Arozarena, Kirk highlight talented Mexico roster

After early exits in every of the earlier two World Baseball Classics, Mexico is again in 2023 with a talent-laden roster that might have the nation poised for its deepest WBC run but.

With newcomers corresponding to Julio Urías, Alejandro Kirk, Randy Arozarena, Rowdy Tellez, Patrick Sandoval and Taijuan Walker becoming a member of the staff, Mexico must be a formidable foe when the 2023 World Baseball Classic will get underway in March.

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of Team Mexico. Within every place, gamers are listed in alphabetical order, with any affiliation to an MLB group famous in parentheses.

Catchers: Austin Barnes (Dodgers), Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays)

One of three Dodgers gamers on Mexico’s roster, Barnes has spent his complete profession with Los Angeles after making his MLB debut in 2015. The veteran backstop gained a World Series title with the staff in 2020.

Kirk earned his first All-Star look in 2022, beginning behind the plate for the American League. The 24-year-old gained a Silver Slugger Award after hitting .285 with 14 homers and a .786 OPS over 139 video games for the Blue Jays.

Infielders: Jonathan Aranda (Rays), Joey Meneses (Nationals), Isaac Paredes (Rays), Rowdy Tellez (Brewers), Alan Trejo (Rockies), Luis Urías (Brewers), Roberto Valenzuela

After enjoying for Mexico within the 2017 World Baseball Classic, Luis Urías might be joined by Brewers teammate Tellez, who popped a career-high 35 dwelling runs for Milwaukee in 2022. Tellez is one among a number of first-base choices for Mexico, together with Aranda and Meneses. Paredes additionally noticed time at first base for the Rays in 2022.

It might be attention-grabbing to see how Meneses performs in his WBC debut after making his long-awaited huge league debut final season and placing up spectacular numbers. The 30-year-old Meneses — who hung out enjoying within the Minors, Japan and Mexico earlier than getting the decision to the large leagues — hit .324 with 13 homers and a .930 OPS over 56 video games for Washington.

Outfielders: Randy Arozarena (Rays), Jose Cardona, Jarren Duran (Red Sox), Alek Thomas (D-backs), Alex Verdugo (Red Sox)

Part of a heavy Rays contingent on Team Mexico, Arozarena is one other participant making his WBC debut. Though he was born in Cuba, Arozarena defected from the nation as a 19-year-old in 2015 and settled in Mexico. He rose to prominence throughout the 2020 postseason, setting MLB playoff data for homers (10) and hits (29). His encore? Winning the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2021. He grew to become a Mexican citizen in 2022.

Mexico’s different 4 outfield choices all have MLB expertise, too, none extra so than Verdugo, who has performed 509 video games within the Majors for the Dodgers and Red Sox and owns a .286/.341/.431 slash with 44 homers in his profession. He performed for Team Mexico throughout the 2017 WBC as nicely.

Pitchers: Erubiel Armenta (Phillies)^, Javier Assad (Cubs), Luis Cessa (Reds), Jesus Cruz (Phillies), Giovanny Gallegos (Cardinals), Adrian Martinez (A’s), Gerardo Reyes (Angels), Wilmer Rios, JoJo Romero (Cardinals)^, Jake Sanchez (Padres), Patrick Sandoval (Angels)^, Julio Urías (Dodgers)^, José Urquidy (Astros), César Vargas, Taijuan Walker (Phillies), Samuel Zazueta^

^denotes left-handed pitcher

Walker and Urquidy are among the many notable beginning choices for Team Mexico on this 12 months’s Classic. Walker, an All-Star with the Mets in 2021, has posted a profession 3.89 ERA over 898 innings within the Majors. Urquidy doesn’t have as a lot expertise as Walker, however he has made appearances in three World Series for the Astros and owns a profession 3.74 ERA over 342 innings within the common season.

Mexico figures to lean on Gallegos within the late innings, with the right-hander having notched a 2.84 ERA with 33 saves for the Cardinals over the previous 4 seasons. He made one look for Mexico within the 2017 WBC. Cessa is one other bullpen arm on the roster with vital MLB expertise.

After following up a 20-win season with an NL-leading 2.16 ERA and a third-place end within the NL Cy Young Award voting final 12 months, Urías (unrelated to Luis) is anticipated to entrance Team Mexico’s beginning workers within the 2023 Classic. Sandoval, who has recorded a 3.17 ERA for the Angels over the previous two seasons, offers Mexico one other spectacular possibility from the left aspect.