Eight Astros Participating in the World Baseball Classic
The Astros will be well-represented in the upcoming edition of the World Baseball Classic.
Once every four years the World Baseball rolls into view for all baseball fans around the globe to see. The tournament itself is a great opportunity for their players and respective countries to be better known on the baseball stage.
This year there will be numerous Astros to partake in the festivities. Eight total, seven from the 40-man roster to be exact, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
2B Jose Altuve – Venezuela
SS Carlos Correa – Puerto Rico
OF/DH Carlos Beltran – Puerto Rico
RHP Luke Gregerson – United States
3B Alex Bregman – United States
OF Nori Aoki – Japan
LHP Kevin Chapman – Canada
RHP Dayan Diaz – Colombia
There are a few notable first-timers on the list this year like Altuve, Bregman, and Correa. Beltran and Aoki have been part of their national teams multiple times in the past. No doubt it will be exciting to see so many Astros partake in this global event.
The Classic will take place between March 6th through the 22nd. Like previous iterations, the tournament will also interfere with MLB Spring Training. This isn’t anything new if you are familiar with the WBC from years past.
However, the main question remains the same each and every time; is the WBC a detriment to MLB players?
I’m sure there have been reports and research into this very subject. While I won’t delve too deep into the matter, I would like to think it does make an impact to a certain extent. Either way you stand though, the fact remains that players must play no matter where it is. Sure, you would like for your favorite players to gear up for the season for their professional clubs.
On the other hand, the opportunity to represent your country on a global scale is a privilege. It isn’t something that should be taken for granted. As long as the each player is ready for the upcoming season then it shouldn’t matter too much one way or another. Unless injuries take place then expect a bit of resistance from Major League Baseball and their clubs in the future.
One benefit for the teams, Astros included, during the WBC is that other players are given more regular playing time throughout Spring Training. For some clubs that is beneficial in determining of whom can be of help during the grueling 162-game MLB season. You may find a diamond in the rough that otherwise would’ve been missed.
The great thing, in my opinion, about the World Baseball Classic is to watch baseball bring together different cultures for the love of the game. While it isn’t the most popular tournament, it does provide an opportunity to bring the nations together. It is also quite exciting to see the Astros represented to such a noticeable extent this time around.
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