Chicago Cubs: Former, current players making their mark in World Baseball Classic

Dempster gets lit up in his Team Canada return

After not pitching in the big leagues since 2013, Ryan Dempster needed a lot of work to prepare for the WBC.

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And, despite all that hard work, the results were less than ideal. Dempster and Team Canada squared off against the formidable Team Dominican Republic – arguably the best lineup in the entire tournament.

He lasted a mere two innings, surrendering seven hits and four earned runs.

“That’s probably the least upset I’ve been after pitching as poorly as I did in that second inning in my entire career,” Dempster said. “I really did just soak it all in. I was proud of myself for not being afraid to fail.”

Dempster told the New York Times he hopes to appear again in the tournament. Team Canada certainly appears to lack the star power of other countries. Then again, as we’ve seen with Team Israel’s improbable run, things aren’t always as they seem.

Cubs prospect steps up on the world stage

Entering play on Sunday, Chicago outfielder John Andreoli carried an OPS north of .900.

In 10 at-bats in this year’s World Baseball Classic, he has a home run, a pair of runs and four runs batted in. There are certainly more impressive resumes in the tournament, but for a guy still looking to crack a big-league roster, it’s been eye-catching.

But, above all else, it’s been one moment that looms large.

Team Italy trailed Team Mexico by four runs entering the bottom of the ninth last week. Facing young, but talented Toronto Blue Jays reliever Roberto Osuna, the Italian offense got to work.

Pirates’ catcher Francisco Cervelli led off with a double. Two more hits plated a pair of rallies. An error and a walk loaded the bases and ended Osuna’s night early. Oliver Perez took the ball, in hopes of preventing a total collapse.

Italy plated another run on a single, making it a 9-8 ballgame. Andreoli stepped to the dish, and the rest, as they say, is history. The Chicago prospect delivered a ground ball into the outfield, plating two runs and giving Italy a shocking come-from-behind win.

With flair, Baez showing his talent

Javier Baez has no-doubt been called a lot of things already in his young career.

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Slick-fielding defensive skills, quick-witted comments and even 40-homer power are all in his repertoire. But, regardless of what side of the ball you’re looking at, Baez does it all with flair.

We saw it last postseason when he juggled his falling piece of gum before flashing a smile at the camera. His game-winning home run on Mother’s Day at Wrigley Field last summer still looms large in memories of fans.

And, already in the World Baseball Classic, Baez is at it again.

In the ninth inning of Puerto Rico’s game Saturday, the young slugger took veteran reliever Joakim Soria deep for a three-run blast. Of course, he added his own flavor to the home run, something Cubs’ fans have become accustomed to in recent years.

Setting his bat gingerly on the ground after cranking the blast, Baez showcased not only his immense power, but his love and passion for the game as he rounded the bases. The homer helped lead Puerto Rico to a big win and a showdown with Italy and John Andreoli.