Grading each team’s WBC performance

The 2023 World Baseball Classic is complete, so it’s time to break down the performances of all 20 participants. Here are our grades for every team listed alphabetically.

Australia: A-

The Aussies turned Pool D upside down, finishing in second place and advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time ever. Australia was able to take down South Korea in a tight opening game that essentially decided who would join Japan in the quarters, and only stubbed its toe in pool play against the powerful Japanese. The team, made up mostly of homegrown talent from the Australian Baseball League, displayed some impressive power, swatting seven homers in five games before a tight quarterfinal loss to Cuba ended its dream run. This goes down as Australia’s biggest baseball moment since winning a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics, and might even top that. It was especially fitting that former Brewers catcher Dave Nilsson, the first Australian to play in an MLB All-Star Game, managed this team into the history books.

Canada: C+

Once again, Canada had a golden opportunity to finally advance in the WBC, controlling its own destiny on the last day. And once again, Canada lost big to Mexico – the Canadians’ longtime white whale – to go home in the first round. In the short term, this is obviously a disappointing result for a talented baseball nation that didn’t have all of its best players available. But Canadian fans should also take comfort in the long-term signs for this team. Twins prospect Edouard Julien made a real run at Pool C MVP honors, hitting .538 with a pair of homers, while Phillies farmhand Noah Skirrow turned heads with five shutout innings against Colombia. Owen Caissie and Otto Lopez also had stellar tournaments at the plate. If nothing else, Canada showed just how dangerous its next generation of baseball talent has the potential to be down the road.

China: C-

Easily the most overmatched team in the tournament, China was mercy-ruled twice – including a 20-run to South Korea – and outscored 50-10 over four games en route to being relegated to the qualifiers. But take a step back and consider the circumstances that were hindering China in the WBC. The national team hadn’t played in a tournament since 2019 due to COVID-19. China’s professional baseball league, where nearly all of the national team members play, has also been shut down for the last three years. Most of these players hadn’t played in a competitive game at any level since before the pandemic. When you look at it that way, it’s almost a miracle that China managed to score 10 runs.

Chinese Taipei: C-

With home-field advantage in front of some absolutely rollicking crowds, and fairly even competition in Pool A, everything seemed to be set up perfectly for Chinese Taipei to advance. Instead, this proud baseball program – which entered the tournament ranked second in the world – finished fifth after tie-breakers, forcing them to re-qualify for the 2026 tournament. Yes, there were some great moments for Chinese Taipei, including Pool A MVP Yu Chang’s grand slam and catcher Kungkuan Giljegiljaw’s offensive heroics. But the end result for a team that hoped to send a message on the world stage was more than just bitter disappointment. It was the absolute worst-case scenario becoming reality.

Colombia: B-

If ever there was a team that didn’t deserve relegation, it’s this Colombian squad. Jolbert Cabrera’s players battled hard throughout Pool C, earning a gritty upset win against Mexico before making the Americans earn their way to Miami in the final game. The effort was even more impressive considering Colombia was without ace Jose Quintana, who had to bow out at the last moment because of a rib injury. Unfortunately, it was for not, as a loss to Great Britain gave the Brits fourth place via the head-to-head tiebreaker, meaning Colombia’s now forced to re-qualify for 2026. Sometimes, baseball is just cruel that way. Colombia is an up-and-coming baseball nation with plenty of talent, and should be a favorite to return to the main tournament when the time comes.

Cuba: B

How much of Cuba’s success had to do with the relatively even level of competition in the early rounds is a question worth asking. The Cubans, armed with MLB players and prospects in the affiliated minors for the first time ever, started slowly in Pool A before storming back to not only win the group on tiebreakers, but advance all the way to the semifinals. The first two losses in Taichung, Taiwan, were tight, while the wins against Panama and Chinese Taipei were blowouts. Cuba then let Australia hang around in the quarterfinal game en route to a one-run victory. The semifinal was a totally different story, though, as Cuba got thoroughly dismantled by the Americans. Was that blowout loss a product of a talented team’s jet lag – Cuba played the U.S. in Miami just four days after facing Australia in Tokyo – or the reality of facing a superior USA squad? Perhaps it was both. Regardless, getting back to the semifinals for the first time since the inaugural WBC was the result that a rebuilding Cuban national team needed, especially after it failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. That’s worth an extra point or two on the grading scale.

Czech Republic: A

Pavel Chadim’s team of (mostly) semi-pros who balance day jobs with their baseball careers beat China to secure a spot in the 2026 WBC, held a lead against Japan for two-plus innings, and contended for a spot in the quarterfinals until the very end, putting a scare into Australia along the way. An electrician named Ondrej Satoria who barely cracks 80 mph on the mound struck out Shohei Ohtani, the best player on earth. Even the most generous of expectations could not have predicted this kind of success for the fledgling Czech program. No baseball fan will forget this team’s grit and determination, which helped remind many of the beauty of baseball. This was also a monumental achievement for a passionate group of athletes who pour their hearts into what is a niche sport in their homeland. This run will surely bring baseball some more publicity in the Czech Republic and should help foster interest on a grassroots level – which is a huge part of why the World Baseball Classic exists.

Dominican Republic: F

Even after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had to withdraw, the Dominicans were being labeled as a dream team. There was no chance, most assumed, that this star-studded squad could lose at all, let alone in the first round – and yet that’s exactly what happened. It was only against the Pool D minnows that the Dominican Republic looked like the team everyone expected. Venezuela getting to Sandy Alcantara in the opener put the team on their heels early, and the elimination loss to Puerto Rico – a game in which the Dominicans controlled their own fate – featured some uncharacteristically sloppy play. When you enter the tournament as the betting favorites with a dream team label, you’ve got to produce. A close loss in the finals against another world powerhouse would be easier to swallow. A first-round exit is inexcusable.

Great Britain: B+

What a fine showing for Great Britain in its WBC debut. Armed with some quality talent, including top catching prospect Harry Ford and Dodgers outfielder Trayce Thompson, the Brits got a critical win against Colombia that clinched it a spot in the 2026 tournament, and was able to hang with both the U.S. and Mexico. This young squad did take plenty of lumps, with its mercy-rule loss to Canada and some very poor defensive play standing out. As far as overall first impressions go, though, Great Britain left a pretty good one. Between the sudden success of the national team and MLB’s multiple London games scheduled for the next few seasons, baseball’s clearly in the midst of a growth spurt in the United Kingdom.

Israel: C-

We’ll go a little easier on Israel because of a bad draw in Pool D, but that doesn’t ease the disappointment. Israel’s offense, which was supposed to be bolstered by the addition of Joc Pederson, went completely silent over its four games, eliminating any hope of another underdog run. The team recorded just one total hit during its mercy-rule losses to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and didn’t have a baserunner against Puerto Rico (it wasn’t counted as an official perfect game due to the mercy rule). Some consolation can be taken in the win over Nicaragua, which ensured qualification in 2026, and 19-year-old D-Backs prospect Jacob Steinmetz’s impressive start against the Dominicans. Israel’s baseball program has come a long way in the last decade and can easily recover from this setback. But the sting of this tournament will be felt for a good while.

Italy: A-

About the only thing that went wrong for Mike Piazza’s club was a lack of power – although things worked out pretty well for the team anyway. Italy made it to the quarterfinals for the first time ever despite hitting just one home run in five games, and none during pool play. This team simply did it the old-fashioned way, with timely hitting and shutdown pitching that included two brilliant starts from Matt Harvey. While its journey ended with a loss against an absolute buzzsaw in Japan, Piazza did a fantastic job guiding this club through some tough competition to get to Tokyo, with impressive wins against Cuba and The Netherlands. Italy’s always hung close to the Dutch as Europe’s second-best team, with the ability to grab an occasional upset win. Now, the program has a watershed moment to be proud of while building for even more success in three years.

Japan: A+

What more can you say? Samurai Japan entered the tournament as the world’s top-ranked team and showed everybody why. Japan became only the second nation to go undefeated in the WBC, joining the Dominican Republic in 2013. Masataka Yoshida, Shugo Maki, and Kazuma Okamoto all had two home runs, and Yoshida’s 13 RBIs tied a WBC record. Young phenoms Roki Sasaki and Munetaka Murakami dazzled on the big stage, whetting appetites for eventual moves to MLB in the coming years. And then there was tournament MVP Shohei Ohtani, who did everything on both sides of the ball and proved again that he’s the best player on Earth. Japan put on a baseball clinic over the last two weeks and is very deserving of being called world champion.

Mexico: A-

At last, the Mexicans found their groove in the WBC, advancing to the semifinals for the first time ever. Randy Arozarena led the way for Mexico with his dynamic two-way play and endearing personality, but there were other heroes from the team. First baseman Joey Meneses, one of the feel-good stories of the 2022 MLB season, crushed two homers against the U.S. in pool play and finished the tournament with a .963 OPS. Patrick Sandoval turned in two amazing starts, most notably against Japan in the semis. Although its run ended in a heartbreaking (and exciting) loss to the powerful Japanese club, Mexico can go home incredibly proud. It announced its presence as a top-tier baseball power and won’t be going away any time soon.

The Netherlands: C+

The Dutch were caught in the crossfire of Pool A’s five-way tie that was only solved by an incredibly complicated tiebreaking procedure. Pool A was always the most even group in this tournament, and at least one talented team was going to go home early as a result. But that’s not why The Netherlands lost. The fact is, a talented offense led by the likes of Xander Bogaerts and Jurickson Profar, was simply unable to get going. The Netherlands scored just 13 runs this year, compared to the 48 plated during a semifinal run in 2017. The Honkbalers also controlled their own destiny in the Pool A finale against Italy, but left the bases loaded en route to a 7-1 loss and a long flight home. Even if you give The Netherlands the benefit of the doubt with regard to how level Pool A was, it’s still a stinging result for a team coming off two straight WBC semifinal appearances whose goal was to finally take that next step.

Nicaragua: B-

Nicaragua’s fate was essentially sealed the moment it was placed in Pool D, and it only got worse from there. The Central American nation was unable to get a win in its WBC debut, with the most crushing loss coming in the opening game against fellow lightweight Israel. It was the one game Nicaragua had to have in order to be guaranteed a spot in the 2026 classic; instead, it now has to re-qualify, likely without the services of its few big-league players. Still, while clearly overmatched, Marvin Benard’s squad gets a slightly more positive grade for not making it too easy on the big boys. Nicaragua scored in all four games and did not lose by more than five runs. It also gave us one of the tournament’s best stories in pitcher Duque Hebbert, who struck out three Dominican All-Stars in his first inning outside of Nicaragua and was then signed by the Tigers on the spot.

Panama: B

Panama’s return to the world stage after a 14-year absence should be remembered fondly in that country. The offense exploded for 12 runs in an upset of Chinese Taipei, and it was a serious contender to make it to the quarterfinals before the messy Pool A tiebreaker ended those hopes. Former Mets infielder Ruben Tejada, now an elder statesman on this team, led the offense with a 1.042 OPS. It wasn’t a totally smooth ride for the Panamanians, who were thoroughly outclassed during their blowout loss to Cuba. However, the signs of what this program can be in the future were certainly there.

Puerto Rico: B-

At times, Puerto Rico looked dominant in Pool D. Marcus Stroman gave manager Yadier Molina two stellar starts, and the offense was clicking from day one, outscoring opponents 34-17 over the course of the tournament. Even Puerto Rico’s one Pool D loss to Venezuela was close, as the team almost erased an eight-run deficit. Unfortunately, the end of Puerto Rico’s tournament will not be remembered fondly. First, there was Edwin Diaz’s unfortunate knee injury while celebrating the win over its Dominican rivals. Without Diaz, the bullpen blew a lead against Mexico in the quarterfinals. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the two-time finalists, and the team’s stellar play over the course of the tournament will hardly serve as a consolation.

South Korea: D

It was another WBC to forget for South Korea. A dynamic roster that included most of the best players in the KBO, plus MLB players Ha-Seong Kim and Tommy Edman, was under immense pressure to get out of the first round for the first time since 2009. Instead, the script played out in nightmarish fashion that was reminiscent of 2017. Six years ago, South Korea lost a tight opener to Israel and never recovered; this year, it was a one-run opening loss to Australia, followed by a blowout defeat against Japan, that doomed the team. By the time the bats did get going against the far weaker Czechs and Chinese, it was far too late. The 22-run outburst against China spared South Korea from having to re-qualify, although that’s likely to be of little solace to a country that prides itself on being a top baseball nation. Something is going to have to change for this program to get back to that level.

United States: B+

Team USA nearly repeated as WBC champion. The offense hummed along all tournament, led by shortstop Trea Turner out of the nine-hole. The full brunt of its offensive force was seen during a 14-2 dismantling of Cuba in the semifinals. However, the pitching staff left something to be desired. Merrill Kelly is a solid mid-rotation arm but isn’t who you want on the mound in a win-or-go-home situation like the WBC final. Unfortunately for the U.S., depth issues left Kelly as the only choice for that game. First-time skipper Mark DeRosa’s bullpen management also came into question, especially during the knockout rounds. DeRosa had Ryan Pressly rested and ready during the final but didn’t turn to the All-Star stopper against Japan. He also waited too long to pull Daniel Bard during his wild outing against Venezuela that nearly cost the Americans a semifinal spot. The U.S. made it back to the final, as expected, so in that sense, this tournament was a success, but things could have obviously gone better. Perhaps if Team USA brings its best pitchers in 2026, that will happen.

Venezuela: A-

The end result may not have been what it wanted, but Venezuela’s tournament was a win for the program overall. Instead of the Dominicans steamrolling Pool D, it was the Venezuelans who played the role of juggernaut, going undefeated in pool play while outscoring their competition 23-9. Anthony Santander and Salvador Perez were monsters at the plate for the entire tournament. And manager Omar Lopez’s club did this without some of its biggest stars, including both Willson and William Contreras. Pretty much everything was clicking for this team – that is, until the top of the eighth against the United States, when Trea Turner’s grand slam left a stunned Venezuela heading home with nothing. Still, Venezuela’s performance served to erase memories of a thoroughly disappointing 2017 WBC, while reestablishing the team as a legitimate threat on the world stage.

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