The Blue Jays Players To Follow in the World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic begins March 5, and the opening round will be played in four locations. Pool play games will be held in Tokyo, Japan; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston, Texas; and Miami, Florida. 

The Toronto Blue Jays have 12 players and prospects participating in the WBC tournament. José Berríos intended to play, but he was denied an insurance policy. He participated in the last three classics, playing for Puerto Rico. The righty had an up-and-down MLB season last year, posting a 4.17 ERA with 138 strikeouts over 166 innings. In the first half of the season, he posted a 3.75 ERA and held batters to a .238 average over 115 1/3 innings. However, those numbers inflated over 50 2/3 innings in the second half, when he posted a 5.15 ERA and a .284 batting average against. He was sent to the bullpen, but he only threw two innings before he was placed on the 15-day injury list for the first time in his 10-year career with right elbow inflammation. Berríos was later revealed to be dealing with a biceps tendon issue.

Japan is looking to repeat as WBC champions. However, the teams from the USA, Venezuela, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic will be stiff competition. There is also the chance of a surprise team making a run (What about that Canadian roster?). 

Blue Jays in the WBC

Here are the Blue Jays players participating and the countries they will represent:

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B, Dominican Republic
• Alejandro Kirk - C, Mexico
• Adam Macko - LHP, Canada
• Ernie Clement - INF, USA
• Kazuma Okamoto - 3B, Japan
• Andrés Giménez - SS, Venezuela
• Leo Jiménez - SS, Panama
• Yariel Rodríguez - RHP, Cuba
• CJ Stubbs - C, Israel
• RJ Schreck - OF, Israel
• Will Cresswell - C, Great Britain
• Ismael Munguia - OF, Nicaragua

Guerrero will be making his first WBC appearance. He committed to play early after missing out on the 2023 tournament due to knee discomfort. Kirk will be the starting catcher for Team Mexico. He's also making his first WBC appearance after missing the 2023 event due to the birth of his child.

Clement is still riding the high of a hot October, in which he set the record for hits in a single postseason (30). It'll be his first appearance for Team USA, and he'll offer versatility in the field. Clement can play any infield position for manager Mark DeRosa.

Okamoto makes his second WBC appearance; he was a key contributor in Team Japan's 2023 WBC victory. He had a 1.278 OPS with two home runs and seven RBIs throughout the tournament. One of those home runs was against Team USA in the championship game.

Giménez will also be making his second WBC appearance for Team Venezuela. In 2023, he slashed .294/.368/.294 with two runs and an RBI. However, he makes most of his impact with his glove. He is a three-time Gold Glove winner and won the Platinum Glove Award in 2023 while with the Cleveland Guardians. The Blue Jays' shortstop can play both middle infield positions, giving manager Omar López flexibility with the plethora of MLB infielders Team Venezuela has.

Rodríguez will be making his second appearance for Team Cuba. During the 2023 tournament, he made two starts. He allowed two earned runs and struck out 10 batters over 7 1/3 innings. The Blue Jays also have several prospects participating in the classic. Stubbs is the only one with WBC experience. He played in the 2023 tournament for Team Israel. However, he played in only one game and went 0-for-3 at the plate.

Of the notable minor leaguers participating, Macko is on the Blue Jays' 40-man roster. Rodríguez, Stubbs, and Schreck will be non-roster invitees in spring training. All four could make an appearance with the major league club during the season. If Macko or Schreck get called up, it would be their MLB debuts. Stubbs made a brief debut last season with the Washington Nationals, taking three plate appearances. Rodríguez has pitched in 87 big league games, but will also most likely be starting the season in Triple A.