2013 WBC Preview

       In March of this year, MLB will hold its 3rd ever World Baseball Classic and its first in 4 years (from now on, it will go on a 4-year rotation). There will be plenty of new talent, including 3 Yankees, 1 current Met, and a very recent Met in R.A. Dickey.
       Here's a quick preview at each team:

1. Australia
       There's no one on this roster that really pops out at you, as Australia isn't very much of a baseball country. Don't expect them to be a team that will contend with the big boys.

 2. Brazil
        A team with a couple of older guys and a fairly young pitching staff. No big names, but Brazil is one of my "surprise" teams for this tournament.

3. Canada
       This is a squad with a lot of individual talent. There's John Axford, Bret Lawrie, Justin Morneau, and Russel Martin. However, Joey Votto is not on this roster which could end up hurting them in the long run.

4. China
       Royals pitcher Bruce Chen will likely be the ace of this otherwise no-name China team. However, China is one of those countries that has improved within the past few years or so and will always be in the conversation.

5. Chinese Taipei
       This is a country that has faced Major League competition within the past few years in certain All Star series. The only name familiar to most American baseball fans is former Yankee Chein-Ming Wang. This will be a squad that will contend.

6. Cuba
       Cuba has always been a team that is tough to beat with talent like Aroldis Chapman and Yoenis Cespedes. With no Major League talent on the WBC roster, however, the Cubans will have to rely on some young and athletic stars to come up big if they want a shot at the title.

7. Dominican Republic
       Probably one of if not the most stacked lineup in the Classic. A staff  with pitchers like Octavio Dotel, Joel Peralta, and Fernando Rodney. An infield of Aybar, Cano, Encarnacion, Reyes, Ramirez, Beltre, and Tejada. An outfield with Melky Cabrera and Nelson Cruz. The Dominican team can and WILL be in the Championship game.

8. Italy
       The Italian national team is the most successful European teams in recent years. They have young talent like Nick Punto and Yankee C Francisco Cervelli. This is a young team that may surprise people.

9. Japan
       Japanese superstars Hiroki Kuroda and Ichiro (both Yankees) will sit out this time around, but Japan does have veteran and former Met Kazuo Matsui, who will head the infield for this team, which won the first two Classics. They are definitely a quick squad, as the biggest person is only 200 pounds! Expect Japan to get past the first round and have a good shot at the Final Four.

10. Netherlands
         The Netherlands have a few Major Leaguers in infielders Andrelton Simmons and Roger Bernandina and Braves pitcher Jair Jurjjens. They have some good talent young and old which should balance itself out. They should be a team that will not go down easy.

11. Korea
         Korea currently has 17 players signed to pro contracts, including Reds OF Shin-Soo Choo, but there are no names that pop out at you. However, they are always a pesky team. Expect this team to be tough to beat.

12. Mexico
       This is another team that should go far. A pitching staff with Romo, Gonzales Gallardo, Estrada, Ayala, and Aceves. Adrian Gonzalez, Ramiro Pena, and Danny Espinosa help make up a potent infield. And the outfield has veteran Karem Garcia. However, they play in a tough division with the U.S., Italy, and Canada. So, if they want to get past the first Group Round, it won't be easy.

13. Puerto Rico
       The two most powerful parts of this roster are the catcher position and the outfield. Both Jose and Yadier Molina will participate in the tournament, and the outfield includes former Met teammates Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan. That plus a strong pitching staff will make for a contender.

14. Spain
        This is a young team that only made it to the big tournament by winning their qualifier. They probably won't be going for the title this time around.

15. United States
        This roster is probably the strongest one the U.S. has ever had in the WBC. The pitching staff has a strong relief core with Jeremy Affeldt, Heath Bell, and Craig Kimbrell and a starting staff that includes reigning Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, Kris Medlen, and Ryan Vogelsong. They have a big name infield as well with Arrencebia, Lucroy, Mauer, Bloomquist, Phillips, Rollins, Teixeira, Wright, and Zobrist. Then comes a powerful outfield with Ryan Braun, Adam Jones, Giancarlo Stanton, and Shane Victorino. This team is going to the FINALS!!!

16, Venezuela
            Quite a few big names on this roster with the ace of the staff being Mariners' Felix Hernandez and a strong infield of Elvis Andrus, Asdrubal Cabrera, Miguel Cabrera, Pablo Sandoval, and Marco Scutaro. They will be a good team.

My round-by-round predictions:

ROUND 1

Group A:
1. Japan advances to 1 seed pool
2. Cuba advances to 2 seed pool

Group B:
1. Korea advances to 1 seed pool
2. Chinese Taipei advances to 2 seed pool

Group C:
1. Venezuela advances to 1 seed pool
2. Dominican Republic advances to 2 seed pool

Group D:
1. United States advances to 1 seed pool
2. Mexico advances to 2 seed pool

ROUND 2

Group 1:
1. United States advances to Final Four
2. Venezuela advances to Final Four

Group 2:
1. Mexico advances to Final Four
2. Dominican Republic advances to Final Four

FINAL ROUND

Final Four:
1. United States advances to Championship
2. Dominican Republic advances to Championship

Championship:
1. United States defeats Dominican Republic to win Championship