The World Baseball Classic began on March 8th, featuring the world’s best players representing their home countries facing head to head! And, don’t forget, there are quite a few Phillies in the World Baseball Classic that you can root for!
The United States are the defending champions in the fifth annual iteration of this tournament, they beat Puerto Rico 8-0 in 2017 to take home the last time the World Baseball Classic came together.
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 22: Eric Hosmer #35 of team United States, who made the final out in the ninth inning, celebrates with teammates after their 8-0 win against previously undefeated Puerto Rico during Game 3 of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic at Dodger Stadium on March 22, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The fifth World Baseball Classic was originally supposed to take place in 2021 but was cancelled well ahead of time (back in May of 2020) due to the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Now, this exciting tournament is back and better than ever with twenty different countries being represented. The teams are split up into four pools. Starting with “Pool A – Taichung,” you have Netherlands, Italy, Cuba, Panama and Chinese Taipei.
TAICHUNG, TAIWAN – MARCH 09: Xander Bogaerts and Roger Bernadina react during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Panama and Netherlands at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 09, 2023 in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)
Moving onto “Pool B – Tokyo,” we’ve got Australia, Czech Republic, Japan, Korea, and China. In “Pool C – Phoenix,” there’s Canada, Colombia, Great Britain, Mexico and USA.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Pitchers David Bednar #53 and Daniel Bard #52 of Team USA practice ahead of the World Baseball Classic at Papago Park Sports Complex on March 07, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Rounding out the final pool, in “Pool D – Miami,” the final four teams are Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
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But more importantly, there are Phillies in the World Baseball Classic that you are going to want to be rooting for so let’s find out who it is!
8 Phillies In The World Baseball Classic
J.T. Realmuto - USA
They are calling him “America’s Catcher” because, well, quite frankly, he is catching for Team USA but I think that Phillies fans take that to heart as well. Fun fact, did you know that Realmuto actually was a shortstop for most of his life before beginning catching in college?
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 08: JT Realmuto #10 of the United States prepares for a Spring Training exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on March 08, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Garrett Stubs - Israel
The Phillies back up catcher will be calling pitches for Team Israel who will be playing in Pool D against the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. He has also played in the outfield for a couple games, who knows if he will stay behind the plate the whole time?
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 27: Garrett Stubbs #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies during a workout day ahead of Game One of the World Series between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies at Minute Maid Park on October 27, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Kyle Schwarber - USA
He’s going to be hitting Schwar-bombs for U-S-A!!!! He will be joining JT Realmuto on the team along with another Phillies player who will be named a bit later in the list.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Kyle Schwarber #12 of Team USA poses for a portrait ahead of the World Baseball Classic at Papago Park Sports Complex on March 07, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Jose Alvarado - Venezeula
Some more international representation for our team. Jose Alvarado is one of two Phillies on Team Venezuela. The lefty pitcher previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays before joining Philadelphia back in 2020.
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Jose Alvarado #46 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 05, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Trea Turner - USA
The BIG offseason signing for the Phillies was adding this new shortstop from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Did you know that Turner and Phillies star Bryce Harper played together for the Washington Nationals?
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 07: Trea Turner #8 of Team USA poses for a portrait ahead of the World Baseball Classic at Papago Park Sports Complex on March 07, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Gregory Soto - Dominican Republic
Soto joined the Phillies in the offseason this past year in a five-player trade with the Detroit Tigers. He is a two-time All Star, and in that trade as well, the Phillies got Kody Clemens, son of Roger Clemens.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 25: Gregory Soto #65 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch during the ninth inning of a game against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field on September 25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. The Tigers defeated the White Sox 4-1. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Taijuan Walker - Mexico
Another offseason addition for the Philadelphia Phillies to add to their pitching staff. They signed him to a four-year, $72 million deal after two seasons with the New York Mets.
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 09: Taijuan Walker #99 of Team Mexico smiles in the dugout before the first inning of a spring training exhibition game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 09, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)
Ranger Suarez - Venezuela
He will be joining his teammate, Jose Alvarado, on Team Venezuela. Suarez became a fan favorite during the Phillies 2022 postseason run coming in as a relief pitcher multiple times in tight spots.
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 23: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies poses for a portrait during media day at BayCare Ballpark on February 23, 2023 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)