MLB’s top prospects came to play in the World Baseball Classic
We love the World Baseball Classic due to the big-name stars: Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Randy Arozarena are amongst those that have stood out, as anticipated.
It’s controversial, nonetheless, that one of many high storylines of the WBC to date has been the play of the multitude of prospects who have been included on their nation’s roster. From gamers on the Top 100 to others on their group’s Top 30 and even unranked gems, the game’s future has been on full show.
With the entire ranked prospects now eradicated from the event, this is a glance again at among the standouts.
Harry Ford turns into royalty
Great Britain’s house run celebration — involving the presentation of a crown and gown — holds no official weight within the United Kingdom, however Harry Ford could also be on his approach to truly turning into knighted sooner or later.
One of three Top 100 prospects collaborating within the event, Ford (No. 49) led his squad with two house runs and a 1.246 OPS in 4 video games. That got here on the heels of his WBC Qualifiers efficiency final September, the place he hit three lengthy balls in as many video games.
Ford’s play made him a fan favourite throughout the pond, setting him as much as be one to look at within the 2026 version of the Classic — which Great Britain certified for when the United States beat Colombia on the ultimate day of Pool D play and ensured the Brits wouldn’t end final within the group. At that time, the Mariners’ high prospect ought to have substantial Major League time below his belt.
Canada’s younger hitters step up
No staff entered the WBC rostering extra prospects than Canada, which boasted seven gamers ranked on a staff Top 30 record. Leading the pack was Bo Naylor, the Guardians backstop who ranks No. 64 on the Top 100.
The Canadians’ six house runs have been essentially the most in pool play among the many eight groups based mostly within the United States. Surprising? Yes. Even extra stunning — none got here off the bats of highly effective Major Leaguers Freddie Freeman and Tyler O’Neill. Instead, 5 of the six have been hit by ranked prospects: two by Edouard Julien (Twins No. 4) and one every by Naylor, Owen Caissie (Cubs No. 13) and Otto Lopez (Blue Jays No. 14).
Julien went deep on the primary pitch of his first plate look within the event, an indication of issues to come back. Each part of his triple slash — .538/.667/1.154 — led all prospects in pool play, and his 1.821 OPS was tops in the complete event on the level of Canada’s elimination.
Other notable offensive performances
The highest ranked of the three Top 100 prospects within the WBC, Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick (No. 30), hit a powerful .329/.421/.556 with three doubles in 4 group video games to guide Italy out of Pool A and into the quarterfinals, the place the staff fell to Japan.
Zuñiga introduces himself to the world
Eyebrows could have been raised when the Cardinals signed right-hander Guillermo Zuñiga to a Major League contract in December. After all, this was a pitcher who posted a 4.77 ERA in 2022 at Double-A — a stage he was repeating.
It took about two pitches into Zuñiga’s first outing for Colombia for the signing to make sense. The 24-year-old hit 100 mph 10 instances, topping out at 102 throughout that recreation towards Mexico during which he locked down the save. Between his two appearances Zuñiga struck out six of the 11 batters he confronted, together with Trout and Paul Goldschmidt in Colombia’s ultimate recreation in Pool C.
His upward trajectory earned him a spot on St. Louis’ Top 30 when house opened up in the course of the event.
Strong statlines on the mound
Luis Ortiz (Pirates No. 8), Dominican Republic: 1 G, 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 Okay
Carlos Rodriguez (Brewers No. 13), Nicaragua: 1 GS, 4 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 Okay
Jaydenn Estanista (Phillies No. 27), Netherlands: 1 GS, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 Okay
Luis De Avila (Braves No. 30), Colombia: 1 GS, 1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 Okay
Heartwarming moments
Some of the perfect moments from the opening spherical of the event didn’t come from ranked prospects. In truth, one among them wasn’t even a Minor League participant till after his WBC debut.
Duque Hebbert entered the WBC as a 21-year-old reliever for Nicaragua with none expertise in affiliated baseball. After hanging out three of the Dominican Republic’s most-feared hitters — Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez and Rafael Devers — Hebbert left the stadium that evening as the most recent member of the Detroit Tigers group. Following the outing, a scout tracked him down and provided him a contract on the spot.
On the opposite aspect of the world, in Pool A in Taiwan, Joe LaSorsa knew a factor or two about having one thing to show. An 18th-round choose of the Rays in 2019, the left-hander had solely reached Double-A for the primary time final season. But pitching for Italy, within the recreation towards the Netherlands with the bases loaded within the sixth, LaSorsa matched the second in addition to anybody might.
After fanning former Major Leaguer Roger Bernadina to strand three runners, LaSorsa let loose a show of emotion that is probably not matched for the remainder of the event.
