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Red Sox players going to the World Baseball Classic

By Daniel Cassese

October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) hits an RBI double in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
October 6, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) hits an RBI double in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians during game one of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball game at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Boston Red Sox will send four players to compete in the 16 nation World Baseball Classic.

Released Wednesday night, the WBC rosters will feature some prominent Red Sox players. Xander Bogaerts (Netherlands), Hanley Ramirez (Dominican Republic), Fernando Abad (Dominican Republic), and Eduardo Rodriguez (Venezuela) will play in the tournament from March 6th to 22nd. Bogaerts and Ramirez will be making their second and third appearances in the tournament respectively, while Abad and Rodriguez are making their debuts.

Hanley will be part of the Dominican core tasked with defending their 2013 championship, alongside Manny Machado, Robinson Cano, Jose Bautista, and Adrian Beltre. After injuring his hand while diving for a ball in the championship game against Puerto Rico, he missed the first month of the season while a member of the Dodgers. Expected to be a key contributor in the Red Sox lineup this season, one has to wonder whether his participation is worth the risk.

The most surprising name on this list is undoubtedly Eduardo Rodriguez. After tweaking his right knee in Winter Ball, the Red Sox have exercised caution in his recovery thus far but are apparently willing to let him play in the tournament. He suffered a similar injury to his knee in Spring Training last season that kept him out of action until May 31. Upon his return to the major league roster, he was unable to regain the form that had the Red Sox so excited about his potential in 2015. He compiled an 8.59 ERA in 6 starts before getting optioned to AAA Pawtucket at the end of June, not returning to the majors until mid-July.

All told, Rodriguez pitched 107 innings for the Red Sox in 2016, putting together a 4.71 ERA with 100 strikeouts and 40 walks. However, he put it together over his final nine games, allowing just 3.28 earned runs per nine while holding opposing batters to a .170 batting average against. It was evident that the injury to his right knee – his plant knee as a left-handed pitcher – impacted his ability to pitch in the first half of the season. Uncomfortable mechanics and anxiety in his delivery were corrected over the second half of his season, resulting in the performance we have come to expect from the 23-year-old.

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Rodriguez will be the only starter from the Red Sox rotation making an appearance at the WBC, after Rick Porcello, David Price, and Chris Sale decided to skip the tournament. It’s interesting that the team allowed Rodriguez to play, given his history and the heightened chance of injury, however, there is not much that they can do from a rules standpoint. All 30 MLB teams have made a commitment to the Commissioner in support of the WBC, whether they like it or not.

Then there’s Pablo Sandoval, who made it public that he was open to playing. He even posted a photo with fellow Venezuelans Miguel Cabrera, Jose Altuve, and Carlos Gonzalez working out together adorned in national gear.

Unlike Eduardo Rodriguez, Pablo did not make the Venezuelan roster. It’s no surprise he was left off after batting .245 with a 75 OPS+ in his debut season with the Red Sox two years ago, then registering 7 plate appearances (4 strikeouts) before undergoing season-ending surgery last year. He seems to be taking his 2017 season seriously, after shedding significant weight and showing up to camp early, but Red Sox fans won’t be convinced until he proves it with his play.

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For fans interested in seeing Red Sox players pitted against each other, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela could meet up in the second round if they both advance past the group stage, while the Netherlands will have to advance to the semi-finals to meet either of them.

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