World Baseball Classic provisional rosters (w/ A's)

by Flashfire on Jan 19, 2009 5:28 PM PST Comment 26 comments

Depending on how much you're paying attention to the World Baseball Classic, you may know that today the 45-man provisional rosters were named for each country. This roster has to be reduced to 28 buy Feb. 24.

The A's are currently represented as follows:

* Santiago Casilla (DOM)

* Chris Denorfia (ITA)

* Joey Devine (USA)

* Scott Mitchinson (AUS)

* Ricardo Penalba (PAN)

* Brad Ziegler (USA)

There's probably a good chance Casilla and Denorfia will be involved, but I'm more interested to see what happens with Devine and Ziegler. To be named in the first place is no doubt an honor for those involved. I've also seen some of these guys play during my photo work in the minors, including Gerardo Parra (ARI/VEN) with Visalia, Chih-Hsien Chiang (BOS/TPE) with Lancaster, Kasey Olenberger (LAA/ITA) with Salt Lake, Brooks McNiven (SF/CAN) with San Jose and Greg Halman (SEA/NED), Kuo Hui Lo (SEA/TPE) and Anthony Phillips (SEA/RSA) with High Desert.

Admittedly, I'm just as interested in seeing how some of these guys do in an international tournament as I am for our guys and the Team USA players. Some of them already played in the Beijing Olympics. I'd also like the chance to see Japan's Yu Darvish pitch.

Yes, I love the World Baseball Classic.

USA Provisional Roster

Players by MLB Club

More roster stuff can be found through the various links.

0 recs | Comment 26 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Also saw good ol’ lenny dinardo is on itl

by FrozenA'sFan on Jan 19, 2009 5:57 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I'd be concearned if i was a ray's fan

first off i’m new!!!, be careful because i’m a blogging free agent represented by scott boras
both kazmir and howell had to pitch an extra month of baseball, now they have to start a couple months early, i remember when street came back from this tournament, he sported a 5 era for the first two months
although it’s great to pitch for your country and pitch in this tournament, i feel that the major league season is the first priority, so i’d hate to see ziggy being adversely affected with the added workload

When we played softball, I’d steal second base, feel guilty and go back.
- Woody Allen

by rhymeswithelephant on Jan 19, 2009 5:59 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

This is why personally I hate the WBC

Just more chance for injuries from playing and from early prep. I’m relieved if those are the only A’s involved. I don’t worry much about Ziggy, given his pitching style and health history, as long as he isn’t creamed by a line drive. Devine worries me more.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 19, 2009 6:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have similar concers

but…isn’t soccer year around basically. I do like the idea of lifting baseball up, giving it more national pride like soccer (futball). I was very disappointed when it was removed from the Olympic games. Hopefully this will make it more prominent.

Side note: I know baseball is very different than soccer in the injury category, but it seems to mostly affect pitchers. Maybe infuse more major league hitters and less pitchers. I just want it to be more like soccer and basketball—world popularity.

by asyouwish33 on Jan 19, 2009 6:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

throwing a baseball is the most unnatural thing your body can do

that would tend to wear on a pitcher is he didnt ease himself slowly up to playing (and pitching) year round

"I think people in this state like BOTH teams," proclaims Nick Aliotti, the Ducks' defensive coordinator. "Except for our hard-core fans, I don't think most Duck fans would have been terribly upset to see Oregon State going to the Rose Bowl."

Another reason he needs to go.

by diehardoaklandfan22 on Jan 19, 2009 6:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If you think throwing a baseball is the most unnatural thing your body can do,

you should come to one of my Friday night orgies. Oh, and can you bring some other people? It might be kind of dull, just the two of us.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jan 19, 2009 6:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

you're going to need a lot of alcohol to make that enjoyable

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Jan 19, 2009 7:19 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn

even the goat doesn’t show up. I’m thinking you’re doing it wrong.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Jan 19, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

read side note

by asyouwish33 on Jan 19, 2009 6:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, I get the concern...

But on the flip side, what a cool experience that would be for both guys. Both young in their career to be able to be around that roster of players during practice and games. Not only an amazing learning experience baseball wise, but also the stories you could tell from being in that locker room for 2-3 weeks. I hope they make the squad for that reason, too valuable for them personally to root against it.

Just listening to David Wright and Davey Johnson talk about the team and the experience and how mucht ehy are looking forward to it was fun….

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 19, 2009 7:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i understand the concern

but i’d imagine that ziggy and devine won’t be throwing more in the WBC than they would be if they weren’t competing. they will be throwing in a more stressful environment, but if they werent in the WBC they would be throwing roughly the same amount on the side.

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Jan 19, 2009 8:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm worried about Albert Pujols

He just had surgery this offseason, and he’s had a slew of nagging injuries since 2003.

Also, he kicks ass.

"To this day and dating back 25 years, before every game he plays, Henderson stands completely naked in front of a full length locker room mirror and says, "Ricky’s the best," for several minutes."

by VORP is too nerdy on Jan 19, 2009 6:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He has said recently he is almost 100% now....

That middle of the lineup with him, A Rod and Ortiz is insane.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 19, 2009 7:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

and they lost to Cuba

which is more insane, if you think about it

"Sometimes Joe (morgan) doesn't like facts to get in the way of his opinions."- billy beane
"That was a great pick...if this was 2002" Me, to guy who selected Barry Zito in a fantasy draft
www.27ClubPeak.blogspot.com

by harendaman365 on Jan 21, 2009 11:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It seems like so little is written about the WBC...

this time around. It’s rather odd really. It seemed like a bigger deal last time.

by IM4Oakgal on Jan 20, 2009 12:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

well if people feel like i do

they are less excited about it because it’s lost its novelty and they’ve realized it really isn’t that exciting

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Jan 20, 2009 12:40 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As someone who went to the games in San Diego the first time...

…I can say it was very exciting.

People wouldn’t understand the thrill of international baseball unless they’re there and seeing all the stuff going on.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 20, 2009 8:34 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Great atmosphere at those games….

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jan 20, 2009 9:03 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

When my friend and I were heading toward the main entrance...

…that first day and heard a salsa band up on the concourse, we looked at each other and went, “Oooh, this is going to be fun.”

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 20, 2009 9:11 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is one of my favorite pictures from that weekend

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 20, 2009 9:12 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I like some of the time the MLB Network has devoted to it so far

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 20, 2009 8:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't make much of it the first time around until.....

I saw Venezuela vs Dominican Republic in the first game, and they were going NUTS in that little Disney stadium. That was awesome with Santana going against Ortiz

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Jan 20, 2009 4:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. Australia vs. South Africa is "so what"

But it really drives it home when two nations that eat, sleep and breathe baseball get together and play.

That’s part of what made seeing Cuba and the Dominican Republic play in San Diego so awesome to me. You have people in the crowd waving flags, shaking noisemakers, standing and chanting, and it’s just sweet.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jan 20, 2009 4:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs