The 2013 World Baseball Classic rosters were announced today on MLB.com. Below are the players in the Pittsburgh Pirates system who are playing in the event.
Australia
Stefan Welch – Welch was signed by the Pirates last year and hit for a .266/.339/.416 line in 440 at-bats between high-A and Double-A. He played mostly third base for the Pirates last year, but is listed as a shortstop. Welch has never played short in his six year minor league career.
Canada
Chris Leroux – He’s out of options this year and fighting for a spot in the Pirates’ bullpen.
Jameson Taillon – Taillon is from Texas, but his dad is French Canadian, which makes him eligible here.
Russell Martin – The Pirates’ starting catcher will be playing for Team Canada. There was talk at one point that he could play shortstop.
Dominican Republic
Wandy Rodriguez – Should start for the Dominican Republic.
Italy
Jason Grilli – The Pirates closer will get his work with Team Italy.
Mexico
Ali Solis – Claimed off waivers from the Padres over the off-season. Will be the backup to Rod Barajas for Team Mexico.
Puerto Rico
Ivan De Jesus – Infielder added in the Joel Hanrahan trade.
UPDATE 5:00 PM: I had Gift Ngoepe (South Africa) and Charlie Cutler (Israel) listed previously, but I learned those teams have been eliminated. As I mentioned on Twitter earlier, I care about the World Baseball Classic a little less than I care about the Olympics. And I don’t care about the Olympics at all.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
I wish cutch was playing for team USA