Mexico will play in its fifth World Baseball Classic this year when Pool C play begins at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. in March.
In the World Baseball Classic, Mexico is 7-11 all time, with modest success despite not reaching a semifinal. Mexico beat the United States twice in the 2006 World Baseball Classic at Angels Stadium in the second pool round, and once during the 2013 World Baseball Classic in Pool D at Chase Field. Mexico can compete in the next round if starting pitchers such as Julio Urias, Jose Urquidy, and Taijuan Walker can step up for the staff.
For the 2017 World Baseball Classic Mexico had to qualify in Mexcali at Estadio B’Air, beating Nicaragua to make the field of 16 for the event.
Mexico during the 2017 World Baseball Classic went 1-2 and failed to qualify out of the pool with two key loses to Italy and Puerto Rico at Estadio Charros de Jalisco in Guadalajara. Mexico manager Benji Gil will have one of the best rosters that Mexico has ever carried, featuring major league players and also marginal amount of players from both the Liga ARCO Mexican del Pacifico, which is their winter league, and the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, which is played in the same season as major league baseball.
Mexico can compete against elite pitching from the United States and Colombia, who they will face in Pool C in Phoenix at Chase Field from March 11-15. Mexico will play the United States, Colombia, Canada, and Great Britain during pool play at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Mexico is currently No. 5 in the World Baseball Softball Confederation’s World Baseball Rankings. The last time Mexico played in a senior event was the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at Yokohama Stadium, where they failed to medal from the six-team field, going winless in the tournament under manager Gil. In that event, Mexico carried players mostly from the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol circuit, other international leagues, non-40-man roster players with major league organizations, and free agents at the professional level.
Mexico will start camp for the World Baseball Classic on March 7 in Scottsdale, Ariz. before playing two exhibition games. The first is March 8 against the Cleveland Guardians at 1:05 p.m. MST at Goodyear, Ariz. and the second is on March 9 against the Colorado Rockies at 1:10 p.m. MST in Scottsdale. Mexico will play Colombia in the first game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic at 2:30 p.m. EST at Chase Field in Phoenix on FOX.
2023 Mexico World Baseball Classic Roster
LAMP- Liga ARCO Mexicano del Pacifico
LMB- Liga Mexicana del Beisbol
Pitchers (Team – League)
Erubiel Armenta (Cañeros de los Mochis – LAMP)
Javier Assad (Chicago Cubs)
Manny Barreda (Toros de Tijuana – LMB)
Victor Castaneda (Milwaukee Brewers)
Luis Cessa (Cincinnati Reds)
Jesús Cruz (Philadelphia Phillies)
Giovanny Gallegos (St. Louis Cardinals)
Felipe González (Yaquis de Obregón – LAMP)
Adrián Martínez (Oakland Athletics)
Óliver Pérez (Toros de Tijuana – LMB)
Roel Ramírez (Atlanta Braves)
Alan Rangel (Atlanta Braves)
Gerardo Reyes (Los Angeles Angels)
Wilmer Rios (Acereros de Monclova – LMB)
JoJo Romero (St. Louis Cardinals)
Jake Sanchez (San Diego Padres)
Patrick Sandoval (Los Angeles Angels)
Julio Urías (Los Angeles Dodgers)
José Urquidy (Houston Astros)
César Vargas (Sultanes de Monterrey – LMB)
Taijuan Walker (Philadelphia Phillies)
Samuel Zazueta (Toros de Tijuana – LMB)
Catchers (Team – League)
Austin Barnes (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Alejandro Kirk (Toronto Blue Jays)
Infielders (Team – League)
Jonathan Aranda (Tampa Bay Rays)
Joey Meneses (Washington Nationals)
Isaac Paredes (Tampa Bay Rays)
Rowdy Tellez (Milwaukee Brewers)
Alan Trejo (Colorado Rockies)
Luis Urías (Milwaukee Brewers)
Roberto Valenzuela (Sultanes de Monterrey – LMB)
Outfielders (Team – League)
Randy Arozarena (Tampa Bay Rays)
José Cardona (Sultanes de Monterrey – LMB)
Jarren Duran (Boston Red Sox)
Alek Thomas (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Alex Verdugo (Boston Red Sox)
Coaching Staff
Manager – Benji Gil
Bench Coach – Vinny Castilla
Batting Coach – Jacob Cruz
Pitching Coach – Elmer Dessens
Bullpen Coach – Horacio Ramirez
First Base Coach – Gil Velazquez
Third Base Coach: Tony Perezchica
