Reigning IBAF Baseball World Cup winner Netherlands announced its provisional roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic on Thursday evening. Manager Hensley Meulens and his coaching staff, which also includes Bert Blyleven and Brian Farley, rely mostly on players from professional leagues.
Six players are on the roster, which are currently playing in the Dutch Hoofdklasse. They are all pitchers: David Bergman, Rob Cordemans, Bayron Cornelissen, Berry van Driel, Diegomar Markwell and Orlando Yntema.
The Dutch team will face Olympic champion Korea, Chinese Taipei and Australia in round one of the World Baseball Classic in Taichung, Taiwan. The top two teams of the round robin will advance to the second round.
Provisional WBC Roster Netherlands
Pitchers:
- David Bergman (Corendon Kinheim)
- Rob Cordemans (L&D Amsterdam)
- Bayron Cornelissen (Vaessen Pioniers)
- Berry van Driel (DOOR Neptunus)
- Jonatan Isenia (Baltimore Orioles)
- Kenley Jansen (Los Angeles Dodgers)
- Jair Jurrjens (free-agent)
- Diegomar Markwell (DOOR Neptunus)
- Shairon Martis (Minnesota Twins)
- Loek van Mil (Cincinnati Reds)
- Tom Stuifbergen (Minnesota Twins)
- Juan Carlos Sulbaran (Kansas City Royals)
- Orlando Yntema (DOOR Neptunus)
Catchers:
- Spencer Kieboom (Washington Nationals)
- Shawn Zarraga (Milwaukee Brewers)
Infielders:
- Xander Bogaerts (Boston Red Sox)
- Yurendell de Caster (Winnipeg Goldeyes)
- Jurickson Profar (Texas Rangers)
- Jonathan Schoop (Batltimore Orioles)
- Andrelton Simmons (Atlanta Braves)
- Curt Smith (free-agent)
- Hainley Statia (Milwaukee Brewers)
- Nick Urbanus (Texas Rangers)
Outfielders:
- Wladimir Balentien (Yakult Swallow, Japan)
- Roger Bernadina (Washington Nationals)]
- Andruw Jones (Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, Japan)
- Randolph Oduber (Baltimore Orioles)
- Kalian Sams (Seattle Mariners)