Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic roster: Juan Soto, Manny Machado headline 2023 WBC team

Kevin Skiver

Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic roster: Juan Soto, Manny Machado headline 2023 WBC team image

When looking at World Baseball Classic rosters, it's difficult to not fawn over the lineup the Dominican Republic is trotting out.

This roster is utterly loaded. There's a Rookie of the Year, a Cy Young winner, an MVP runner up, and a Home Run Derby winner at first blush -- and that's just accolades from the 2022 season. It's essentially an MLB All-Star team.

While that guarantees the Dominican Republic nothing in the scheme of the tournament, it certainly makes it must-see TV. Some of these players took the stage in the championship-winning Caribbean Series team, including Robinson Canó. Others -- or rather, one other -- are player-GM Nelson Cruz, who is pulling double duty.

As for the superstars, there are plenty to speak of. Juan Soto and Julio Rodríguez are in the outfield; Manny Machado, Wander Franco, Rafael Devers and Jeremy Peña are in the infield, and Sandy Alcántara will be on the pitching staff. The Dominican Republic has found itself the odds-on favorite to win this year's championship and join Japan as multi-World Baseball Classic winners, and that isn't by accident.

MORE: 2023 World Baseball Classic: 10 pitcher-hitter matchups we can't wait to see

Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic 2023 roster

There's stacked, and then there's whatever you'd call the Dominican Republic roster.

Among their starting pitchers are Sandy Alcántara and Cristian Javier, the latter of whom was the figurehead of an Astros no-hitter in the World Series. In the bullpen, however, is where the pitching staff shines. Rafael Montero, Héctor Neris, and Gregory Soto can all go in late-game situations, and Camilo Doval and Bryan Abreu can put out fires.

The field doesn't have any weak spots. The Dominican Republic is three deep at shortstop with Willy Adames, Jeremy Peña, and Wander Franco. At third base, they have Manny Machado and Rafael Devers. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was slated to start at first, but he was ruled out with a knee injury.

In the outfield, meanwhile, the Mariners will be well-represented with AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodríguez and new acquisition Teoscar Hernández. Juan Soto and Nelson Cruz are also in the outfield. Gary Sanchez and the Rays' Francisco Mejía round things out at catcher.

Pitchers

Player Team Throws
Bryan Abreu Houston Astros R
Sandy Alcántara Miami Marlins R
Diego Castillo Seattle Mariners R
Roansy Contreras Pittsburgh Pirates R
Johnny Cueto Miami Marlins R
Camilo Doval San Francisco Giants R
Jarlín García Pittsburgh Pirates L
Luis García San Diego Padres R
Yimi García Toronto Blue Jays R
Cristian Javier Houston Astros R
José Leclerc Texas Rangers R
Rafael Montero Houston Astros R
Héctor Neris Houston Astros R
Gregory Soto Philadelphia Phillies L

Catchers

Player Team Bats/Throws
Francisco Mejía Tampa Bay Rays R/R
Gary Sanchez Free Agent R/R

Infielders 

Player Team Position Bats/Throws
Willy Adames Milwaukee Brewers SS R/R
Robinson Canó Free Agent 2B L/R
Rafael Devers Boston Red Sox 3B L/R
Wander Franco Tampa Bay Rays SS S/R
Manny Machado San Diego Padres 3B R/R
Ketel Marte Arizona Diamondbacks 2B S/R
Jeremy Peña Houston Astros SS R/R
Jean Segura Miami Marlins 2B R/R

Outfielders

Player Team Position Bats/Throws
Nelson Cruz San Diego Padres RF R/R
Teoscar Hernández Seattle Mariners RF R/R
Eloy Jiménez Chicago White Sox LF R/R
Julio Rodríguez Seattle Mariners CF R/R
Juan Soto San Diego Padres RF L/L

MORE: World Baseball Classic odds: USA, Dominican Republic among the favorites to win WBC

(Getty Images)

Dominican Republic players to watch

Players to watch for the DR will be whoever is at the plate at the time.

Want power? Manny Machado, Rafael Devers, Julio Rodríguez, Willy Adames, and Juan Soto can sate that. Consistency? Wander Franco, Jeremy Peña, and Jean Segura have it covered.

On the mound, NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcántara will be a player to watch alongside Cristian Javier. Out of the bullpen, the parade of Astros will continue with Bryan Abreu, Rafael Montero and Héctor Neris getting serious innings. Camilo Doval and Phillies fans' first glimpse of Gregory Soto in a different uniform are among the other key players dealing for the Dominicans.

Cristian Javier
Getty Images

MORE: World Baseball Classic 2023: MLB team-by-team roster breakdown

Who is coaching the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic?

The Dominican Republic's manager is not as front-facing as its roster. Rodney Linares, the bench coach of the Rays -- and thus possibly next in line for a manager job down the road -- will be coaching the Dominican Republic.

Linares was promoted to bench coach by the Rays after the Royals hired his predecessor, Matt Quatraro, as their new manager. Linares has been coaching in MLB for the past four years and has decades of experience coaching in the minor leagues.

The sheer talent on the Dominican Republic presents a few interesting problems for Linares to solve, specifically who plays when. It's a team that's so good it feels like no lineup can be "wrong," but only nine players can be on the field at a time.

This will be Linares' first time managing in the World Baseball Classic.

Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic history

The Dominican Republic is one of three countries to have won the World Baseball Classic, having defeated Puerto Rico 3-0 in the 2013 final.

It has made it to the semifinal round twice, and been bounced in the first round one time back in 2009, when it was pooled with the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, and Panama.

The Dominican Republic went undefeated in its championship run in 2013, giving up a total of just 14 runs over eight games. It's the only time a team has gone undefeated in World Baseball Classic to date.

Year Result Final game
2006 Finished in fourth place 3-1 loss to Cuba
2009 Eliminated in pools 2-1 loss to Netherlands
2013 Won Championship 3-0 win over Puerto Rico
2017 Eliminated in second round 6-3 loss to USA
2023 TBD TBD

Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic 2023 schedule

The Dominican Republic will be playing in a very fun Pool D at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

Its group includes Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Israel.

The Dominican Republic's tournament will begin against Ronald Acuña Jr., Miguel Cabrera, and the Venezuela squad on March 11.

Pools will end against Puerto Rico on March 15.

Date Game Time (ET) Channel (U.S.)
March 11 Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela 7 p.m. FS1
March 13 Dominican Republic vs. Nicaragua 12 p.m. FS2
March 14 Israel vs. Dominican Republic 7 p.m. FS2
March 15 Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic 7 p.m. FS2

Kevin Skiver

Kevin Skiver Photo

Kevin Skiver has been a content producer at Sporting News since 2021. He previously worked at CBS Sports as a trending topics writer, and now writes various pieces on MLB, the NFL, the NBA, and college sports. He enjoys hiking and eating, not necessarily in that order.