WBC roster breakdown: The United States

March 3, 9:35 AMMLB ExaminerAlex Brown

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AP Photo/Tony Dejak

Baseball was born in the United States, but one must only look back to the 2006 World Baseball Classic to see how truly global the game has become.  The United States had high hopes for the tournament, but failed to make the semi-final round.  Compared to the 2006 squad, the 2009 team looks to be put together more carefully.  Here’s a look at the roster:

• Pitchers: Heath Bell, Jonathan Broxton, John Grabow, Jeremy Guthrie, Joel Hanrahan, LaTroy Hawkins, J.P. Howell, Ted Lilly, Matt Lindstrom, Roy Oswalt, Jake Peavy, J.J. Putz, Scot Shields, Matt Thornton, Brad Ziegler

The rotation is strong at the top with Peavy and Oswalt, and Lilly and Guthrie at the bottom isn’t too bad either.  Putz or Broxton will close, and Shields and Lindstrom are capable setup men.  Grabow and Howell will handle the top lefty hitters.

• Catchers: Chris Iannetta, Brian McCann

Iannetta and McCann come together for form a nice righy/lefty hitting catcher combo.  Both are two of the best young catchers in the game today.

• Infielders: Mark DeRosa, Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, Dustin Pedroia, Jimmy Rollins, David Wright, Kevin Youkilis

2008 MVP Pedroia will play second base, with former MVP Jimmy Rollins at shortstop and Pedroia’s teammate Kevin Youkilis at first.  The U.S. infield may be the team’s biggest strength both offensively and defensively.

• Outfielders: Ryan Braun, Adam Dunn, Curtis Granderson, Shane Victorino

Braun, Granderson, and Dunn are the likely starters.  Granderson (pictured) anchors the outfield in center – he hits for power, average, and has speed and defensive ability.  Dunn and Braun provide the power, and Victorino could see time as a defensive replacement or pinch runner.

Notable Absences: Mark Teixeira, Chase Utley, Brad Lidge, Joe Nathan, Matt Holliday, Derrek Lee

The pressure is on this team to perform better in 2009.  No longer the most dominant country in the baseball world, the U.S. will look to get past teams like Japan, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic to reclaim superiority on the diamond.