By: Owen Cooper

Times seem to be dark in the sports world currently. All of 2020’s biggest events have been pushed back or even completely cancelled. Even though the qualifiers for lesser known baseball countries have been suspended, the 2021 World Baseball Classic has yet to be touched. Assuming it can still be played next year, it’s time to speculate what some of the rosters could look like if they were made up of the MLB’s best players. These rosters are purely speculation, as players haven’t confirmed their participation yet. 

USA:

The reigning champions of the tournament are going to look very different from how they looked last time, when they were led by Adam Jones, Ian Kinsler, and Andrew McCutchen, but next year’s team might be even stronger. 

Potential Roster Spots:

C: JT Realmuto, Mitch Garver, Buster Posey

1B: Pete Alonso, Paul Goldschmidt

2B: DJ Lemahieu, Whit Merrifield

3B: Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant

SS: Alex Bregman, Trevor Story

OF: Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Christian Yelich

SP: Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, Walker Buehler, Blake Snell, Mike Clevinger

The Pen: Kirby Yates, Josh Hader, Tommy Kahnle, Brad Hand, Chad Green, Will Smith, Andrew Miller

Puerto Rico:

They came in second place last time out, and they’re looking to rebound with their first championship. They have a few weak spots in their roster where they might have to dip into their national teams, but their depth on the left side of the infield leaves them with a dangerous team with a lot of options. Since 2017, Carlos Beltran, Mike Avilas, Angel Pagan, and Kennys Vargas have all faded out of baseball. 

Potential Roster Spots:

C: Yadi Molina, Chrisitan Vazquez, Roberto Perez

1B: Kike Hernandez, Kennys Vargas

2B: Javier Baez, Isan Diaz

SS: Francisco Lindor

3B: Carlos Correa, Christian Colon

OF: Eddie Rosario, Victor Caratini, Rene Rivera

SP: Jose Berrios, Hector Santiago, Seth Lugo, Jorge Lopez, Dereck Rodriguez

The Pen: Edwin Diaz, Alex Claudio, Joe Jimenez, Jose De Leon, Emilio Pagan

Dominican Republic:

The DR won the whole thing back in 2013, but disappointed their fans with their 2017 performance. They always have a loaded roster, and they are looking to bounce back strong. They might have the strongest roster of any country headed into the WBC. Look out for former outfielder Jose Bautista who reportedly is trying out to make their bullpen. 

Potential Roster Spots:

C: Gary Sanchez, Welington Castillo, Francisco Mejia

1B: Carlos Santana, Edwin Encarnacion, Miguel Sano

2B: Robinson Cano, Starlin Castro, Johnathan Villar

3B: Jose Ramirez, Rafael Devers

SS: Fernando Tatis Jr., Jorge Polanco

OF: Nelson Cruz, Eloy Jimenez, Ramon Laureano, Ketel Marte, Starling Marte, Juan Soto

SP: Sandy Alcantara, Luis Castillo, Johnny Cueto, Seranthony Dominguez, Domingo German

The Pen: Fernando Rodney, Fernando Abad, Pedro Baez, Jose Bautista, Alex Colome, Hector Neris, Carlos Martinez

Venezuela: 

Venezuela is another country with a deep talent pool. They could assemble a roster of highly successful MLB players. Despite their extraordinary talent, they have yet to find success in the WBC. Maybe 2021 is their year. 

Potential Roster Spots:

C: Willson Contreras, Robinson Chirinos, Wilson Ramos

1B: Miguel Cabrera, Marwin Gonzalez

2B: Jose Altuve, Cesar Hernandez

3B: Eugenio Suarez, Eduardo Escobar

SS: Gleyber Torres, Elvis Andrus, Freddy Galvis

OF: Ronald Acuna Jr., Ender Inciarte, Jose Martinez, Gerardo Parra, David Peralta, 

SP: Carlos Carrasco, Brusdar Graterol, German Marquez, Felix Hernandez, Eduardo Rodriguez

The Pen: Jose Alvarado, Yonny Chirinos, Yusmeiro Petit, Hector Rondon

Major League Baseball players come from all over the world, but many of the other teams in the WBC fill their rosters with players from leagues on their own soil. Cuban born players that came to America have not been allowed to represent their countries in the past. Other countries not listed above have handfuls of talented MLB players going to represent them. Those countries include:

The Netherlands: 

Kenley Jansen, Didi Gregorius, Xander Bogaerts, Andrelton Simmons, Johnathan Schoop

Colombia:

Gio Urshela, Jose Quintana, Julio Teheran, Oscar Mercado, Jorge Alfaro