

Total 2025 ZiPS WAR: 14.1

Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado were at the corners for Team USA in both 2017 and 2023, but both will be longer in the tooth come 2026. Arenado will be pushing 35, while Goldschmidt will be 38.

It's thus not beyond the pale to think that the starting gigs at the hot and cold corners should pass to others. Alonso stands to inherit the latter after backing up Goldschmidt in this year's classic, and he should still be in a prime that's seen him average 45 home runs per 162 games over the last four seasons.

Riley, meanwhile, is on his way to supplanting Arenado as the best American-born third baseman in MLB. He's been a down-ballot MVP contender in each of the last two seasons even as is, and a closer look at his batting metrics reveal a player who's still getting better.

As for Henderson, we like him in part because he has experience at shortstop and second base in addition to third base. But even more so because the 21-year-old has "budding superstar" written all over him. After teasing an uncanny knack for hard contact late in 2022, he's coming into 2023 as our No. 2 prospect.


Middle Infielders


Corey Seager



The Picks: Corey Seager (32), Trea Turner (33), Bobby Witt Jr. (26)

Total 2025 ZiPS WAR: 12.1

Turner, Witt and Tim Anderson were the middle infielders who suited up for Team USA this year, and...yeah, it's hard to do better than that.

But if we have our druthers, Seager would be the guy at shortstop for Team USA in 2026 for one very simple reason: dude can hit. He hit at .306 with a 147 wRC+ across 2020 and 2021 and, no thanks to the shift, he deserved much better results than what he got in 2022.

As for Turner, including him here indeed requires taking it on faith that he'd be willing to play second base in deference to Seager. It's nothing he hasn't done before, however, and his speed and especially his power would certainly be welcome back on Team USA's roster.

Witt is the upside play here. If a very much unpolished version of him could hit 20 home runs and steal 30 bases as a 22-year-old last season, it stands to reason that a more experienced 25-year-old version of him that will exist in 2026 will be even more dangerous.



Outfielders


Aaron Judge



The Picks: Mike Trout (34), Mookie Betts (33), Aaron Judge (34), Bryce Harper (33), Michael Harris II (25), Corbin Carroll (25)

Total 2025 ZiPS: 27.2

Trout has already verbally committed to playing for Team USA again in 2026, so that's one MVP winner who'll be coming back. Betts would make that two if he also re-ups for '26. And for his part, Harper was set to add his own MVP credentials to this year's squad before Tommy John surgery nixed the idea.

As for the 2022 American League MVP and recent slugger of 62 home runs, Judge wouldn't commit to playing in the next WBC to Dan Martin of the New York Post. But it seems fair to say he's interested.

"We'll see when the time comes," Judge said. "It's a fun, amazing event. It captivates the world. You've got kids everywhere staying up late watching these games, and you've got the best players in baseball competing. We'll see where we are when the time comes."

If Team USA can get all four in 2026, it'll have the most star-studded outfield possible. Those four players have seven MVPs between them, not to mention four of the top seven slots for rWAR among outfielders dating back to 2017.

But since Trout, Betts, Harper and Judge will each be in their mid-30s come 2026, some youth would also be in order for Team USA's outfield. Given that his rookie year in 2022 saw him 19 home runs, steal 20 bases and play standout defense, Harris' ceiling appears through the roof. And likewise for Carroll, who has more standout tools than just his MLB-best speed.



Starting Pitchers

Corbin Burnes



The Picks: Corbin Burnes (31), Gerrit Cole (35), Aaron Nola (33), Max Fried (32), Spencer Strider (27), Hunter Greene (26), Andrew Painter (23)

Total 2025 ZiPS WAR: 21.2

This is a minefield, and not just because the best American-born pitchers have tended to give the World Baseball Classic a wide berth. There's also the likelihood that Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom will have aged out of greatness come 2026.

But as bets go, we're fairly sure that Burnes, Cole and Nola will still be chucking it well in three years' time. The first two hold the top spots for strikeouts across the last two seasons, while Nola has his unrivaled command to lean on.

Fried is here because we wanted to pick at least one of MLB's top left-handed starters, and he's been the best of the American-born bunch over the last three seasons. And besides, Carlos Rodón has a well-known injury history and Shane McClanahan's shoulder couldn't even survive a low-pitch-count diet in 2022.

There are also some injuries in Strider's and Greene's histories, to be sure, but both have youth on their side. And, more to the point, pure stuff worth buying stock in. Strider showed what he can do with his by punching out 202 hitters and allowing only 86 hits in 131.2 innings last season, while Greene finally unlocked his explosive fastball late in the year.

Speaking of buying stock, Painter is here because the sky is still the limit for him even after his UCL scare. He's still only 19, and yet he put up a 1.56 ERA in the minors last season and was in the running to make the majors out of camp this year. That's a danged special prospect.



Relief Pitchers


Josh Hader



The Picks: Devin Williams (31), Josh Hader (32), Ryan Helsley (31), Clay Holmes (33), Scott Barlow (33), Pete Fairbanks (32), Alex Vesia (30), Ben Joyce (25)

Total 2025 ZiPS: 4.5

Relief pitching is a notoriously volatile profession, so trying to pick out eight guys who might still be good at it in 2026 might as well be the new definition of insanity.

But as far as guys who are good at it right now, Hader leads all relievers in rWAR dating back to 2017 and he fully recovered from a bad slump in 2022 before the year was even over.

For their parts, Barlow and Williams rank 1-2 among relievers in rWAR since the start of 2020. Helsley, Fairbanks and Holmes are more so here for stuff-related purposes, as the first two rank very highly just in general and the third has that turbo-sinker that would come in handy should Team USA find itself in need of a double play.

As to other skills that would come in handy, let's talk about Vesia. He's not a household name, but he is a guy with the best left-on-left OPS in the majors over the last two seasons.

And then there's the wild card that is Joyce. He comes with a great many questions, but any guy who can throw a 105 mph fastball ought to be able to hack it as a shutdown reliever.



What Team USA's Go-To Lineup Could Look Like


Starting Lineup

RF Mookie Betts (R)
CF Mike Trout (R)
DH Bryce Harper (L)
LF Aaron Judge (R)
SS Corey Seager (L)
1B Pete Alonso (R)
3B Austin Riley (R)
C Adley Rutschman (S)
2B Trea Turner (R)

Starting Pitcher: Corbin Burnes (R)

Closer: Josh Hader (L)


The lineup arguably leans too heavily to the right, but Harper, Seager and Rutschman would bring some level of balance to it. There would likewise be a nice balance of sticks on the bench, as Smith, Realmuto and Witt bat righty and Henderson, Harris and Carroll bat lefty.

On the mound, it's hard to imagine a better guy to lead with than Burnes. Since he moved into the Milwaukee Brewers rotation back on Aug. 18, 2020, he's pitched to a 2.60 ERA while racking up an MLB-high 14.2 fWAR.

Should Team USA find itself with a lead to protect in the ninth inning, Hader would be the guy because, despite his volatility, his big game bona fides are evident in his playoff track record. Of the 72 batters he's faced, he's struck out 33, walked four and allowed 10 hits.

You can rest assured that there will be a Version 2.0 of Team USA's dream team as the actual start of the 2026 World Baseball Classic draws closer. But for now, Version 1.0 has us thinking three words: not bad, huh?

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Kan Ikeda in front of the home dugout at Comerica Park.Allison Farrand/Detroit Tigers



Tigers scout helps Team Japan win World Baseball Classic - MLB.com

Tigers scout gets front-row seat to baseball history

By Jason Beck

March 24th, 2023

LAKELAND, Fla. --

Kan Ikeda was like millions of baseball fans on Tuesday night, glued to a screen watching Shohei Ohtani face Mike Trout with the World Baseball Classic on the line. Unlike millions of fans, the action was right outside his door.

Kan was in the clubhouse for Team Japan during games, in charge of potential replay challenges. Before games, he ran the advance scouting. His job revolves around poring over video. So when Japan’s formidable pitching staff faced hitters, whether from the Major Leagues or from other countries and federations, they were relying largely on Ikeda’s reports.

It was similar to his role with the Tigers as their advance scouting manager -- but with a nation’s baseball hopes on the line.

“After outings, [pitchers] all came in and told me how nervous they were, but they didn't look like it on the mound,” Ikeda said. “Those guys were built for this moment, every single one of them. That was fun to watch.”

With Ohtani and Trout, Angels teammates facing one another, there was no advance report needed. No replay, either. So for a moment, Ikeda soaked it all in.

“Mostly I was just staring at the screen,” he recalled Friday. “‘OK, I'm not going to worry about the keyboard. Just stare at it. Anything close, hit-by-pitch, I'll just tell them to go for it and challenge.’ Well, probably not, because I didn't want to kill the moment.”

Ikeda didn’t have to. When Ohtani unleashed the nasty two-strike slider that set Trout down swinging, Ikeda was a champion, too.

“I watched the last pitch, and all of us went straight to the dugout, hugged the coaching staff and we all went to the field,” he said. “It took a while to hit me, what was actually happening. I didn't even imagine what it would look like to win that.

“This WBC kind of told all of us how big of a deal it is for a lot of people, and certainly for Team Japan. Ohtani said he was dreaming about this when he was a kid. We all grew up watching Ichiro, Daisuke [Matsuzaka] and even [Yu] Darvish back when he was young before he came to the States. We watched all of them at the beginning, where it started. I couldn't guess I could be a part of it.”

While Miguel Cabrera, Eduardo Rodriguez and Javier Báez were in the spotlight playing for Venezuela and Puerto Rico, Ikeda was behind the scenes. Before Hideki Kuriyama managed Team Japan, he managed the Nippon-Ham Fighters, who spent Spring Training in Arizona in 2016. Ikeda, then a Tigers intern, went to Arizona to help the Fighters part-time. Team Japan approached him last year.

Ikeda knew how to scout for Major League series. He didn’t know how and what to scout for Japanese players in an international tournament. So the team brought him to Japan for an exhibition series to find out.

“They let me be in the dugout and talk to players during games, and so I got to know what they look for during games,” Ikeda said. “Because I know what Major League players usually ask, but I had no idea what NPB players ask. That was the beginning.

“After I came back from Japan, after Thanksgiving, after the Winter Meetings, I started looking into it. By then, I knew what they like to know, what they like to see, that kind of stuff. I got a sense of what they wanted me to prepare for them.”

Ikeda made it work, and he learned a lot in the process. When he rejoined the Tigers, manager A.J. Hinch put him in front of the team, with his gold medal, and honored him.

“It was very, very cool,” Ikeda said. “When I left [Tigers camp], I felt bad because I was missing pretty much the whole Spring Training. Our camp started way earlier than everybody else. I felt bad, especially for my co-workers and the coaching staff. I was going to skip a lot of work. I didn't even expect to bring some hardware [back] with me. I didn't even think about that.”

Said Hinch: “It was cool, especially for Kan. It's one thing for the players and coaches, but Kan's an unsung hero with all the work that he does behind the scenes and the interaction with the players, FaceTiming with Miggy. Kan has such a great connection that nobody knows about outside our doors, and it's fun to have him on the center stage."

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Arizona Fall League 2023 season preview: Each MLB team’s prospects to watch

By Melissa Lockard


October baseball is upon us. Your first thought might be of national TV broadcasts, packed ballparks and stadium bunting. But some of the most entertaining October baseball will be played far away from the bright lights of the MLB postseason. Starting Monday, the annual Arizona Fall League will kick off at Cactus League stadiums in the Phoenix area.

The prospect showcase won’t draw big crowds and it will receive minimal TV exposure, but it represents perhaps the best opportunity for fans to see a big star play before he becomes a household name. In one memorable fall in 2011, Bryce Harper, Mike Trout, Brandon Crawford, Joe Panik, Jean Segura and Darin Ruf were all teammates on a star-studded Scottsdale Scorpions roster. Just last year, notable rookies such as Matt McLain, Edouard Julien, Abner Uribe, Zack Gelof, Luis Matos, Jasson Domínguez and Jordan Walker were among those in the AFL making their cases for major-league roles. Games are generally easy to attend and a relative bargain in today’s sporting environment ($12 a ticket for adults and general admission seating). Players are usually accessible and happy to sign autographs and take photos.

Every MLB team sends seven players to the Fall League, though injuries can change those numbers as the season progresses. There are six AFL teams, with representatives from five MLB teams on each roster. The season will run through Nov. 11, ending with a championship game aired on MLB Network. The league tends to be hitter-friendly, both because the warm desert air is conducive to home runs and because teams often shy away from sending their top pitching prospects unless they need to make up innings lost during the regular season to injury.

So whom from your favorite MLB team should you watch for this fall? (You can follow the game action live on the league’s website.) Below are the highlights of each team’s contingent of players, organized by their AFL affiliation.
Glendale Desert Dogs

Home stadium: Camelback Ranch, Glendale

Affiliated teams: Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, Twins, White Sox

Official roster

Dodgers: LHP Ronan Kopp is the most highly regarded Dodgers prospect headed to the Fall League. A 2021 12th-round pick out of a junior college, Kopp is a big-bodied left-hander with a power arsenal that includes an upper-90s fastball and a swing-and-miss slider. He’s done a mix of starting and long relief as a pro, this year starting 21 games and relieving in nine. He posted a 2.99 ERA in 72 1/3 innings in High A, striking out an eye-popping 107 but also walking 50. Their most intriguing position player prospect is Yeiner Fernandez, a 21-year-old who can catch and also play all over the infield (except shortstop). He posted a .360 on-base percentage in 99 games in the High-A Midwest League this season and has struck out just 141 times in 230 career minor-league games.

Mets: Kevin Parada, the Mets’ 2022 first-round pick, headlines their AFL group. The Georgia Tech alum spent most of this season in High A, where he slashed .265/.340/.447 with 11 home runs in 87 games. He struggled in a late-season Double-A audition (.639 OPS) and missed time with a right ankle sprain. He will be looking to control the strike zone better as a hitter after striking out 126 times in 105 regular-season games. He’ll also continue to work on his defense.
Shoulder issues impacted Bryan Mata’s season. (Billie Weiss / Boston Red Sox / Getty Images)

Red Sox: Right-hander Bryan Mata entered the season with a chance to push his way onto the Red Sox’s roster after a 2022 campaign that saw him dominate at Double A and pitch well in Triple A. However, a lat strain limited him to 27 Triple-A innings, during which he posted a 6.33 ERA and walked (30) more than he struck out (28). Still, he’s a potential big-league arm and will be watched closely this fall.

Twins: Outfielder Kala’i Rosario was a 2020 fifth-round pick out of a Hawaiian high school. It’s taken him some time to get going in pro ball, but he found his power stroke this season, hitting 21 homers in 118 games in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League as a 21-year-old. He also walked 75 times but struck out 157 times. He’s a corner-outfield-only type, so he’ll need to continue to show big power. The Twins are also sending pitcher Zach Veen, not to be confused with top Rockies prospect Zac Veen, who starred in the Fall League last year.

White Sox: The White Sox’s contingent may be the most intriguing group on the Glendale roster. It is headlined by shortstop Colson Montgomery, a top-100 prospect who missed half the season but hit .287/.455/.484 in 64 games. Montgomery, the team’s 2021 first-round pick, is a strong defender with a polished approach at the plate for a 21-year-old. The White Sox are also sending left-hander Jake Eder, whom they received in the trade that sent infielder Jake Burger to Miami. Burger has mashed for the Marlins, while Eder struggled in five post-trade starts with Double-A Birmingham. In fairness to Eder, he missed all of the 2022 season after Tommy John surgery in 2021, so some rust was to be expected. He’ll be looking to recapture his pre-surgery form in the AFL.
Mesa Solar Sox

Home stadium: Sloan Park

Affiliated teams: Astros, A’s, Cubs, Orioles, Yankees

Official roster

Astros: The Houston group is highlighted by outfielder Kenedy Corona, a power-speed prospect who hit 20 homers and stole 31 bases in 111 Double-A games this season. Corona, 23, was part of Houston’s return in the deal that sent Jake Marisnick to New York in 2019. The Astros are also sending power-hitting first base prospect Zach Dezenzo, who hit .407 in 31 High-A games to start the season and posted a .257/.339/.486 slash line with 14 homers in 63 Double-A games to end the year. He was a 12th-round pick out of Ohio State last season.

A’s: The A’s group features two of their top infield prospects, 2021 first-round pick Max Muncy and third baseman Brett Harris. Muncy (no relation to the Dodgers’ star) got off to a slow start this season in High A, but hit .302/.387/.446 in 51 games after a promotion to Double A in his age-21 season. He’s already a strong defensive shortstop but needs to cut down on his strikeouts. Harris is a plus defensive third baseman who controls the bat well and has sneaky power. He’ll likely be in the mix for the A’s big-league third base job next spring. Right-hander Jack Perkins is one of their top pitching prospects, though he struggled after a mid-season promotion to Double A. Like Perkins, right-hander Royber Salinas threatens triple digits with his fastball and he has a plus slider. He missed time this season with a right forearm strain.
go-deeper

GO DEEPER

A's assistant GM Billy Owens on the team's 2023 minor-league All-Stars
Kevin Alcántara has a high ceiling. (Matt Kartozian / USA Today)

Cubs: The Cubs may have the most intriguing group on the Mesa roster, with top outfield prospects Kevin Alcántara and Alexander Canario leading the way. Alcántara reached Double A in his age-21 season and posted an .810 OPS in 102 games. He also missed some time with injury. Canario rehabbed from significant shoulder and leg injuries suffered during winter ball in time to appear in 53 minor-league games and make his major-league debut this September. In 57 games between the minors and the majors, he’s homered 10 times. Canario hit 37 homers in 2022. The Cubs are also sending 2021 second-round pick James Triantos, who missed the first six weeks of the season recovering from a torn meniscus suffered in the spring. The infielder posted a .755 OPS in 80 games in High A and finished the season with three games in Double A.

Orioles: The Orioles’ system is loaded, though they aren’t sending any of their highest-profile prospects to the Fall League. Right-hander Carter Baumler has a lively arm but, because of injury, has made just 11 appearances (28 2/3 innings) since being selected in the 2020 fifth round out of high school. Outfielder Billy Cook hit 24 homers and stole 30 bases this season for Double-A Bowie.

Yankees: There are no “Martian-level” prospects in the Yankees’ AFL contingent this year. The most notable name is right-hander Trystan Vrieling, a 2022 third-round pick who will be making his professional debut after missing the regular season with an elbow injury. Right-hander Matt Sauer, a 2017 second-round pick, re-emerged on the prospect radar this season with a solid showing in Double A, holding opposing batters to a .189 batting average. Infielder Caleb Durbin stole 36 bases in 69 games and walked more than he struck out this season and will be making up for time he missed due to injury.
Peoria Javelinas

Home stadium: Peoria Sports Complex

Affiliated teams: Guardians, Mariners, Marlins, Padres, Rays

Official roster

Guardians: Offense-starved at the major-league level, the Guardians will be sending two of their top hitting prospects to the Fall League. First baseman Kyle Manzardo was the team’s biggest trade deadline acquisition, acquired from Tampa Bay in the deal that sent Aaron Civale to the Rays. Manzardo posted a .936 OPS in 21 Triple-A games after the trade and will be looking to position himself as the leading candidate to be Cleveland’s Opening Day first baseman. Outfielder Chase DeLauter was the team’s 2022 first-round pick but played in just 57 games this season due to a fractured foot. He had a .947 OPS in 214 at-bats.

Mariners: The Mariners are also sending an impressive group, including top prospect Harry Ford, infielder Ryan Bliss, first baseman Tyler Locklear and pitchers Jimmy Joyce and Peyton Alford. Ford, who starred in the World Baseball Classic for Great Britain, is a 20-year-old catcher who hit 15 home runs and posted a .410 OBP (103 walks) in 118 High-A games this season. Bliss was the top prospect acquired from Arizona in the Paul Sewald deal. He hit .304 with 23 homers and 54 stolen bases in a season that included a trip to the Futures Game. The right-hander Joyce missed the first two months of the season but had a 2.57 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 70 innings as a starter after his return, finishing the year in Double A. Alford, a left-handed reliever, struck out 71 in 47 2/3 innings in High A.
Harry Ford is one of the top catching prospects in baseball. (Chris Coduto / Getty Images)

Marlins: Infielders Jacob Berry and Nasim Nuñez headline the Marlins’ contingent. A corner infielder out of LSU, Berry was the sixth pick in last year’s draft. He had a disappointing season, posting a .672 OPS and hitting only nine home runs in 107 games. He did hit better once he moved up to Double A but still isn’t performing at the level expected of him. He’s also struggled defensively at third. Nuñez was the Marlins’ 2019 second-round pick out of high school. He spent all season in Double A and hit .224 with a .286 slugging percentage, but did steal 57 bases.

Padres: There are no Jackson Merrill-level prospects in this year’s Padres’ group but they are sending some intriguing, lesser-known players, including infielder Graham Pauley and first baseman Nathan Martorella. Pauley reached Double A in his first full professional season, hitting 23 homers and swiping 22 bases while posting a .931 OPS. Martorella, a first baseman, hit 19 homers in his first full pro season, although he struggled in a late-season stint in Double A. Outfielder Jakob Marsee is also coming off a strong first full season. He posted a .413 OBP in 129 games between High A and Double A while hitting 16 homers and stealing 46 bases.

Rays: Carson Williams is arguably the best defensive shortstop in minor-league baseball and one of the top prospects in the game at the position. A 2021 first-round pick out of high school, Williams hit 23 homers and stole 20 bases in a season played mostly at High A, though he did finish with cameos in Double A and Triple A. A high strikeout rate limits his ability to hit for average, but the power and glove alone make him worth watching. Also worth watching will be catcher Dominic Keegan, the former Vanderbilt backstop who had a breakout 2023, hitting .287/.386/.466 with 13 home runs between two A-ball levels. Right-hander Austin Vernon has 239 strikeouts in 172 2/3 career minor-league innings, but he struggled to limit home runs and walks this season.
Salt River Rafters

Home stadium: Salt River Fields

Affiliated teams: Braves, Diamondbacks, Pirates, Rockies, Tigers

Official roster

Braves: A fourth-round pick last season, David McCabe put together an impressive full-season debut and a strong AFL showing could further cement his prospect status. The switch-hitting third baseman hit 17 home runs, walked 80 times and stole 10 bases while posting an .835 OPS at two A-ball levels this season. Right-hander Darius Vines will be competing for an AFL title but he could be in line for a World Series ring, as he threw 20 1/3 innings for the title-favorite Braves during the regular season. Injuries limited Vines to 69 2/3 innings overall, but he seems likely to remain in the Braves’ pitching plans next season, and he’ll look to add another 15 to 20 innings to his ledger this fall.

Diamondbacks: You like big, beefy sluggers? Then the D-Backs’ AFL group is for you. Arizona is sending two corner-infield sluggers, A.J. Vukovich and Ivan Melendez. Vukovich slugged 24 homers, drove in 96 and swiped 20 bags in Double A this season. Melendez, the former University of Texas star who was drafted in the second round last season, crushed 30 homers in 96 games played at High A and Double A. Both sluggers will be looking to tighten their plate discipline this fall.

Pirates: Jack Brannigan was announced as a two-way player when he was selected in the third round out of Notre Dame last year. He’s focused on being an infielder as a pro, and the early returns have been positive. In 87 games split between A-ball levels, Brannigan hit 19 homers and swiped 24 bases while posting a .915 OPS.

Rockies: Colorado is sending an interesting group that includes top prospects Benny Montgomery and Drew Romo. Montgomery was the eighth pick in the 2021 draft out of high school. He had mediocre results in High A this season (.706 OPS with 10 homers and 18 stolen bases), though he was playing in a pitcher-friendly league and was younger than most of his competition. Romo, one of the game’s top defensive catching prospects, played his age-21 season in Double A and posted a .754 OPS with 13 home runs. He struck out just 67 times in 368 at-bats. The Rockies are also sending utilityman Sterlin Thompson, the 31st pick in last year’s draft out of Florida. Thompson had a strong first full season, posting an .863 OPS with 14 homers and 17 stolen bases and finishing the year in Double A.
Wilmer Flores missed time this season with injury. (Mike Janes / Four Seam Images via Associated Press)

Tigers: Detroit might have the most star-studded group on the Rafters’ roster. They are sending two of the better right-handed starting pitching prospects in the game in Jackson Jobe and Wilmer Flores. Jobe, the third pick in the 2021 draft, was limited by injuries, but when he was on the mound this season, he was outstanding. In 64 innings, he posted a 2.81 ERA with 84 strikeouts and just six walks. He even made his Double-A debut at 20 years old. Flores, 22, also lost time to injury. He had a 3.90 ERA in 80 2/3 Double-A innings with 82 strikeouts and 32 walks.

The Tigers’ contingent also includes infielder Jace Jung, the 12th pick in last year’s draft. Jung, the younger brother of Josh Jung, hit 28 homers in his debut season, which was split between High A and Double A. He’s nearly major-league-ready offensively but still needs to improve defensively at second, which may be his focus this fall. One sleeper Tigers prospect to watch is Hao-Yu Lee, a second baseman acquired from the Phillies in the Michael Lorenzen deal. Injuries limited Lee to 75 games, but he had a .365 OBP in High A at age 20.
Scottsdale Scorpions

Home stadium: Scottsdale Stadium

Affiliated teams: Angels, Cardinals, Giants, Nationals, Phillies

Official roster

Angels: Auburn slugger Sonny DiChiara rose to prominence during the College World Series last year and then went to the Angels in the fifth round. They sent him right to Double A, where he struggled last year and then toiled again in 77 games this season, posting a .682 OPS with 114 strikeouts. The Angels are also sending second baseman Adrian Placencia, who signed for six figures out of the Dominican Republic in 2019. Placencia had just a .644 OPS this season, which he spent mostly at High A but finished in Double A. Still, his bat-to-ball skills and speed make him one to watch.

Cardinals: Between the regular season and postseason, Victor Scott II stole 95 bases. This AFL season should get him over 100 for the year. The West Virginia alum is one of the most dynamic base runners in the minors and he should make Scottsdale games fun to watch. On the pitching side, the Cardinals will send left-hander Cooper Hjerpe, who was their first-round pick last year but was limited to 41 innings because of injury. He had a 3.51 ERA with a 51:25 K:BB at the High-A level. 2020 third-rounder Tekoah Roby threw only 58 1/3 innings because of injury but the 21-year-old acquired in the Jordan Montgomery deal has outstanding secondary pitches and a fastball that sits in the mid-90s.
Two-way player Reggie Crawford had only 18 at-bats during the regular season. (Godofredo A. Vásquez / Associated Press)

Giants: The Giants are sending two recent first-round picks — Will Bednar (2021) and Reggie Crawford (2022) — though they will be focusing on different things. Bednar needs innings after he missed virtually the entire season with a stress reaction in his back, an injury that also cut short his AFL stint last fall. Back problems have dogged him the past two seasons. Crawford, a two-way player, focused mostly on pitching during the regular season, but he’ll be at the Fall League as a hitter, playing some first base and DHing. The Giants are sending a few other intriguing arms, including lefties Seth Lonsway and Jack Choate and righties Marques Johnson and Hayden Wynja.

Nationals: The headliner in the Nationals’ group is Robert Hassell III, one of the top prospects they acquired from San Diego in the Juan Soto deal. The 2020 eighth-overall pick played most of this season in Double A, where he had a disappointing .225/.317/.324 slash line with 152 strikeouts in 106 games. Third baseman Trey Lipscomb had a .748 OPS in 80 games at Double A, which was an improvement over his numbers in High A to start the season. Overall, the former Tennessee star hit .272 with 14 homers in his first full professional season.

Phillies: Gabriel Rincones Jr. leads the Phillies’ group after a strong full-season debut in which he posted a .351 OBP and swiped 32 bases in 120 games at two A-ball levels. He also hit 15 homers and will be working to trim his strikeout rate. Catcher Caleb Ricketts missed two months with an injury but he hit .270 in his first full pro season. After missing nearly all of the 2022 season, utilityman Matt Kroon had a breakout 2023, posting a .326/.399/.526 slash line in 97 games, most in Double A. He could attract some Rule 5 attention this winter if he plays well in the fall.
Surprise Saguaros

Home stadium: Surprise Stadium

Affiliated teams: Blue Jays, Brewers, Rangers, Reds, Royals

Official roster

Blue Jays: All eyes will be on left-hander Ricky Tiedemann, who is one of the top young pitching prospects in the game. Tiedemann missed time with a biceps strain this season, so the Blue Jays will be looking for him to add as many innings as possible after he threw 44 during the regular season. He spent the bulk of his age-20 season in Double A. 2020 second-round pick CJ Van Eyk will also be making up for lost innings after only throwing 34 1/3 this season and missing all of the 2022 season following Tommy John surgery. Infielder Damiano Palmegiani hit 23 homers and posted an .842 OPS between Double A and Triple A this season and is an intriguing power prospect. Speedster Dasan Brown will be at the AFL looking to improve his contact rate so he can better take advantage of his plus speed.

Brewers: Eric Brown Jr., the Brewers’ 2022 first-round pick, headlines their group. He will be looking to make up at-bats after appearing in just 72 games this season. Brown still stole 36 bases and he posted a solid .358 OBP, though his power numbers slipped from his pro debut season.
Mitch Bratt pitching in the World Baseball Classic. (Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)

Rangers: Left-hander Mitch Bratt was introduced to the world this spring when he had a rough first inning pitching for Team Canada against Team USA in the WBC. He went on to have a strong, though injury-shortened, season in High A as a 19-year-old, posting a 3.54 ERA in 61 innings with a 73:17 K:BB. He’ll be looking to add to that innings total. Infielder Cameron Cauley hit 12 homers and stole 36 bases at two A-ball levels as a 20-year-old this season.

Reds: The Reds are sending a relatively low-profile group of prospects to the Fall League. Reliever Zach Maxwell throws gas and he struck out 96 in 61 1/3 relief innings in A-ball this season, though he struggled with command. Lefty Bryce Hubbart was a third-round pick last year out of Florida State but struggled in 45 1/3 innings in Low A. Catcher Michael Trautwein is a strong defensive catcher who reached base at a .359 clip between High A and Double A.

Royals: Infielder Nick Loftin made his major-league debut this season, but he will keep playing into October in the Fall League. A 2020 first-round pick, Loftin missed time with injury but had a .788 OPS with 14 home runs in 82 Triple-A games. He’s hit well in limited big-league appearances since making his debut on Sept. 1. The Royals will also get a longer look at their 2022 first-round pick, Gavin Cross, an outfielder who struggled this season in 96 games, hitting .203 with a .298 OBP and 12 home runs. He did steal 23 bases. Peyton Wilson, an infielder who was a second-round pick in 2021, will be looking to build off a solid season in Double A in which he hit .286/.366/.411 with six homers and 19 stolen bases.

Good be wrong but I do not expect Manzardo to be in Cleveland on opening day. Personally I would like to see Manzardo, Valera, and DeLauter in the dugout on Opening day. DeLauter is a very good defensive player who can hold his own in center or right field.

Valera had a terrible season in 2023; I cannot see him making the team until he proves himself in AAA. DeLauter has just touched on AA but he could move very fast