The 2023 World Baseball Classic, the fifth edition of the international baseball tournament organized by MLB, is already underway.
The Netherlands won the first game of the event, against Cuba, and Panama defeated Chinese Taipei, 12-5, in the second game.
Some of the most attractive games will occur in the next few days.
Every MLB team sent players to the event, but the Seattle Mariners are among the squads with the most representatives in play.
Best of luck to our guys in the #WorldBaseballClassic! 🇩🇴🇻🇪🇨🇦🇮🇹🇵🇦🇬🇧🇳🇮🇦🇺
Check out the full WBC schedule ➡️ https://t.co/0CcButuQLW pic.twitter.com/kXiXzJQZ92
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) March 8, 2023
They are sending a lot of talent to the Dominican Republic national baseball team – one of the favorites to win it all – with star outfielders Julio Rodriguez and Teoscar Hernandez, plus reliever Diego Castillo.
Third baseman Eugenio Suarez will represent the Mariners on Team Venezuela, while talented young pitcher Matt Brash will try to contribute to Canada’s chances.
Matt Festa will be playing for Italy, and Jose Caballero will be doing the same for Panama.
One of the Mariners’ best prospects, catcher Harry Ford, will be in uniform (and in the lineup, in all likelihood) for Great Britain, while Milkar Perez is going to make history as a member of Nicaragua, a first-time participant in the WBC.
Last but not least, Australia’s Blake Townsend will also play in the fifth Classic.
The Mariners will be following all of them closely, not only to monitor potential injuries, but also things like playing time, at-bats, and innings.
Hopefully all MLB organizations understand that their players want and need to represent their countries in the WBC for the tournament to really take off.
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