Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic roster: Juan Soto, Manny Machado headline 2023 WBC team
Looking at the World Baseball Classic rosters, it’s hard not to scoff at the Dominican Republic’s lineup.
This roster is fully loaded. There’s a Rookie of the Year, a Cy Young winner, an MVP runner-up, and a Home Run Derby winner at first sight — and those are just accolades from the 2022 season. It’s essentially an MLB All-Star -Team.
While that doesn’t guarantee the Dominican Republic anything in the tournament’s scheme, it certainly makes it a must-see on TV. Some of these players took the stage on the Caribbean Series’ masterful team, including Robinson Canó. Another – or rather, another – is player GM Nelson Cruz doing a double duty.
As for the Superstars, there’s a lot to say. Juan Soto and Julio Rodríguez are in the outfield; Manny Machado, Wander Franco, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Jeremy Peña are on the infield and Sandy Alcántara will be on the pitching staff. The Dominican Republic has emerged as the clear favorite to win this year’s championship, joining Japan as multiple World Baseball Classic winners, and it’s no coincidence.
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Squad of the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic 2023
There are stacks, and then there is what you would call the Dominican Republic squad.
Her starting pitchers include Sandy Alcántara and Cristian Javier, the latter of whom was the figurehead of an Astros no-hitter in the World Series. In the bullpen, on the other hand, the pitching staff shines. Rafael Montero, Héctor Neris and Gregory Soto can all walk in late-game situations, and Camilo Doval and Bryan Abreu can put out fires.
The field has no weak points. The Dominican Republic are three deep with Willy Adames, Jeremy Peña and Wander Franco at shortstop. At third base they have Manny Machado and Rafael Devers. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is at first base while Robinson Canó is the mainstay at second base.
Outfield, meanwhile, the Mariners will be well represented with AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodríguez and new signing Teoscar Hernández. Juan Soto and Nelson Cruz are also in the outfield. The Rays’ Gary Sanchez and Francisco Mejía complete the catcher team.
pitchers
| player | team | throws |
| Bryan Abreu | Houston Astros | R |
| Sandy Alcántara | Miami Marlin | R |
| Diego Castillo | Seafarers from Seattle | R |
| Roansy Contreras | Pittsburgh Pirates | R |
| Johnny Cueto | Miami Marlin | R |
| Camilo Doval | San Francisco Giants | R |
| Jarlin Garcia | Pittsburgh Pirates | L |
| Luis García | San Diego Padres | R |
| Yimi García | Toronto Blue Jays | R |
| Christian Javier | Houston Astros | R |
| Jose Leclerc | Texas Rangers | R |
| Raphael Montero | Houston Astros | R |
| Hector Neris | Houston Astros | R |
| Gregory Soto | Philadelphia Phillies | L |
catcher
| player | team | punches/throws |
| Francisco Mejía | Tampa Bay Rays | r/r |
| Gary Sanchez | Free agent | r/r |
infielder
| player | team | position | punches/throws |
| Willy Adames | Milwaukee Brewers | ss | r/r |
| Robinson Cano | Free agent | 2 B | L/R |
| Raphael Devers | Boston Red Sox | 3B | L/R |
| Wander Franco | Tampa Bay Rays | ss | S/R |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Toronto Blue Jays | 1B | r/r |
| Manny Machado | San Diego Padres | 3B | r/r |
| Ketel Marte | Arizona Diamondbacks | 2 B | S/R |
| Jeremy Pena | Houston Astros | ss | r/r |
| Jean Segura | Miami Marlin | 2 B | r/r |
outfield player
| player | team | position | punches/throws |
| Nelson Cruz | San Diego Padres | RF | r/r |
| Teoscar Hernandez | Seafarers from Seattle | RF | r/r |
| Eloy Jimenez | Chicago White Sox | LF | r/r |
| Julio Rodriguez | Seafarers from Seattle | CF | r/r |
| Juan Soto | San Diego Padres | RF | LL |
MORE: World Baseball Classic odds: US, Dominican Republic among favorites to win WBC
See players from the Dominican Republic
Players who need to pay attention to the DR are those who are on the plate at that point.
do you want power Manny Machado, Rafael Devers, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Julio Rodríguez, Willy Adames and Juan Soto can attest to that. Consistency? Wander Franco, Jeremy Peña and Jean Segura have it covered.
On the mound, NL Cy Young champion Sandy Alcántara will be a player to watch alongside Cristian Javier. Outside the bullpen, the Astros’ save continues, with Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Héctor Neris getting serious innings. Camilo Doval and Phillies fans’ first glimpse of Gregory Soto in a different uniform are among the other key players acting for the Dominicans.
MORE: World Baseball Classic 2023: MLB team-by-team breakdown
Who coaches the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic?
The Dominican Republic coach isn’t as forward-looking as his squad. Rodney Linares, the Rays’ bench coach – and potentially the next in line for a managerial job – will coach the Dominican Republic.
Linares was promoted to bench manager by the Rays after the Royals hired his predecessor Matt Quatraro as the new manager. Linares has been coaching in MLB for four years and has decades of experience coaching in the minor leagues.
The Dominican Republic’s sheer talent presents Linares with some interesting issues to resolve, particularly who is playing when. It’s a team so good it feels like no line-up can be “wrong” but only nine players can be on the field at a time.
This will be Linares’ first manager at the World Baseball Classic.
History of the Dominican Republic baseball classic
The Dominican Republic is one of three countries to win the World Baseball Classic after beating Puerto Rico 3-0 in the 2013 finals.
It has made it to the semifinals twice and was knocked back once in the first round in 2009 when it was pooled with the Netherlands, Puerto Rico and Panama.
The Dominican Republic went unbeaten in their 2013 championship run, giving up just 14 total heats in eight games. It is the only time a team has gone undefeated at the World Baseball Classic.
| Year | Result | endgame |
| 2006 | Finished in fourth place | 1-3 defeat against Cuba |
| 2009 | Eliminated in pools | 2-1 defeat against the Netherlands |
| 2013 | championship won | 3-0 win over Puerto Rico |
| 2017 | Eliminated in the second round | 6-3 loss to USA |
| 2023 | open | open |
Schedule of the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic 2023
The Dominican Republic will play in a very entertaining Pool D at LoanDepot Park in Miami.
His group includes Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Israel.
The Dominican Republic tournament begins on March 11 against Ronald Acuña Jr., Miguel Cabrera and the Venezuelan team.
Pools end March 15 against Puerto Rico.
| Date | Game | time (ET) | Channel (USA) |
| March 11 | Dominican Republic vs Venezuela | 19 o’clock | FS1 |
| March 13th | Dominican Republic vs Nicaragua | 12 o’clock | FS2 |
| the 14th of March | Israel vs. Dominican Republic | 19 o’clock | FS2 |
| March, 15 | Puerto Rico vs Dominican Republic | 19 o’clock | FS2 |