Although it is about a year away I was just thinking about the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The random thought came to my head because I wondered why the USA never puts on a good showing in the WBC. We have a lot of great players that are born here and yet it seems we never send the cream of the crop players. I know it is by spring training and everyone is cautious of injuries but where is the sense of pride toward our country. This is America’s pastime, we invented this game. Yes, there are many very talented players from countries like the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Japan. Those countries always tend to send their better players and we usually don’t send the talent to match those teams.
I wondered if I could have all USA baseball players at my disposable, similar to the way soccer does for their international games, who would be on my team. Well not only did I make a graphic but I have reasons why and other potential candidates to fill these positions.
Catcher – As much as I hate to admit this being a Dodger fan but the clear choice here has to be Buster Posey. He is the best hitting catcher in the league and he can hit pretty much anywhere in the lineup. Not only is he a great power hitter, but he can hit for average as well. Mike Napoli and Brian McCann are also options but I don’t think they bring the same level of play that Posey can.
First Base – Another one that I don’t like to admit as a Dodger fan but I think Mark Trumbo would be another great choice. He is a great power hitter and thru 111 games this season he has matched his home run total (29) from last year playing 149 games, plus his BA. is 30 points higher, his OBP. is 45 points higher, and his SLG. is 66 points higher. Prince Fielder and Mark Teixeira are other options but Teixeira is getting a little older and Fielder is a defensive liability he could be more of a mix in the DH category.
Second Base – This one is a toss-up because I think both are a great choice but it has to be either Ian Kinsler or Dustin Pedroia. Kinsler and Pedroia are both great players, they both have speed and power and you wouldn’t really go wrong with either one. While neither one is having a career best type of season they’re still solid all-around and are less of a defensive liability than Dan Uggla. Young upstart Jason Kipnis might be able to throw his name into the hat with his great season for the underachieving Cleveland Indians. Second base isn’t deep with talent outside of these few players and the best second baseman in the league, Robinson Cano, who would play for the Dominican Republic.
Shortstop – Troy Tulowitzki has to be the choice here despite being hurt and playing for a Rockies team that hasn’t put up much of a fight this year. The talent pool at shortstop isn’t what it once was when the best three American shortstops were Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra and Alex Rodriguez (even though A-Rod chose to play for the Dominican a few years back). JJ Hardy is also another great option but when Tulowitzki is healthy he is an MVP-caliber player that averages around 30 HR and 100 RBI.
Third Base – Another position with a few candidates you can choose from, Evan Longoria, David Wright or Ryan Zimmerman. I really couldn’t make up my mind on this one but I have to go with Longoria because I think all-around he is a better player than Wright and Zimmerman. Zimmerman is great defensively and Wright is great offensively, but Longoria is a Gold Glove third baseman and has put up over 30 HR and 100 RBI in a season. Although he has been hurt this season, he is still a great player and would fit nicely in the middle of the lineup.
Outfield – This one is a little easier and baseball analysts would probably for the most part agree that it would have to be Matt Kemp, Andrew McCutchen and Mike Trout. These guys are all five-tool players that can bat anywhere in the top of the line-up and cover almost every inch of the outfield. I don’t think there’s a trio of outfielders that would be a better fit. Josh Hamilton, Jay Bruce, Ryan Braun, Adam Jones and Andre Ethier are good fits and could be used as backups, but they do not possess the same skill set of the Kemp-McCutchen-Trout trio. Any one member of this trio is a legitimate triple-crown candidate and should average 30 HR and 30 SB every season. In a few years we might be throwing Bryce Harper’s name in the mix but as of now he is going to have to wait a little while besides he’s only 20.
Designated hitter – Josh Hamilton or Ryan Braun are probably two best players not on this list and I think you take them both and use them based on the handedness of the opposing pitcher. The other can be used as a pinch hitter and a backup outfielder but these guys need to be there in the middle of the lineup.
Starting Pitching – Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, Jared Weaver, Matt Cain and David Price. I would have voted for Stephen Strasburg but I feel that the limitations put on how many innings he can throw take him right out of the mix as for the other pitchers, not much has to be said about the others, what they’ve done pretty much speaks for itself.
Relief Pitching – I like the two young relievers from Atlanta Johnny Venters and Craig Kimbrel. Mitchell Boggs, Sean Burnett and Randy Choate are great setup men to have. Closers Jim Johnson, Chris Perez, and JoelHanrahan would fill out the back end of the bullpen. Kimbrel would probably be the best choice as the closer considering he has an ERA of 1.20, 31-33 in save opportunities, and opponents are batting .120 against him.
Starting Pitching – Clayton Kershaw, Justin Verlander, Jared Weaver, Matt Cain and David Price. I would have voted for Stephen Strasburg but I feel that the limitations put on how many innings he can throw take him right out of the mix as for the other pitchers, not much has to be said about the others, what they’ve done pretty much speaks for itself.
Relief Pitching – I like the two young relievers from Atlanta Johnny Venters and Craig Kimbrel. Mitchell Boggs, Sean Burnett and Randy Choate are great setup men to have. Closers Jim Johnson, Chris Perez, and JoelHanrahan would fill out the back end of the bullpen. Kimbrel would probably be the best choice as the closer considering he has an ERA of 1.20, 31-33 in save opportunities, and opponents are batting .120 against him.
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