Which Pirates are Participating in the World Baseball Classic?

Story by Yinzer Crazy Contributor Baron Dionis

One of the biggest events in the world is right around the corner. That event is the World Baseball Classic. This event includes 20 different countries around the world and is played at four main locations. This year the games will take place in Taichung, Taiwan; Tokyo, Japan; Phoenix, Arizona; Miami, Florida. The last World Baseball Classic was played in 2017 and the winner was the United States. The tournament's first game is on March 7th and the championship is on March 21st.

Pittsburgh is sending four rostered players to the tournament. David Bednar, Duane Underwood Jr, Jarlin Garcia, and Roansy Contreras are all pitching in the World Baseball Classic. 

David Bednar is a fan favorite in Pittsburgh as he was our single all-star representative in 2022. Our closer is going to be pitching for the United States in this tournament. Bednar, 28, was primarily used as a closer in 2022 and notched 19 saves. He also posted a 2.61 ERA and 69 SO in just 51.2 IP. Bednar probably will not be the closer for Team USA, but he will be an excellent arm in that bullpen.

Duane Underwood Jr has been on the Pirates since 2021 after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs. Duane will continue to be a solid arm in the bullpen for the Pirates as he also will be in the bullpen for Puerto Rico. Duane posted a 4.40 ERA and 57 SO in 57.1 IP. He also had a very impressive 2.92 FIP. Puerto Rico is the fourth rated team likely to win the whole tournament and Duane will be an important arm in the Puerto Rican bullpen.

Jarlin Garcia was signed to a one year deal this offseason after spending the last three seasons with the San Francisco Giants. Jarlin will be one of two Pirates pitching for the Dominican Republic. In 2022, Jarlin had a 3.74 ERA and 56 SO in 65 IP. The lefty looks to be an important arm in Pittsburgh and for Team Dominican.

Roansy Contreras is the second Pirate on the Dominican roster. The young right handed pitcher will follow Sandy Alcantara and Christian Javier as the third starting pitcher in the strong Dominican rotation. As a rookie in 2022, Roansy posted a 3.79 ERA and 86 SO in 95 IP. The Dominican Republic is the second favorite to win the whole tournament, behind the United States.

The Pirates also have nine other minor league players participating in the tournament. Those players are; Rob Zastryzny (Canada), Alessandro Ercolani and Jeffrey Passantino (Italy), Antwone Kelly and Josh Palacios (Netherlands), Tsung-Che Cheng (Chinese Taipei), Chavez Young and Tahnaj Thomas (Great Britain), and Santiago Florez (Colombia).