`Ryu Joong-il is not the only problem in Japan' Australia joins MLB as a top-rated prospect
Oct 10, 2024
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The Australian Baseball Association unveiled a 28-man roster to participate in the `Premier 12' on the 10th (Korea time). Most of the familiar faces that were seen at last year's WBC were selected. Most of the players played in the Australian League and the U.S. Minor League. However, Jack O'Rourkelyn, a triple-A pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, who took the mound as a surprise starter against Korea in the WBC last year, was excluded from the list.
A large number of familiar veterans were also selected. Veteran pitcher Warwick Suffold, who played for Hanwha Eagles in the past and also played in WBC last year, outfielder Tim Kennelly, an iconic player in Australian baseball, and veteran catcher Robbie Perkins were also listed.
Catcher Alex Hall, a former MVP of the Australian League, Rickson Wingrove, a representative first baseman of the Australian League, and Robbie Glendinning, who hit the winning home run against Korea, will also wear national uniforms again.
Also noteworthy are Aaron Whitefield and Lewis Thorpe, who are former major leaguers.
The most prominent name is infielder Travis Bazana. Bazana is the first Australian to be drafted first overall in the U.S. Major League Baseball rookie draft in July. Bajana, who has played for the national youth team since then, received the Cleveland Guardians' No. 1 overall pick in the rookie draft, drawing tremendous attention. He is also a top-rated prospect who ranked 12th in the overall rankings of prospects in the Major League Pipeline. He is the highest-ranked second baseman and is a top prospect in the Major League.
The Australian national team will hold a group training session in Japan's pepper city from November 1 to 10 and then play the opening game of 'Premier12' against Japan in Nagoya on November 13.
◆ Australian Premier 12 Final Entry
◇ Pitcher
Team Atherton
Josh Geyer, please
Sam Holland
John Kennedy
Steve Kent
Dan McGrath
Mitch Nunborn
Warwick Suffold
Will Sherif
Louis Thorpe
Blake Townsend
Tud Van Steensell
Luke Wilkins
Coen WIN
◇Absorption
Ryan Battaglia
Alex Hall
Robbie Perkins
◇ an infielder
Jake Bowie
Rickson Wingrove
Travis Bazana
Jared Dale
Robbie Glendinning
Daryl George
Liamspence
◇ Outdoor field
Jülich Boyarski
Tim Kennelly
Aaron Whitefield
Solomon Maguire
youll@sportschosun.com
