Mexico could be one of the more entertaining teams at the World Baseball Classic this year, as it boasts talent from MLB, the NPB, and of course, the Mexican League.
While Mexico may not be touting the names of teams like the United States, the Dominican Republic, or Japan, it's a roster that is brimming with talent. Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías is a top name on the roster alongside Randy Arozarena and Alejandro Kirk.
Rays fans in particular will have a lot to look forward to, as there's a bit of a Rays platoon on Team Mexico. Arozarena is joined by Isaac Paredes and Jonathan Aranda. For the Brewers, Luis Urías -- part of Mexico's 2017 team -- will have teammate Rowdy Téllez by his side this time around.
Alex Verdugo, of course, was part of the trade that sent Mookie Betts to Los Angeles. Verdugo is another returning player from 2017, having been just 20 years old and a minor leaguer when he had his first WBC go-round with Mexico.
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Mexico World Baseball Classic 2023 roster
Team Mexico's 30-man roster has 15 pitchers on it, alongside two catchers and an even split of six outfielders and infielders apiece.
Pitchers
| Player | Team | Throws |
| Erubiel Armenta | Philadelphia Phillies | L |
| Javier Assad | Chicago Cubs | R |
| Luis Cessa | Cincinnati Reds | R |
| Jesús Cruz | Atlanta Braves | R |
| Giovanny Gallegos | St. Louis Cardinals | R |
| Gerardo Reyes | Los Angeles Angels | R |
| Wilmer Rios | Cincinnati Reds | R |
| JoJo Romero | St. Louis Cardinals | L |
| Jake Sanchez | San Diego Padres | R |
| Patrick Sandoval | Los Angeles Angels | L |
| Julio Urías | Los Angeles Dodgers | L |
| José Urquidy | Houston Astros | R |
| César Vargas | Orix Buffaloes | R |
| Taijuan Walker | Philadelphia Phillies | R |
| Samuel Zazueta | Yaquis de Obregón | L |
Catchers
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Alejandro Kirk | Toronto Blue Jays | R/R |
| Austin Barnes | Los Angeles Dodgers | R/R |
Infielders
| Player | Team | Position | Bats/Throws |
| Jonathan Aranda | Tampa Bay Rays | UTIL | L/R |
| Isaac Paredes | Tampa Bay Rays | UTIL | R/R |
| Rowdy Téllez | Milwaukee Brewers | 1B | L/L |
| Alan Trejo | Colorado Rockies | SS/2B | R/R |
| Luis Urías | Milwaukee Brewers | UTIL | R/R |
| Roberto Valenzuela | Sultanes de Monterrey | SS | R/R |
Outfielders
| Player | Team | Position | Bats/Throws |
| Randy Arozarena | Tampa Bay Rays | LF | R/R |
| José Cardona | Sultanes de Monterrey | OF | R/R |
| Jarren Duran | Boston Red Sox | CF | L/R |
| Joey Meneses | Washington Nationals | RF | R/R |
| Alek Thomas | Arizona Diamondbacks | CF | L/L |
| Alex Verdugo | Boston Red Sox | LF | L/L |
Mexico players to watch
It's difficult to imagine a team with more lineup options than Mexico. The entire infield roster barring Rowdy Téllez can play multiple positions, and Joey Meneses can play in the infield or outfield as needed.
However, in terms of truly key players, Randy Arozarena and Alek Thomas are going to be consistent presences in the outfield. Arozarena has hit 20 home runs in each of his two full MLB seasons, and he continues to be one of the more electric young players in the game -- even if the 2021 AL Rookie of the Year does have a tendency to get caught stealing. Thomas is part of the Diamondbacks' burgeoning young outfield, and he'll be playing on his home field in this Classic.
The pitching staff is headed up by Julio Urías, who finished third behind Sandy Alcantara and Max Fried in NL Cy Young voting last year. Patrick Sandoval will be another solid left-handed option. Catching the pitching staff will be the Blue Jays 2022 breakout Alejandro Kirk and the Dodgers' Austin Barnes, both of whom MLB fans will want to pay attention to.
MORE: World Baseball Classic 2023: MLB team-by-team roster breakdown
Who is coaching Mexico in the World Baseball Classic?
Helming Team Mexico it will be Benji Gil, a 50-year-old coach and former major leaguer born in Tijuana.
The Rangers selected Gil 19th overall in the 1991 MLB Draft, and he debuted in 1993. He spent time with the Rangers and Angels organizations and played at the MLB level, but he eventually began to float around different MiLB systems.
Gil started as a manager with Tomateros de Culiacán (Culiacán Tomatoes). Gil struggled in Culiacán, however, and was fired before being brought on for a second stint in which he won a championship before stepping down to spend time with his family.
Gil then took over the expansion franchise Mariachis de Guadalajara. His experience in Guadalajara was an immediate success, as he led the Mariachis to a 46-17 record in their first season before losing to the Toros de Tijuana in the playoffs. Gil took the reins for Team Mexico in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, but Mexico lost to Israel, Japan, and the Dominican Republic and did not medal. Gil is now part of the Angels coaching staff in addition to managing Mexico.
Mexico World Baseball Classic history
This will be Mexico's fifth World Baseball Classic, and it will look to top its previous best of sixth place in the inaugural WBC in 2006.
This may be the best roster Mexico has fielded, as it tries to get out of the first round for the first time since 2009.
| Year | Result | Final game |
| 2006 | Eliminated in second round | 2-1 win over USA |
| 2009 | Eliminated in second round | 7-4 loss to Cuba |
| 2013 | Eliminated in pools | 10-3 loss to Canada |
| 2017 | Eliminated in pools | 11-9 win over Venezuela |
| 2023 | TBD | TBD |
Mexico World Baseball Classic 2023 schedule
Team Mexico will be playing in Pool C at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona with the United States, Colombia, Great Britain, and Canada.
Mexico's first game will be on March 11 against Colombia at 2:30 p.m. ET to kick off play for the grouping.
Its final game in pool play will be against Canada on March 15.
Mexico has a difficult pool, but it can make it to quarterfinals if it finishes first or second in its group.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Channel (U.S.) |
| March 11 | Colombia vs. Mexico | 2:30 p.m. | Fox |
| March 12 | Mexico vs. USA | 10 p.m. | FS1 |
| March 14 | Great Britain vs. Mexico | 10 p.m. | FS1 |
| March 15 | Mexico vs. Canada | 3 p.m. | FS2 |
