Astros Players Excited For Opportunity To Compete In WBC

The Houston Astros have 14 players ready to represent 7 countries in the World Baseball Classic beginning in March.

Ryan Pressly was on the mound when the Houston Astros recorded the final out to secure their second World Series title since 2017.

Before the Astros attempt to repeat the feat in 2023, Pressly and a number of other Astros will be competing in the World Baseball Classic beginning in March.

Pressly will be pitching for Team USA.

Pressly produced a 2.98 ERA with 33 saves in the regular season. He was then sensational in the playoffs with a 0.00 ERA in 10 appearances with six saves.

“It’s just going to be fun,” Pressly said of competing in the WBC. “I’m looking forward to getting out there and putting the country across my chest, man. That’s something that I always wanted to do.”

Bryan Abreu, who will pitch for the Dominican Republic, echoed similar thoughts.

“I’m pretty excited,” he said. “I’m representing my country for the first time. There’s some really good players who were born in the Dominican, and to be able to represent them, that makes me happy.”

Abreu had a 1.94 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings in 2022. In the playoffs, he was even better as he struck out 19 batters in 11 1/3 scoreless innings.

The Astros have 14 players representing seven different countries named to the WBC.

Six Astros were named on the Dominican Republic's roster: pitchers Abreu, Ronel Blanco, Cristian Javier, Rafael Montero and Hector Neris along with shortstop Jeremy Peña. Blanco is in the designated pitcher pool and could be added to the Dominican's active roster in one or more consecutive rounds.

The Astros will have two players compete for the United States -- Pressly and right fielder Kyle Tucker. Second baseman Jose Altuve and pitcher Luis Garcia will play for Team Venezuela. The two other Astros Major Leaguers scheduled to play in the WBC are pitcher José Urquidy (Mexico) and catcher Martín Maldonado (Puerto Rico).

In addition, two Astros Minor Leaguers will participate in the WBC – pitcher Colton Gordon (Israel) and Derek West (Netherlands).

The WBC will be played from March 8-21 and will feature 20 teams. There are four pools which each include five teams. 

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