WBC roster breakdown: Canada

February 26, 9:33 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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AP Photo/Steven Senne

Team Canada’s roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic is a pretty interesting group – there are mega-stars like Jason Bay, Justin Morneau, and Russell Martin.  There are top prospects, like Philippe Aumont and Scott Richmond.  There are also battle-tested veterans like Matt Stairs and Corey Koskie – with Koskie even using the WBC stage as an audition for a major league comeback.  Here’s my breakdown of the Canadian 2009 WBC roster:

• Pitchers: Phillippe Aumont, Chris Begg, T.J. Burton, Jesse Crain, David Davidson, Scott Diamond, Bryan Dumesnil, Steve Green, Mike Johnson, Chris Leroux, Brooks McNiven, Vince Perkins, Scott Richmond

Blue Jays prospect Scott Richmond is the ace of the Canadian staff, with Jesse Crain (Twins) holding things down in the bullpen.  Mariners prospect Phillippe Aumont should be interesting to watch, but other than that only Davidson, Johnson, and Green have any big league experience.

• Catchers: Luke Carlin, Brett Lawrie, Russell Martin

Martin is a star for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Canadian WBC team as well.  Luke Carlin is a capable backup, and Brett Lawrie is a (very) young catching prospect.

• Infielders: Chris Barnwell, Shawn Bowman, Stubby Clapp, Corey Koskie, Justin Morneau, Pete Orr, Joey Votto

Morneau (Twins) and Votto (Reds) provide big time left-handed power, but they both play the same position.  Koskie is returning to baseball following a serious concussion suffered in 2006 – if healthy he provides power at third base and an excellent glove.  Middle infielders Pete Orr and Chris Barnwell have big league experience, and Stubby Clapp has been around the game for a while.

• Outfielders: Jason Bay, Matt Stairs, Adam Stern, Mark Teahen, Nicholas Weglarz

Bay (Red Sox) is an established big league star, and Teahen (Kansas City) is a solid hitter as well.  Matt Stairs is a great veteran bat to have on the bench, and Adam Stern has some experience playing center field in the majors.

Notable absences from 2006 roster: Erik Bedard (P), Jeff Francis (P), Scott Thorman (1B), Aaron Guiel (OF), Rheal Cormier (P), Paul Quantrill (P)

It may be somewhat surprising that so much big league talent comes out of Canada, and the trio of Martin, Morneau, and Bay should make this team fun to watch in the 2009 tournament.  Ultimately they don’t have enough pitching to seriously compete, but they could win a few slug-fests.