The best pitchers, catchers and sluggers are set to compete next month in one of baseball's biggest international events for the first time since 2017.
Canada is one of the 20 nations eyeing the World Baseball Classic crown, and has entrusted two Tri-Cities-trained athletes in delivering heaters on the hill.
Pitchers Curtis Taylor and Indigo Diaz are alumni of the Coquitlam Reds' BC premier junior league team.
Both are currently in the minor system and have yet to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) since turning pro, but that could change should they put up some numbers at the 2023 tournament.
Taylor, a Port Coquitlam product, is in the Chicago Cubs' organization, while Diaz is with the New York Yankees. Both were acquired by their respective teams in the final weeks of 2022.
Last year, Taylor hopped between three different levels of the Washington Nationals' minor clubs.
The 27-year-old right-handed hurler was able to reach AAA status — one step below the major league — and recorded 52 strikeouts over 46 innings, as well as a 3.91 ERA.
Taylor, also an alumni of Coquitlam Little League, was originally drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft, and even spent some time in the Toronto Blue Jays' system.
The Coquitlam Little League alum played more than 255 innings in 147 professional games across eight different leagues in the minors.
Meanwhile, Diaz is expected to join the Yankees' AAA affiliate after the World Baseball Classic as he's considered a highly-touted prospect that could provide a lot of depth.
The 24-year-old right-hander has been in the minor system for the last three seasons since he was picked by the Atlanta Braves in the 27th round of the 2019 MLB Draft.
He struck out 63 batters in just under 50 innings with the Mississippi Braves in the AA Southern League.
His breakout year was in 2021, striking out 85 batters across 45 innings to earn the AA promotion.
Taylor and Diaz will join big-leaguers like Freddie Freeman (Los Angeles Dodgers), Cal Quantrill (Cleveland Guardians) and Matt Brash (Seattle Mariners) on Canada's roster for the World Baseball Classic.
They're also two of 10 total athletes from B.C. on the 30-player squad that automatically qualified for the 2023 event.
Canada has appeared in every tournament since its inception in 2006, when they also recorded their best-ever finish in ninth place.
The red and white will play four preliminary games at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz., and must finish in the top two of their respective group to advance to the playoff round.
Canada's 2023 World Baseball Classic schedule is as follows:
- March 12, 11 a.m. vs. Great Britain
- March 13, 6 p.m. vs. United States (defending champion)
- March 14, 11 a.m. vs. Colombia
- March 15, 11 a.m. vs. Mexico
