WBC roster breakdown: Australia

March 3, 8:04 PMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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Australia has produced some big league talent in recent years – not surprising given it’s warm climate, but somewhat surprising given the competition with other sports such as cricket.  Despite this struggle for popularity, Australia has produced the likes of Dave Nilsson, Graeme Lloyd, and Grant Balfour who have all been contributors to major league teams.  Here’s a look at their 2009 WBC roster:

• Pitchers: Craig Anderson, Travis Blackley, Adam Bright, Tristan Crawford, Liam Hendriks, Joshua Hill, Paul Mildren, Damian Moss, Drew Naylor, Chris Oxspring, Brad Thomas, Rich Thompson, David Welch, Brendan Wise

Moss is the most successful pitcher in this group – he has a big league record of 22-19 in four seasons.  Blackley, Oxspring, Thomas, and Thompson have limited big league experience.  Drew Naylor is one the Phillies 40-man roster, and David Welch went 11-4 in 2008 for the Brewers Double A affiliate. 

• Catchers: Andrew Graham, Joel Naughton

Graham has played as high as Triple A in the Tigers farm system, and Naughton has improved steadily over four minor league seasons.

• Infielders: James Beresford, Daniel Berg, Michael Collins, Brad Harman, Justin Huber, Luke Hughes, Ben Risinger, Stefan Welch

Brad Harman has pretty good minor league numbers and has seen some time at shortstop for the Phillies.  Justin Huber was once a very highly rated first base prospect with the Mets and Royals organizations.

• Outfielders: Mitch Dening, Trent Oeltjen, Brett Roneberg, Chris Snelling

Snelling was a top outfield prospect in the Mariners organization before his career was derailed by injuries.  Roneberg has played as high as Triple A and has 79 homers in the minor leagues, while Oeltjen hit .317 in Triple A Tucson (Arizona affiliate) in 2008.

Notable Absences: Peter Moylan, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Phil Stockman, Dave Nilsson, Grant Balfour

There’s some talent there to be sure, but not enough to keep Australia competitive in the 2009 WBC tournament.  They will likely continue to send players to the minor and major leagues, with a few solid players emerging from the pool.  I just don’t see baseball ever becoming dominant enough in the country to have a major effect on the WBC.