I first reported here two weeks ago that Dilson Herrera (Colombia), Luis Guillorme (Spain), Nabil Crismatt (Colombia), and Alberto Baldonado (Panama) will be competing in the upcoming World Baseball Classic qualifier. All four will be playing in the tournament that is taking place in Panama from March 17-20. France is the fourth team in this pool but have no players from the Mets organization.
Catcher Xorge Carrillo will participate as well in the for Mexico who released their roster three days ago. Team Mexico is part of the qualifying tournament that is taking in Mexicali, Mexico along with the Czech Republic, Germany, and Nicaragua. Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and former Met Oliver Perez will be joining Carrillo on the Mexican team.
Herrera was born in Cartagena, Colombia and played winter ball in his home country this offseason for the Toros de Sincelejo. He made his Major League debut with the Mets at just 20 years old on August 29th, 2014 and was the youngest player in the National League that season. He has hit .215/.308/.383 with six homeruns in 149 major league at bats over the past two seasons.
Right-handed pitcher Crismatt, had a great 2015 season with the Kingsport Mets going 6-1 with a 2.90 ERA while striking out 63 batters in 62 innings. He was our number 50 Mets prospect in our top 80 countdown.
Guillorme, shortstop, is coming off a breakout season with the bat that saw him earn Most Valuable Player honors in the South Atlantic League for the Savannah Sand Gnats. The 21-year old hit .318/.354/.391 while scoring 67 runs, knocking in 55 and stealing 18 bases. He was our number 16 Mets prospect.
Baldonado, left-handed pitcher, was our number 80 Mets prospects after a great season for the Savannah Sand Gnats in which he had a 1.91 ERA and struck out 74 batters in 56.2 innings.
The players will leave for their tournament destinations on Monday giving them about a week away from spring training in all.
Former players from the Mets organization playing in the qualifying rounds include Rhiner Cruz (Spain) and Angel Cuan (Panama). Former Mets pitcher Dennis Cook will be the pitching coach for Germany.
The winning team of the each double elimination tournament earns a spot in the WBC taking place in 2017. This offseason started with four spots available but Team Australia took the first one with a victory over South Africa.
From September 22nd to the 25th the final qualifier includes teams from Israel, Brazil, Great Britain, and Pakistan. It will take place at MCU Park which is the home of the Mets affiliate Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Penn League.
