Philadelphia Phillies: Six Phillies Named to World Baseball Classic Rosters
Six players expected to make the Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day roster were named to play for their respective countries in the World Baseball Classic.
The WBC will take place during the month of March. So it will cause these players to miss some time in Spring Training. As well as the six players who are likely to make the team, four players in the Philadelphia Phillies system were also named to rosters in the WBC.
Canada
Prospect Nick Pivetta was named to the Canadian roster. Pivetta is a right-handed pitcher and is listed as the No. 17 prospect on the Phillies top 30 according to MLBPipeline. Pivetta joins a team led by Atlanta Brave’s first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Columbia
The biggest prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies who is playing in the WBC is Jorge Alfaro. Alfaro is ranked in the top 100 of all prospects according to MLBPipeline and is the No. 4 in the Phillies system. Alfaro has a shot at starting for the Colombian team. The team itself lacks big name talent like other teams but is headlined by Brave’s starter Julio Teheran.
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Dominican Republic
The first member of the current Phillies to head to the WBC is Hector Neris. The potential closer for the team in 2017 joins a loaded Dominican team. He will be playing alongside superstars like Jose Bautista and Manny Machado.
Israel
Right-handed pitching prospect Kenny Koplove joins team Israel. Koplove finished the 2016 season on the Williamsport Crosscutters and is not high on any prospect lists. Israel is one of the weaker teams in the tournament. Ike Davis and Scott Feldman are the two biggest names.
Italy
Left-handed pitching prospect Nick Fanti was selected to play for the Italian team. Fanti spent two years playing in the Gulf Coast League. But his second stint was so dominant that he could appear on mid-season lists if he performs well against higher levels of competition. Italy is another weak team. The Italians have just five players on current 40-man rosters, headlined by the New York Mets Brandon Nimmo.
United States
Free agent acquisition Pat Neshek is the lone Phillie on the USA roster. The reliever will also be in the battle with Neris and another Phillie in the WBC for the closing role in 2017. The U.S. team is expected to compete for the title. The roster is loaded with all-stars like Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, and Andrew McCutchen.
Venezuela
The most represented team for the Philadelphia Phillies in the WBC is Venezuela. The Phillies are sending four players to play for the Venezuelans, all look like locks for the Opening Day roster. The two position players that are going are center fielder Odubel Herrera and shortstop Freddy Galvis. Herrera and Galvis are solidified as starters for at least the beginning of the season. (Looking at you J.P.)
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Joining them are two relievers, both with a chance to win the closing job from Neris or Neshek, Jeanmar Gomez, and Edubray Ramos. Gomez was the closer for a majority of the 2016 season, and Ramos added depth to the bullpen late in the season. Venezuela could be a dark horse team to win the entire WBC, led by Jose Altuve and Miguel Cabrera.