The WBC is Under Way

I really didn't pay attention to the WBC in 2006 but this year the WBC seems to have a different feel to it. This is a great way to get a look at some prospects that are playing for their respective countries or getting more PT as teammates left for the WBC. You can view a list of all the WBC roster here. The first major upset occurred yesterday when the Netherlands, lead by Sidney Ponson, beat Edision Volquez and the Dominican Republic 3-2. The USA beat Canada 6-5 in what was a very intense game as USA looked to avenge the loss in the WBC from 2006. Joey Votto was 4-5 with a double and HR for team Canada. The USA will take on Venezuela tonight at 8:00 pm on ESPN. Team Japan has a couple of interesting players, Yu Darvish (SP) and Norichika Aoki (OF), that are worth keeping an eye on. Most people have heard of Darvish but Aoki is an Ichirio type player, he has a won batting title and set the Central League record for hits in a season with 202 in 2005, that could become a viable fantasy option if he makes it to the MLB. The current global economic slump may lead to more Japanese players coming to MLB because the teams in Japan are owned by corporations that may be in desperate need of cash and sending Darvish, who claims he has no ambition to play here, to the Yankees for $100 million could sure up a balance sheet in a hurry.

Phillippe Aumont- Seattle Mariners (RHP), ranked #93 on Baseball America's list of Prospects, looked pretty impressive in his appearance against USA yesterday. You can view his Pitch F/X which shows his movement, velocity and location of his pitches here.

I know I am a homer but John Mayberry Jr, of the Phillies, is making the case to be the right handed bat to come off the bench for the Phils. In 8 games, he is hitting .292 with a SLG % of .625 while hitting 2 HR and 8 RBI. Mayberry came from Texas in a swap of minor league players and he played his college ball at Stanford. He has the distinction of being selected in the 1st rd twice as he failed to sign out of high school. He is a giant at 6'6 and 230 LBS and has the ability to hit some deep HRs as he hit a ball over Frenchy's Bar in left field at Clearwater yesterday.

Other News:
Peter Gammons raving about Marlins prospect Mike Stanton

USA Today Fantasy Chat with Ron Shandler

Article about Mets pitching prospect Jon Niese

Article about Joba and a mechanical flaw in his delivery

MLB.com on Orioles System

MLB.com article about Mike Stanton and Matt Dominguez from the Marlins