2017 World Baseball Classic [Part 5]

There have been four World Baseball Classics played. Japan won the first 2. They've played deep into the others. In 2017 they swept Cuba, Australia and China in round 1, then swept the Netherlands, Israel and Cuba (again) in round 2 to easily make the semi-finals. There they met the United States and lost a 2-1 nail biter.

Japan has their own professional league so MLB players aren't too common. Usually they stay in Japan at the height of their careers. Usually a player might go on to play in America, but as far as 2017 is concerned, Aoki is all there is.
Nothing too tempting about his card. You can do better, only use if you want a Team Japan card.

[South] Korea were runner-up to Japan in 2009 and has a respectable enough resume. They kicked off the 2017 tournament and were shocked in 10 innings by the upstart Israel team. They turned around the next day and lost to the Netherlands 5-0. Already eliminated, they saved face by at least beating Taiwan 11-8 in 10 innings.

Again, Korea has their own league as well. Oh can find his uses, just not as your closer, if he even makes your bullpen to begin with.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands opened up their 2017 run by shutting out Korea and surviving Taiwan. They were expected to beat Israel but since both teams already clinched, there was only pride on the line, leading to the underdog Israel to win 4-2. Netherlands got their revenge when it counted in round 2 when they won 12-2 right after they lost to Japan (8-6). Couple days later they destroyed Cuba 14-1 to advance to the semi-finals where they fell to Puerto Rico 4-3.

Sir Didi is an excellent choice for shortstop. Nice power, great defense, lefty hitter and an acceptable 7 on-base. He puts the ball in play, too, not settling for either strikeouts or walks.

Bogaerts makes for a good discount Didi. Higher on-base, but you sacrifice the power and defense. Take the defense over the slightly higher on-base.

Good God look at those strikeouts! And that control! And just 18 for flyballs? If you bring in Jansen for the save, you're in good shape to win.

My goodness Jurickson, pick up some weights. Don't bother with this guy.

Schoop can find his way onto some teams with that chart. That +4 defense helps a lot too. Makes the 7 on-base not a deal breaker.

His defense is WHAT? +8? Get this man on your bench before the Bot fixes that error!

Taiwan went 0-3 in 2017. After a loss to upstart Israel, they took the Netherlands to the limit before falling 6-5. Already eliminated, they met up with fellow 0-2 South Korea where they lost in 10 innings 11-8. Because China sucks, they want Taiwan known as their property, but screw em.

Hands down the worst card in the 2017 WBC set. Your eyes do not deceive you, he really has 0 innings. He also gives up homers at 19-20 with the advantage. Avoid at all cost.