Cleveland Indians: Breaking Down Some of the Indians at the WBC
Taking a look at some of the Cleveland Indians players headed to the World Baseball Classic and determining which player will best represent the club.
In less than a month, the World Baseball Classic will hold its first round(s) in Seoul, South Korea, Tokyo, Japan, Miami, U.S.A., and Jalisco, Mexico. A good handful of the Cleveland Indians are playing for their native teams, including a number of non-roster players. There’s no doubt every player will represent Cleveland in the best way possible, but the real question is, who will rep us the best?
Whoever has Francisco Lindor or Carlos Santana on their team will most likely do extremely well in the WBC. Lindor, as well as Roberto Perez, will play for Puerto Rico, while Santana will join the Dominican Republic squad.
It has yet to be announced if Lindor will be playing his birth-right position at shortstop or not, since the Houston Astros’ Carlos Correa, and Javier Baez will be playing for Puerto Rico. Either way, Lindor should see a great deal of time in the event.
Expect Perez to provide great home plate coverage for Puerto Rico too. He will play with fellow renowned catcher Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Santana did well as the Dominican Republic’s catcher back in 2013, but now that he shined bright as the Tribe’s DH and first baseman, Dominican Republic general manager Moises Alou will be utilizing his stronger talents. “We’re going to have to be more creative with how we use Carlos now,” he said in an article published on cleveland.com in December. “He could play left field some, first base and DH.”
Lindor, the team’s positivity generator and continuously rising star, will stop almost anything heading his way no matter what position he plays. Perez, who has been working out with and learning from the esteemed Molina, will also showcase the Indians’ skilled roster. But Slam-tana and his outstanding .366 OBP, .865 SLG, and undeniable versatility can carry close to an entire team.
Both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic will play in Miami in Pool C between March 9 and 13. The Indians lucked out in signing some of Puerto Rico and the DR’s finest, now it’s time to enjoy them in their element, playing for both the Indians and their respective homelands.
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