MLB Scoop

Australia has been cited as a prime area of emerging talent in the baseball world for the past decade, but the Aussies underperformed greatly at the 2006 World Baseball Classic.  In 2009, they have been seeded alongside Mexico, Cuba and South Africa.  While this group is not easy, it is possibly the most favorable trio of teams the Aussies could have realistically asked for.  With a roster of major league and minor league players, Australia has the opportunity to make a statement at the 2009 World Baseball Classic by pipping the Cubans or the Mexicans and advancing to the second round.  The Mexicans will have home field advantage and the Cubans have the advantage of being in mid-season form and playing together regularly on the international stage, but talent-wise, the Aussies can field a starting 9 that has the ability to take their rivals out.

Here is the Australian depth chart:

Catcher: Australia’s most famous major leaguer may have been a catcher, Dave Nilsson, but since he’s long since retired there’s no real solid Aussie backstop candidate.  Justin Huber used to play there, but since Huber’s bat will play anywhere in the Aussie lineup it is likely they will go for another catcher.  Angels prospect Michael Collins is another possibility here, but he has also moved to first base.   Joel Naughton, who played half a season for the Phillies’ Sally League team the Lakewood BlueClaws, and participated in the Olympic qualifiers for Australia, may feature behind the plate.  Andrew Utting and Mat Kent are other catchers who appeared on the Olympic roster.

First Base: Justin Huber will be the likely starter at first base for the Aussies.  While Huber has yet to win himself a consistent MLB job, he has excelled in his minor league career and should cause plenty of problems for the Cuban, Mexican and South African pitchers.  If Huber goes to the outfield, then Michael Collins could play here.

Second Base:  Luke Hughes played in the Twins organization in 2008, spending time at AA and AAA.  He was outstanding in 285 AA at bats, hitting 15 home runs and posting .319 BA/ .385 OBP / .551 SLG, numbers anyone would love to have from a second baseman.

Third Base: Adam Morrisey played second base and third base for the Arkansas Travelers (AA, Angels) and Salt Lake Bees (AAA, Angels) in 2008.  The 27 year-old hit .280 and .299 with some power in AA and AAA respectively.

Shortstop:  Brad Harman had a cup of coffee with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies this year when Jimmy Rollins was out hurt and has done well at the A-ball level in the USA.  He has also competed for Australia internationally before, including in the 2006 Classic. He primarily plays second base but he spent plenty of time at short.

Outfield: Chris Snelling is a former top prospect who spent time this season with the Phillies AAA squad, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.  Trent Oeltjen is another AAA player, he was in the Diamondbacks system in 2008, who should feature for the Aussies.  Oeltjen hit .317 in a full season for the Tuscon Sidewinders.  James Linger (Braves, A ball) and Daniel Berg (Twins, A ball) could feature.

Pitchers:  Major League hurlers like Grant Balfour (Rays) and Ryan Rowland-Smith (Mariners) could be the aces of the staff and standout on the mound for the Aussies.  Peter Molyan (Braves) probably will not play because of the Tommy John surgery he had less than a year before the tourney, but he would join those two if he did somehow.  The rest of the Australian staff should consist of former major leaguers and current minor leaguers like John Stephens, Travis Blackley, Adam Blackley, Brad Thomas and Brendan Wise.

Outlook:  The Aussies have a real chance to surprise some people.  Their roster will mostly be made up of bush league players but against the likes of Cuba, Mexico and South Africa that may not be such a bad thing.  While I wouldn’t expect them to advance to the second round, I would not be surprised if they did.