We continue our look at each team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic with Team China. For baseball fans in the U.S., this team will look very unfamiliar. But, there are a few names that have either been in pro ball in the United States, or currently are in a MLB organization. Let’s take a bit of a closer look at Team China.
Related: A Look at Team Australia in the 2023 World Baseball Classic
Pitchers
- Alan Carter
- Haicheng Gong
- Kwon Ju
- Qiang Lin
- Xin Qi
- Changlong Su
- Hailong Sun
- Weiyi Wang
- Xiang Wang
- Yuchen Wang
- Jian Yi
- Hao Zhang
- Fuyang Zhao
- Chaoqun Zheng
Team China is set to bring a team unknown to many baseball fans in North America. Among pitchers, the most notable name on the roster for China is Angels farmhand Alan Carter. The 25-year-old was born in Singapore, and played collegiately at Lee University in Tennessee. In his last season at Lee, Carter struck out 34 over 17 innings and opposing hitters had a .107 batting average against him.
Position Players
- Jie Cao (INF)
- Ray Chang (INF)
- Chen Chen (C)
- Chen Chen (INF)
- Xiao Han (OF)
- Yongkang Kou (INF)
- Ning Li (C)
- Yifan Li (C)
- Pei Liang (OF)
- Rongji Liang (OF)
- Yun Lu (C)
- Chenchen Luan (INF)
- Jinjun Luo (OF)
- Yuheng Lyu (OF)
- Yusuke Masago (OF)
- Jin Yang (INF)
Among notable position players for Team China include veteran MiLB infielder Ray Chang and outfielder Yusuke Masago. The 39-year-old Chang played parts of 12 seasons in the Minors, most of which were spent in the Padres and Reds organizations. Chang made it as high as AAA. As for Masago, the 28-year-old is a veteran of the Nippon Pro Baseball League in Japan. Last season with Softbank, Masago hit .286/.347/.440 with eight home runs, 24 extra base hits, and 38 RBIs.
It will be difficult for Team China to make it past the group stage. Japan and Korea both boast strong teams, while Australia and the Czech Republic have the potential to do damage as well. Unless this group can go on a Cinderella-like run, China may be poised to finish at the bottom of the pool.
