MESA, Ariz. -- Colombia has long been a nation where soccer is king, with baseball more of a niche sport mostly played in the Caribbean region of the country. In recent years, however, players like Jordan Diaz, the A¡¯s No. 7 prospect, have helped bring baseball into the mainstream.

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Growing up in Monteria, the capital city of the Colombian province of Cordoba, Diaz was not like most of his friends who grew up idolizing the country¡¯s elite footballers such as James Rodr¨ªguez and Radamel Falcao. Instead, baseball was his passion, and his legends were Colombian baseball players Edgar Renteria and Orlando Cabrera.

Now playing for Team Colombia in his first World Baseball Classic, Diaz is getting a chance to learn from those players he once admired from afar. Both Cabrera and Renteria are part of the club¡¯s coaching staff, providing guidance for a Colombian squad that appears to be on the upswing.

¡°I always watched Edgar and Orlando on television,¡± Diaz said in Spanish. ¡°I¡¯m grateful to have them on the coaching staff. They¡¯re here sweating in that uniform with us. They¡¯re supporting us unconditionally and help us in whatever situation we face. It¡¯s great to have two big stars from Colombia taking their time to be here supporting us.¡±

Wednesday afternoon was an example of the country¡¯s advancement of the sport. Colombia defeated the A¡¯s, 3-2, in an exhibition game at Hohokam Stadium. Diaz was among the six Colombian batters to collect at least one hit in a lineup that featured Major Leaguers Gio Urshela, Harold Ram¨ªrez, Oscar Mercado and Elias D¨ªaz.

¡°I think us Colombians have been doing a good job in our respective organizations in MLB,¡± Diaz said. ¡°I think in a few years, when they talk about Colombia, they won¡¯t just talk about soccer, but also baseball.

¡°The young guys are always learning. What helps us is playing with the veteran players here like Urshela, Ramirez, Mercado, a lot of players with big league experience. We¡¯re taking all the good advice they¡¯re giving us. I think that¡¯s going to be the root of the progress of baseball in Colombia.¡±

Diaz is an emerging national star in his own right. After beginning the 2022 campaign at Double-A Midland, his continued dominance of Minor League pitching through Triple-A Las Vegas earned him a call to the big leagues by season¡¯s end. With Oakland, the infielder hit .265 in 15 games, setting himself up with expectations as one of the main contributors for Colombia, which enters a star-studded group that includes the United States, Mexico, Canada and Great Britain. Colombia¡¯s first game comes against Mexico on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

This won¡¯t be the first time Diaz dons his nation¡¯s colors. The Monteria native has routinely represented Colombia over the past few years while playing winter ball for the Vaqueros de Monteria, who were semifinalists in this year¡¯s Caribbean Series in which Diaz hit .265 with an .816 OPS. With that tournament having just taken place in February, Diaz entered Spring Training sharper than most at the plate and is hoping to translate that success into the Classic.

¡°I¡¯m thankful for the opportunity to represent my country,¡± Diaz said. ¡°Not only do I take a lot of pride to represent the colors of Colombia, but I¡¯m also representing my family and the Oakland A¡¯s. It¡¯s an honor to be playing in my first World Baseball Classic.¡±