2009 World Baseball Classic - Pool B Preview

CUBA

Although not as dominant as in previous years, Cuba remains one of the elite international baseball heavyweights and enter the 2009 WBC gala as a serious contender
The 2006 runner-up team, albeit missing several big name players including record-setting slugger Alexei Bell, should advance to the second round without breaking a sweat
The biggest question mark for Cuban skipper Higinio Velez heading into their opening matchup opposite South Africa on March 8 is pitching
Does the veteran Pedro L. Lazo still have enough gas in his right arm to anchor an untested pitching corps?
The 35-year-old legendary hurler has been hampered by an aching back since January and his health could determine the fate of the Big Red Machine
A pair of youthful flame-throwers, Yunieski Maya and Aroldis Chapman, will get their chance to shine on the world stage for a staff missing Yadel Marti and Jonder Martinez
Marti defected to the United States while Martinez, the top pitcher in the Cuban League a year ago, failed to make the cut this time around
The 24-year-old Maya played in the 2006 WBC and has a fastball that hits 94 mph consistently on the radar gun
Chapman, just 24, touches 98 mph and has tallied 89 strikeouts in only 48 innings so far this season in Cuba’s domestic league
How these talented hurlers respond under pressure will go a long ways in determining if the Cubans can reclaim their spot as the premier world baseball power
Offensively, Cuba’s lineup has shifted away from the long ball to a group of adeppt hitters which is expected to produce enough runs to overcome an unpredictable pitching roster
Third baseman Yulieski Gourriel, a gifted athlete who batted .273 with a .857 OPS in 2006, could finally be ready to emerge as the top player on the island
Outfielder Alfredo Despaigne - who currently leads the Cuban League with 16 home runs - will provide the power in the batting order along with first baseman Joan Carlos Pedroso
Despaigne is torching opposing pitchers this season to the tune of .351 while Pedroso has smacked 15 balls out of the yard

MEXICO

Mexico posted a 3-3 record in the inaugural WBC in 2006 and was competitive in every game except a 6-1 loss at the hands of eventual champion, Japan
This time around, the team from south of the U.S. border are hoping for a deep title run
Coach Vinny Castilla’s squad will feature a balanced lineup with table-setters Jerry Hairston Jr. and Alfredo Amezaga, and major league sluggers Adrian Gonzalez, Jorge Cantu and Erubiel Durazo
Although the loss of big league pitchers Matt Garza, Yovany Gallardo and Oscar Villarreal diminished Mexico’s chances of waltzing into the second round, the Pool B hosts should still stand toe-to-toe with Australia for a second round ticket
The pitching staff will be led by starters Jorge Campillo and Oliver Perez, while a bullpen headlined by Joakim Soria and featuring Ricardo Rincon and Luis Ayala

AUSTRALIA

The Aussies will arrive in Mexico with a pivotal matchup against the hosts on March 8 that in all probability will decide the runner-up team in Pool B
An opening game loss would inevitably set the stage for a do-or-die contest opposite Cuba three days later
Coach Jon Deeble will lean heavily on Philadelphia Phillies infielder Brad Harman and Minnesota Twins prospect Luke Hughes to jumpstart the offense
While Australia will not be able to defeat Mexico in a slugfest, gutsy performances by outfielders Trent Oeltjen and Brett Roneberg could derail the home side plans to advance to San Diego where a huge Latin following awaits
If the 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist are to advance to the second round, pitching will undoubtedly play a major role
Besides Arizona Diamondbacks spring training invitee Travis Blackley, other key pitchers for the Aussies includes the Los Angeles Angels Rich Thompson and the Colorado Rockies Adam Bright

SOUTH AFRICA

No other team in the WBC will be as overmatched as South Africa who will open the tournament against Cuba in a huge mismatch on March 8
The South Africans are 0-15 in their last two international tournaments and pulling off an upset in Pool B would be a minor miracle
Coach Rick Magnante’s squad will feature several U.S. minor leaguers but none possess the pedigree to make the type of impact needed to upset Cuba, Mexico or Australia
The WBC double elimination format almost guarantees that South Africa will exit the tournament after only two outings
Former Kansas City minor league pitcher Barry Armitage will anchor a pitching rotation that also includes San Diego Padres prospect Alessio Angelucci
Other hurlers with minor league contracts includes Minnesota’s Hein Robb, Kansas City’s Dylan Lindsay, and Boston’s Justin Erasmus

HOW THEY’LL FINISH

1. Cuba
2. Mexico
3. Australia
4. South Africa

HITTERS TO WATCH

OF Alfredo Despaigne (Cuba), IF Joan Carlos Pedroso (Cuba), IF Yulieski Gourriel (Cuba), C Ariel Pestano (Cuba), IF Adrian Gonzalez (Mexico), IF Jorge Cantu (Mexico), IF Erubiel Durazo (Mexico), C Miguel Ojeda (Mexico), OF Alfredo Amezaga (Mexico), IF Brad Harman (Australia), IF Luke Hughes (Australia), OF Trent Oeltjen (Australia), IF Justin Lazarus (South Africa) and IF Brett Willemburg (South Africa)

PITCHERS TO WATCH

Pedro L. Lazo (Cuba), Aroldis Chapman (Cuba), Yunieski Maya (Cuba), Jorge Campillo (Mexico), Oliver Perez (Mexico), Luis Ayala (Mexico), Joakim Soria (Mexico), Travis Blackley (Australia), Adam Bright (Australia), and Rich Thompson (Australia)

SCHEDULE

3/08: South Africa vs. Cuba
3/08: Australia vs. Mexico
3/09: Game 2 Loser vs. Game 1 Loser
3/10: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner
3/11: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser
3/12: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner