MLB Showdown Obsession

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, K...

 Now for the neighbors of the USA! Canadaaaaaaa has been in all 4 WBCs, with decreasing results. The initial competition saw them win 2 games in the first round and just barely miss the cut to advance...then they didn't win any games the next time up, having to qualify for the 2013 battle where they only won one game and were eliminated yet again early. 2017 was yet another shutout against Canada, where the Americans, Dominicans and Colombians overpowered them to a combined 21-3. Freeman is a fantastic option, with a glorious 10 on-base, solid chart, perfect +1 defense at first base and nice third base coverage. You got options with Freddie. Only 3 players on Canada that put in work in the big leagues in 2017, and Albers is an example of why there weren't more. Andrew lacks the length to justify that poor control. Pivetta has the same innings issue, but with the added bonus of even worse control. Look elsewhere from Canada to fill out your rotation. ...And then there's Mexi...

Puerto Rico finished 2nd to the Dominican Republic last time. In 2017, they hit the ground running by sweeping their pool in round 1 with a combined score of 29-7. Round 2 pitted them in a rematch from the previous finals where they finally topped the Dominican Republic 3-1, then they squeaked by the United States 6-5. Finally, they destroyed Venezuela 13-2. In the semi-finals, they needed 11 innings but ultimately beat out the Netherlands, punching their return ticket to the finals. Their journey to finally win in the finals ended, this time by Marcus Stroman and the US, paying them back and then some for the previous meeting in the tournament. Molina was one of the pool MVPs, so to honor that achievement , he'll get the Super Season designation. Not his best defense, but a great chart for any hitter. Another MVP from Puerto Rico. Just like Molina, acceptable defense and a great chart. Switch hitter strategy cards should do even more for that 8 on-base. Not thrilled about that on-...

 As I continue the trek through the 2017 WBC participants (who played in the MLB that year and were able to generate a card) we move on to another country with enough players to hold their own solo update. Venezuela. Socialism may have ruined their country, but dang, they can still produce some talent. Venezuela began their 2017 journey against Puerto Rico where they got destroyed 11-0. The pain only stopped because of the mercy rule. They rebounded with an 11-10 10 inning triumph against Italy. They had a chance to advance the easy way against Mexico, but they fell 11-9, causing a 3-way tie for the 2nd spot in their pool. A controversial tie-breaking ousted Mexico and had a face off against Italy for the right to advance to round 2. They beat the Italians again 4-3 and moved on. Round 2 put Venezuela in the most unfair pool possible. They had to run the gauntlet of the 3-0 Puerto Ricans, defending champion Dominican Republic, and the future champion United States. They got swept o...