While entering for the inaugural World Baseball Classic, the Netherlands manager Robert Eenhoorn knew the odds were stacked against his team. Still, he continued to preach that anything can happen on any given day. Playing the underdog role in a pool that was highlighted by Cuba and Puerto Rico, the Netherlands didn't pull off any major upsets. But right-handed pitcher Shairon Martis certainly did something that doesn't happen on any given day.
During a seven-inning, 10-0 win over Panama, Martis, then just 19 years old, tossed the first no-hitter in Classic history. The masterpiece allowed the Netherlands to claim its only win in the event and further prove that they have the arms necessary to at least be competitive when they go up against the world's best again during the 2009 Classic.
When the 2009 World Baseball Classic begins in March, the Netherlands will find itself in a pool that also includes the Dominican Republic, Panama and Puerto Rico. The odds of advancing to the second round will be stacked against the Dutch.
But if they can get each of their Major League-tested pitchers to compete, they might be able to pull off the upset that could allow them to be one of the two teams that advances from this pool, which will compete in San Juan, Puerto Rico, from March 7-11.
"If everybody goes, including me, we'll have a good pitching staff," Braves right-hander Jair Jurrjens said. "Pitching shouldn't be our problem. We just don't have enough good hitters to really be competitive."
Coming off a season in which he tossed more than 40 innings than he had during any previous professional season, Jurrjens isn't ready to commit to pitching in the Classic. He says he'll likely make a decision in January.
"Right now, I'd say that I'm 50-50," Jurrjens said. "I'd like to pitch. But I have to see how I'm feeling and give myself the best chance to be prepared for the [upcoming Major League season]."
Along with Jurrjens, the Netherlands' starting rotation could also include Rick VandenHurk, a top young pitcher who has made 21 career starts for the Marlins, and Martis, who went 1-3 with a 5.89 ERA in four starts after making his Major League debut with the Nationals in September.
"I would love to pitch in [the World Baseball Classic] and represent the Netherlands," VandenHurk said. "It's hard to say now what the [team's] expectations are. It depends who's on the team. But of course we play to win."
Entering the 2006 Classic, Andruw Jones was the most recognizable member of The Netherlands team. Coming off a 51-homer season with the Braves, Jones was seemingly in the prime of his career. But that career has since spiraled, and it hit rock bottom this past season, when the Gold Glove outfielder batted .158 with three homers in 75 games with the Dodgers.
Feeling good about the right knee that sidelined him most of this year, Jones is currently trying to regain his swing while playing in the Dominican Winter League. If he's healthy, he will likely once again man the center field position for The Netherlands.
There was a time when Jones was undoubtedly the most popular player from Curacao, the largest of the five islands of The Netherlands Antilles. But when the kids from his native island came to the Little League World Series this year, a heavy majority of them proclaimed that Jurrjens was their favorite Major Leaguer.
With Jurrjens, who finished third in this year's balloting for National League Rookie of the Year, VandenHurk and Ponson, the Netherlands would possess a trio of starters who would have a legitimate chance to at least neutralize the strong offenses possessed by the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
While his rotation remains uncertain, Eenhoorn knows this will be his final opportunity to lead The Netherlands during an international competition. After his team finished seventh in the eight-team Olympic field, the former Yankees infielder confirmed that he'll end his long tenure as the national team's manager after the Classic.
On the way to the disappointing Olympic finish, Eenhoorn's team was shut out five times in seven games. But that roster was a little different than the one the Netherlands hopes to carry into the Classic.
Nationals prospect Roger Bernadina and Mariners prospects Gregory Hallman and Wladimir Balentien didn't compete in the Olympics because of commitments to their Major League organizations. Hainley Statia, a top defensive prospect in the Angels organization, was unable to play because of injury.
Two other top Minor League players expected to once again compete for the Netherlands in the upcoming WBC are infielder Yurdenell de Caster (Nationals) and left-handed pitcher Alexander Smit (Reds).
バレンティンというマリナーズのトッププロスペクトが主軸で働くことが出きれば
アンドリューにマークが集中せずに済むんですがねぇ
メジャー以外はあまり・・・と行くかほとんど知らないので分かりませんが
コメントありがとうございます
>うはwどう考えてもドミニカ抑えられねぇw
まあ、厳しいの何のって。
先発の3枚はそこそこなんですがね・・・中継ぎは弱いですからね。
バレンティンがやはり主軸ですかね?ハーマンとかを軸にしましたが。
最初はバレンテインを3番にしたオーダーを書いたんですが・・・ただ国内組みの主力であるデヨングとデカスターをどう扱うか悩んで、結局、国際経験が多いからって理由で少しでもいい打順で使おうかなと。
バレンティンは一応9番においてますが、3、5、6(意外に)1番とかもあるかもしれません。