Eight former Baseball Factory and Team One Baseball players were recently selected to represent the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, the world’s premier international baseball tournament.  Sixteen nations across six continents are currently competing through two preliminary rounds to be hosted in Tokyo, Mexico City, Toronto, San Juan, San Diego, and Miami.  This pool play will determine the semi-final and final match-ups scheduled for March 21-23 in Los Angeles, California.  China and defending champion, Japan, of Pool A kicked off first-round competition on March 5, and the U.S. began tournament play on March 7 against fellow Pool C competitor, Canada. 

United States

Among the 27 individuals named to the final U.S. roster are four Baseball Factory alumni representing four different major league teams.  Baseball Factory would like to recognize Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves), Ryan Braun (Milwaukee Brewers), David Wright (New York Mets) and Chris Iannetta (Colorado Rockies) for their selections to the 2009 squad.

Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann made his MLB debut in June 2005.  The 25 year-old from Athens, GA, was named to the Baseball America and Topps All-Rookie teams in 2005 and captured the NL Silver Slugger Award in 2006 with a .333 average.  He earned his first All-Star team selection in 2006 and agreed to terms on a six-year contract with Atlanta that includes a club option for a seventh year.  McCann participated in the 2001 Team One National Showcase.

Ryan Braun, LF for the Milwaukee Brewers, graduated from the University of Miami before making his Major League debut in May 2007.  Braun was named the Sporting News and Baseball America National League Rookie of the Year, in addition to receiving the Players Choice Award for Outstanding Rookie in the National League.  He had one of the greatest rookie seasons in Major League history, batting .324 with 34 HRs, 97 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.  His .634 slugging percentage led the National League and was the highest by a rookie in Major League history, breaking the record previously held by Mark McGwire.  Braun is a former Baseball Factory and Team One National player.

David Wright made his MLB debut with the New York Mets in July 2004.  The 3B was the recipient of MLB.com’s Rookie of the Year Award in 2004 and Most Outstanding Play of the Year Award in 2005.  In 2007, Wright became the third player in Mets’ history to hit 30 HRs and collect 30 stolen bases in a season, and he ranked seventh in the National League with his .325 batting average.  Last season he hit .302 with 33 HRs and 124 RBI’s and has been the Mets’ most-productive hitter over the past four seasons.  Wright participated in Baseball Factory’s Rookie Program and attended the Team One East Showcase in 1999.  In addition, Wright played at the Team One National Showcase and earned Baseball Factory All-American honors in 2000 and 2001.

Chris Iannetta, the 25-year-old catcher for the Colorado Rockies, attended UNC before debuting in the Major Leagues in August 2006.  The Rhode Island native posted the most RBIs and highest on-base percentage for a catcher in Rockies history during the 2008 season.  Iannetta is a 2000 alumnus from the Team One East Showcase.

Canada

Team Canada, lost a closely contested matchup against the United States in round one. Representing Canada in the classic are two Baseball Factory/Team One Alumni, Phillipe Aumont and Brett Lawrie.  Aumont was selected as the 11th overall pick in the 2007 Major League Draft by the Seattle Mariners.  The twenty-year old starting pitcher was the first player from Quebec to be drafted in the first round.  Aumont participated in the 2006 Cape Cod Classic with Baseball Factory. Lawrie, a third baseman drafted in the first round of the 2008 amateur draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, also participated in the Cape Cod Classic.  In addition, Brett was recognized as one of the top 100 high school players when he was named to the TAKKLE Top 100, powered by Baseball Factory.

Puerto Rico & Dominican Republic

Team Puerto Rico and Team Dominican Republic will also feature former Baseball Factory and Team One Baseball players. Felipe Lopez, currently a second baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, is playing for his homeland Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.  A former Team One National player, Lopez made his Major League debut in 2001 with the Toronto Blue Jays and played in the 2005 Major League All-Star Game.  Jose Bautista, a native of the Dominican Republic, is also a former Team One National player and is representing his country in this year’s tournament.  Bautista made his major league debut in 2004 with the Baltimore Orioles, and is currently a third baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays