Top Prospects Playing In the World Baseball Classic

The World Baseball Classic, March’s tune up of competition for players and baseball fans alike before the MLB begins, features the best players in the sport. While grizzled veterans such as USA’s Bryce Harper and the Dominican Republic’s Manny Machado were shoe-in elects based on their year-by-year accomplishments in the major leagues, six of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects were selected to represent their country.

Current New York Met, who is technically still a prospect based on his major league innings pitched, Nolan McLean joins a loaded USA rotation that features Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal. Former #1 overall pick Travis Bazzana headlines team Australia; the second baseman could very well find himself on Cleveland’s opening day roster with a strong showing in spring training and in the WBC. Former Chicago Cub and now Miami Marlin Owen Caissie brings his outfield presence to an underrated Canada diamond with Josh Naylor and Tyler O’Neill. Mariner’s prospect Michael Arroyo joins a heavy-hitting Columbia lineup, as the WBC could provide a breakout period for the 20-year-old. Washington National Harry Ford, a notable name prospect who played in eight MLB games last season, becomes Great Britain’s most valuable asset as a catcher who can also bring the offensive skill as a designated hitter. The Yankees’ Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz joins team Puerto Rico. The 22-year-old could find himself in an Yankees uniform on Opening Day with recent injuries to Aaron Boone’s rotation. St Louis’s Leonardo Bernal, a recent addition to the top 100 list, plays for Panama.

What does this mean for prospects in general?

A large swath of baseball fans will be introduced to these players or re-introduced for the first time since college ball. For Bazzana, it’s his first appearance on network television since his days back at Oregon State; For players such as Rodriguez, it’s fans’ first time seeing them outside of the prospect ranking lists. Younger prospects hoping to one day play for their country also get a side bonus of being on a larger stage. General managers will certainly be tuning into the WBC, and one manager’s belief for a national team call-up could eventually end up expediting the minor league journey.

Some countries didn’t have a luxury of large player pools to choose from, but the fact that the United States and Puerto Rico both chose players under “Prospect Status” shows clear belief in the minor league system and the future of baseball. Those two countries selected youngsters over proven all-stars and set a precedent for future prospects to perform above their age.

How will this affect minor league call-up rates?

Rob Manfred and MLB executives have continued to push towards faster call-ups to push younger, new talent into the league and give the fans of downtrodden teams something to look forward to when they head to the ballpark or tune in on their television. They already added the Prospect Promotion Incentive during the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement. Through the PPI, teams are able to earn compensatory draft picks if called up rookies perform well and hit certain accolades. This PPI initiative has helped teams gain momentum. Look at what the Athletics have done with their recent call-up spree with Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson, in addition to Max Muncy. While the PPI creates a call-up incentive, the WBC will help to ease the worries of skippers that their youngsters can’t handle a big moment. The WBC is being played in MLB stadiums and features sold-out crowds to compliment the task of facing top MLBers.

Here’s where things get tricky. Those selected to WBC rosters are currently missing 1-2 weeks of camp with their MLB squads. While they are arguably getting more valuable reps in the tournament, they lose having the opportunity to show off their skills in front of management during daily practices and spring training games. Cut downs and assignments to minor league camps are typically made around tmid-March. The WBC elects lose the ability to outperform the older players in front of them on the depth chart. Likewise, any struggles in the WBC from these early 20-year-olds (even when they are facing all-stars) could turn into a reason to keep a prospect in the minors when creating the Opening Day 26-man roster.

How do baseball fans benefit from this?

The WBC calls for best-on-best baseball. While not originally billed as the “Best”, these minor league prospects often outplay aging players who are often juggling MLB responsibilities with contracts, captaincy duties, and the attempt to cash in with one last championship. The prospects come into this tournament playing free, playing passionate for their country. Baseball fans are given the opportunity to watch the stars of tomorrow shine today.