CLEVELAND, OH (92.3 THE FAN) - Baseball’s stars will represent their countries and compete from March 8th through March 21st in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
The Cleveland Guardians, who begin their spring training season on February 25th, will have four players participate in the WBC.
2022 All-Star and Gold Glove winner Andrés Giménez is on the Venezuela roster. The 24-year-old infielder, who this off-season played for Cardenales de Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League, joins a loaded team including Miguel Cabrera, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Ranger Suarez.
Up north, Team Canada has two Guardians joining the squad. Pitcher Cal Quantrill and catcher Bo Naylor.
Naylor at GuardsFest in January was hoping for the invitation and he along with the Cleveland coaches feel it will be beneficial for his development.
“ We have prepared ahead of time… I think I will be in a good spot for it, and I think the games will only help leading up to the season.”
Quantrill, who agreed to a $5.5 million deal for 2023 to avoid arbitration, will be one of 17 pitchers playing for the Great White North.
For the Dominican Republic, which has a star-studded roster, Guardians reliever Enyel de Los Santos will be in the bullpen. Notably stars Jose Ramirez and Emmanuel Clase are not on the roster.
A few Guardians prospects also will be showcased. Cade Smith will play for Canada, Josh Wolf is on Team Israel, and Dayan Frias will suit up for Colombia.
For Team USA, Mike Trout, who declined in 2017, will try and lead the United States to repeat as WBC champions in 2023.
The World Baseball Classic will have its fifth iteration. It was originally scheduled for 2021, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.