The World Baseball Classic Is Turning Out To Be Another MLBbro Show | The Best In Black Baseball Is On Display

The World Baseball Classic Is Turning Out To Be Another MLBbro Show | The Best In Black Baseball Is On Display

by | Mar 20, 2023 | CLEAN UP

Four MLBbros are set to compete in the 2023 World Baseball Classic championship game for Team USA after defeating the Cuban National Team 14-2 in the WBC’s semifinals.

While the rest of Major League Baseball are currently in Spring Training and preparing for Opening Day, MLBbros Mookie Betts, Tim Anderson, Devin Williams, and Cedric Mullins are already playing for international gold in March. Back in 2017, Adam Jones, Andrew McCutchen and Marcus Stroman put Team USA on their backs and captured the country’s first title. 

 

 

Now this year marks the first appearance in the WBC for this new group of MLBbros, aiming to leave their mark on the global stage.  

Mookie Betts 

Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Betts, who officially committed to Team USA back in August 2022, has spent most of the tournament as the team’s leadoff hitter. The former American League MVP has a stat line of .296/.310/.333 in 27 at bats at this point in the WBC.

“I’m having the time of my life playing these games,” Betts said to La Vida Baseball. “This is very similar to the World Series and when we play, we want to play with passion. It’s not that much fun when you’re just playing and nobody cares. I think if you ask anybody on the field, we’re having some of the most fun we’ve ever had.” 

An everyday right fielder, Betts has also spent time at second base for Team USA.

“My brain’s in it more,” Betts told the Los Angeles Times, comparing second base to right field. “There are certain intricacies that make you a good right fielder. You’re just not in every play and whatnot like you are in the middle of the infield.

“But I definitely enjoy playing right. I don’t want to make it seem like I don’t enjoy it. I love going out there and playing and trying to be the best that I can be.”

Betts is no stranger to second base, receiving his first Major League start at the position in 2021 after recovering from an injury. Betts also had 230 starts at second base during his time in the minors.

 

 

But Betts is not the only MLBbro experimenting with other positions during the WBC.

Tim Anderson

Chicago White Sox All Star Tim Anderson transitioned to every day second baseman for Team USA due to the roster depth at shortstop. Anderson has been solid for USA, batting .313/.368/.500 while also playing slick defense at second.

 

 

It appears the switch to second base is not slowing Anderson down.

“It’s alright, not too bad. I got comfortable as the game went on and I was able to make some plays,” Anderson said to MLB Network after USA’s victory against Canada. 

Anderson appears to be using the WBC as an opportunity to remind everyone how good he is after battling an injury riddled season in 2022.

“I’m always out to prove something,” Anderson said to The Athletic. “Just to be among some of the greats, I just get a chance for the world to see what kind of athlete I am. And also the guys get to know what kind of person I am, the human being.”

The “WBCbros” are also getting it done on the mound.

 

Devin Williams

Brewers All Star reliever Devin ‘Airbender’ Williams made his biggest impact in the quarterfinals against Venezuela. In the eighth inning of the matchup, Williams would pitch around a leadoff double by striking out the next two batters and forcing a line out for the final out of the inning. Williams contributions in the eighth were vital as USA held on to a 9-7 lead to advance to the semifinals. “The Airbender”, known for his nasty changeup, has been sensational in his role in these games, giving up only one hit and zero earned runs.

 

MLBbro Devin Williams ‘AKA’ Airbender Will Be In LA For His First All-Star Game | As He Should

 

Cedric ‘CM Storm’ Mullins

Orioles’ outfielder Cedric ‘CM Storm’ Mullins has had a limited role in the WBC, batting .333 with a home run in six at bats. The home run was an eighth inning bomb against Cuba which would prove to be USA’s 14th and final run scored. The known bag thief has also been utilized as a pinch runner.

 

 

Team USA general manager, Tony Reagins spoke to MLBbro on how he felt about the Black representation at the WBC.

“That’s cool in the fact that black baseball will be represented. A number of our coaches are African-American. Some of our most talented players when you talk about Cedric, Mookie, [and] Devin Williams are going to be key parts of this. I think that black baseball will be represented in a number of ways, not only on the field, but in the dugout so I’m looking forward to it.” 

 

 

With a combined 10 All Star appearances, these four players are representing Black baseball on the global stage. Through their elite set of skills, they continue to be among the best representation for Black fans and players alike as they prepare with Team USA for the WBC championship game.

MLBbros Gearing Up For World Baseball Classic With Team USA | D-Will, Mookie, TA, Mullins

MLBbros Gearing Up For World Baseball Classic With Team USA | D-Will, Mookie, TA, Mullins

by | Feb 10, 2023 | THE TWO HOLE

World Series champion Mookie Betts and All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson highlight the group of four #MLBbros representing the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

Mookie Betts

Mookie Betts is coming off his seventh consecutive All-Star season which saw him win his sixth Gold Glove and fifth Silver Slugger award.

A top five player in all of baseball, Betts is a lethal weapon on offense and defense and his versatility will be key in USA’s quest for a second straight Gold Medal. MLBbros Marcus Stroman,  Andrew McCutchen and Adam Jones led Team USA to the last WBC title in 2017.

 

Mookie Betts Caps Special Week For MLBbro Culture With 200th Career Homer

 

“He would tell you he’s a second baseman that got moved to right field,” said Team USA manager Mark De Rosa.  “I am going to honor Mookie if he wants to see a little bit of time at second.”

With the outfield as stacked as it is, the best eight in the field could include Betts turning double plays with Tim Anderson.

Tim Anderson

 A Tim Anderson bat flip back in 2019 was the beginning of a change in the culture of baseball.

Team USA Is Looking MLBbro Formidable For World Baseball Classic Title Defense | Tim Anderson Is In The Building

That highlighted Anderson’s first career batting championship and since then, he has built himself into one of the Majors top shortstops. Anderson started for the American League in the All-Star Game last season and was the cover boy for RBI Baseball 2021. He will split playing time with Trea Turner of the Philadelphia Phillies during Pool Play, but Anderson’s ability with the bat makes him a perfect candidate for the Designated Hitter role.

Cedric Mullins

Cedric “CM Storm” Mullins is going to become a superstar after this year’s WBC. 

The leader of one of the most exciting teams in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles, Mullins who stands just 5’8 became the first player in their franchises history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season back in 2021 and finished third in the Majors with 34 steals last year.

 

 

Mullins will be following in the footsteps of former Orioles All-Star outfielder Jones whose home run robbery in an elimination game in the 2017 Classic against The Dominican Republic was the play of the tournament.

Devin Williams

The only Black pitcher on the U.S. roster has a chance to stamp himself the best reliever in the sport.

 

Known as “The Airbender” for having one of the greatest changeups ever, Devin Williams has been one of the most dominant relievers since 2020 when he won the National League’s Rookie of the Year. Most of his innings have come while in the setup role, but after the Brewers traded Josh Hader his job description changed to closer.

In three seasons, Williams has 250 strikeouts and a solid career ERA standing at 2.03. He will have his chance in the spotlight as he will be called on to get out some of baseball’s greatest talents with world supremacy on the line.

Team USA Is Looking MLBbro Formidable For World Baseball Classic Title Defense | Tim Anderson Is In The Building

Team USA Is Looking MLBbro Formidable For World Baseball Classic Title Defense | Tim Anderson Is In The Building

by | Aug 30, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is taking the phrase “SouthSide Worldwide” to new heights, as he is the latest MLBbro to join the Team USA roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic. The inaugural WBC was played in 2006 and had become one of the most unique events used to globalize the sport, until COVID caused the cancellation of the 2021 Classic.

Anderson is currently out with a hand injury, but the Chicago star has once again been one of the best hitters in baseball when healthy. On the year TA7 is hitting .301 with 100 hits, six home runs and 25 RBI out of the leadoff spot. Anderson is one of the best table setters in baseball, so adding him to a roster loaded with heavy hitters made perfect sense. 

TA is expected to be fully recovered from his injury by the tournament time in March, where he will join LA Dodgers superstar and 2018 MVP Mookie Betts and Baltimore Orioles building block Cedric Mullins as the only MLBbro’s on the roster. 

Betts has been one of the best players in baseball this season, and, if not for the Triple Crown pace of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, would be a frontrunner for National League MVP. Betts is slashing .355/.412/.839 over his last seven games with four bombs, eight RBI and 11 hits.

Mullins hasn’t been the same 30/30 player we saw last year, but he has still been a solid contributor for Baltimore. Mullins currently has 11 home runs and 23 stolen bases for an Orioles team that is looking to make some noise in the postseason for the first time in a while. 

The roster for Team USA won’t be settled until the off-season, so there are still a handful of MLBbros who should be locks for the roster should they choose to participate. Names like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Byron Buxon are surely being considered for the final outfield spots, with Judge being the lone lock if he wants it. 

 

 

The pitching rotation for Team USA is yet to be announced, but young Black starters like Cleveland Guardians Tristan Mckenzie and New York Mets Taijuan Walker along with Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams should all be considered for the squad.

Team USA won the last World Baseball Classic in 2017, and despite the talent being stacked by countries like former champions in the Dominican Republic and Japan, the Americans will have a great shot at a repeat.