Star power, former Classic MVP lead Puerto Rico's roster
Club seeks mountain top after two consecutive runner-up finishes
Mark Feinsand
@feinsandPuerto Rico is looking to take another step forward in this year¡¯s World Baseball Classic, and after finishing as the runner-up in both 2013 and 2017, a championship is the only thing left.
Yadier Molina, who competed for Puerto Rico in each of the first four World Baseball Classics, will not be playing in his fifth event after retiring at the end of the 2022 season, but the longtime Cardinals catcher will serve as manager, hoping to lead his country to that elusive title.
Although Carlos Correa opted out of participating in the WBC due to the expected due date of his second child next month, Puerto Rico features some significant star power, led by Francisco Lindor and Javier Báez.
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of Team Puerto Rico. Within each position, players are listed in alphabetical order, with any affiliation to an MLB organization noted in parentheses.
Catchers: Martín Maldonado (Astros), MJ Melendez (Royals), Christian Vázquez (Twins)
One of the strongest catching units in the tournament, Puerto Rico has a nice mix of experience with veterans Maldonado and V¨¢zquez to go along with up-and-comer Melendez.
Infielders: Javier Báez (Tigers), Edwin D¨ªaz (Red Sox), Kik¨¦ Hern¨¢ndez (Red Sox), Francisco Lindor (Mets), Vimael Machín (Phillies), Jose Miranda (Twins), Emmanuel Rivera (D-backs), Neftali Soto
Lindor and B¨¢ez are the most notable names in this group, and both players will be hungry to win after being part of the starting lineup that lost to Team USA in the title game in 2017. Hern¨¢ndez could very well see time in center field, as Lindor and B¨¢ez are expected to play up the middle.
Outfielders: Henry Ramos (Reds), Eddie Rosario (Braves), Nelson Vel¨¢zquez (Cubs)
As mentioned above, Hern¨¢ndez could emerge as the team¡¯s center fielder, while Rosario -- the 2021 NLCS MVP -- should play left field. Both have represented Puerto Rico in the WBC before, part of the starting lineup in 2017. That leaves Vel¨¢zquez, a 24-year-old who made his big league debut last season and appeared in 77 games for the Cubs, and Ramos, a 30-year-old with 18 games of MLB experience, in the right-field mix.
Pitchers: Jos¨¦ Berr¨ªos (Blue Jays), Fernando Cruz (Reds), Jos¨¦ De Le¨®n (Twins), Alexis D¨ªaz (Reds), Edwin D¨ªaz (Mets), Dominic Hamel (Mets), Jorge L¨®pez (Twins), Anthony Maldonado (Marlins), Jovani Moran^ (Twins), Nicholas Padilla (White Sox), Emilio Pagán (Twins), Yacksel Ríos (Braves), Dereck Rodríguez (Twins), Hector Santiago^, Marcus Stroman (Cubs), Duane Underwood Jr. (Pirates)
^ denotes left-handed pitcher
The name that stands out above the rest is Stroman, who captured the tournament¡¯s Most Valuable Player award in 2017 as a member of Team USA. Stroman, whose mother is from Puerto Rico, decided to suit up for her country this time, looking to help his new team to its first WBC title. Berr¨ªos will form a strong 1-2 punch atop the rotation, while Pag¨¢n, L¨®pez and Edwin D¨ªaz give the staff plenty of late-inning experience.