Who is playing in the 2023 World Baseball Classic? A list of key players for Dominican Republic

The 2023 World Baseball Classic is set to start on March 8. As always, the Dominican Republic is set to field one of the best teams in the tournament.

The Dominican Republic will start their campaign in the 2023 World Baseball Classic against Venezuela on March 11 at the LoanDepot Stadium, home of the Miami Marlins. Let's take a look at some of the top players who are set to take center stage.

The top name for the Dominican Republic is Seattle Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez. Rodriguez hails from Loma de Cabrera in the northwest portion of the Dominican Republic.

This year for the Seattle Mariners, Rodriguez hit 28 home runs, 75 RBIs while hitting .284/.345/.509. Rodriguez was named the second Rookie of the Year Award winner for the Seattle Mariners in three years, after Kyle Lewis won it in 2020.

Another big name set to make his World Baseball Classic debut is Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Guerrero Jr. hit a league-leading 48 home runs in 2021. Although born in Montreal, Guerrero is the son of Dominican baseball icon Vladimir Guerrero Sr., who was playing for the Allouettes when Guerrero Jr. was born.

"WBC highlight #3: Vladimir Guerrero Jr, team Dominican Republic. Over the last 2 seasons, Vladdy has hit 80 HRs, slashed .292/.370/.539 (150 OPS+). And 10.7 WAR. He has dual eligibility in DR and also Canada where he was born" - players between 10 to 20 bWAR

Cleveland Guardians star Jose Ramirez had one of the best years of his career in 2022. The 30-year-old led the league in doubles with 44. Additionally, he hit a career-high number of RBIs with 126 of them, and led the league in intentional base on balls. Ramirez will be an absolute boon with his wealth of experience.

Manny Machado will also be returning to the team. Machado was born in Miami to Dominican parents and appeared for the DR in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Machado finished second in NL MVP voting this year on account of his 32 home runs and 102 RBIs.

The top pitcher for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic is Sandy Alcantara. Alcantara was dominant on the mound for the Miami Marlins for the entirety of last season. The 27-year-old starter from the town of Azua in the Dominican Republic threw a league-best six complete games, and posted an ERA of just 2.28 over a league-high 228.2 innings.

"Sandy Alcántara confirma presencia en el Clásico 2023 con la República Dominicana" - @GrandSlamMLB

Team DR is one of the favorites in the 2023 World Baseball Classic

The team underwhelmed in the 2017 tournament, falling to the USA and Puerto Rico in the second round. However, the team is poised to have some of the best talent in the MLB this year. Do not be surprised if the team ends up going very far indeed.