In a special show on the new MLB Network the provisional 45-man rosters for the 16 teams at the upcoming World Baseball Classic were released on Monday evening. The final rosters of 28 players, including 13 pitchers, have to be submitted until February 24th. The tournament starts on March 5th with the Asian Pool A at the Tokyo Dome, Pools C and D in Toronto and San Juan will follow on March 7th, Pool B in Mexico City begins on March 8th. The two European teams Netherlands and Italy open the Classic against the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
The most prominent names on the Dutch National Team roster are the Major League proven pitchers Sidney Ponson, Jair Jurrjens, Shairon Martis and Rick Van Den Hurk. With outfielders Roger Bernadina and Gregory Halman two position players from 40-Man Major League rosters are also listed. Wladimir Balentien and Andruw Jones will not play for the Netherlands in the WBC. Head coach Rod Delmonico does have a mix of players from the Dutch Hoofdklasse and the American Major and Minor Leagues. In comparison to the other teams, their major strength is the pitching staff. If they can produce enough offense, they might be able to surprise their opponents Panama, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico in round one of the Classic.
The Italian team also brings in a combination of players from the Italian Baseball League and professional teams in the United States. Their biggest names are sitting behind the plate. Mike Napoli, Sal Fasano, Francisco Cervelli and Vinny Rottino form an impressive catching formation. Pitchers Lenny DiNardo, Jason Grilli and Mark DiFelice, infielders Frank Catalanotto, Robert Fick and Nick Punto, plus outfielder Chris Denorfia also have recent big league experience in their resume. Besides Venezuela, Italy has to play against Team USA and Canada in Pool C.
Obviously the two European teams are heavy underdogs in the competition compared to the all-star squads of Team USA, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Japan or Venezuela. We’ll wait and see how they can hold their ground in the tournament.
Complete 45-Man Roster Netherlands
Complete 45-Man Roster Italy
2009 World Baseball Classic Schedule
