The World Baseball Classic is right around the corner and the 20 teams from around the world are ready to take the stage. We are seeing more and more players announce their commitment to joining the World Baseball Classic after an electric World Cup that took place a couple months ago. Team Dominican Republic hasn’t won the WBC since 2013. However, the Dominican Republic’s lineup put together this year has so much talent that they may be the best we have ever seen.
Team USA took home the championship in 2017 in the most recent WBC. USA’s lineup is looking stronger than ever with players like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, and Bryce Harper all in the same lineup. However, the Dominican Republic team is straight up scary. Per Sports Illustrated, the Dominican lineup will look like:
Team Dominican Republic’s Lineup
1. CF Julio Rodriguez
2. 2B Jose Ramirez
3. RF Juan Soto
4. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
5. DH Rafael Devers
6. 3B Manny Machado
7. LF Starling Marte
8. SS Jeremy Pena
9. C Gary Sanchez
2022 AL Rookie of the Year, Julio Rodriguez is set to bat leadoff and is followed up by an absolute beast of hitters in the middle of the order. Jose Ramirez finds himself in the MVP discussion every season and is one of the premier switch hitters in the league. Juan Soto is becoming one of the best pure hitters the sport has seen. Vlad Jr. may be the right-handed power bat in baseball.
Rafael Devers is batting DH and is a constant threat at the plate. Manny Machado follows him up and is consistently one of the best bats in baseball. Starling Marte is a solid addition to the lineup and is taking over in left field. Jeremy Pena put together an incredible performance this past October and is looking to continue on the world stage. And finally, Gary Sanchez is the catcher and can still rake at the plate.
It will be a very entertaining World Baseball Classic to say the least. Teams are looking very exciting and the talent is through the roof. The first game of the Classic begins on March 8th and will run through March 21st.
Follow @Matt__Irish on Twitter for more Baseball News.
Get the latest sports news via Fantom Sports Industries. Follow us on twitter via @Fantom_sports. Like us on Facebook Fantom Sports Industries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel via Fantom Sports. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Shop Fantom Sports Industries Merch. Invest in your favorite athletes like stocks with “Prediction Strike!” Use code FANTOM when you sign up.
