Phillies: Four Players to Represent Venezuela in World Baseball Classic

Multiple Phillies, past and present, will represent Venezuelan during the World Baseball Classic

Talk about a loaded roster. Cuba and the Dominican Republic have long been known for producing major league talent, but it appears Venezuela is beginning to run away with the crown.

Four current Phillies will represent Venezuela next year during the World Baseball Classic, an international tournament featuring players from Major League Baseball and other professional leagues.

Phillies young stars Odubel Herrera, Freddy Galvis, Jenamar Gomez, and Edubray Ramos will don the Venezuelan uniform. Former Phillies Elvis Arajuo, Carlos Carrasco and Ender Inciarte will also be on hand.

Venezuela’s roster is loaded at nearly every position possible this year. Felix Hernandez, Miguel Cabrera, Jose Altuve, Victor Martinez, Hector Rondon, Carlos Gonzalez, Rougned Odor, Martin Prado, and Elvis Andrus sound more like an All-Star game line-up than just a handful of players on a roster.

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Hopefully Herrera, Galvis, Gomez, and Ramos will benefit from playing against tougher competition and being around veterans such as Miguel Cabrera and Felix Hernandez.

As long as those four return to Philadelphia healthy, I’m all for them representing their country on this stage.

Several remaining World Baseball Classic rosters have not yet been announced, including the United States. Others with ties to Philadelphia such as Carlos Ruiz (Panama) will be on-hand, while rosters such as the Dominican Republic could potentially include Maikel Franco or Hector Neris.