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

By Jake Misener

Mar 9, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Puerto Rico infielder Javier Baez uses a teammates Oakley sunglasses to view his reflection as he applies eye black in the dugout prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during a 2017 World Baseball Classic exhibition game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Puerto Rico infielder Javier Baez uses a teammates Oakley sunglasses to view his reflection as he applies eye black in the dugout prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during a 2017 World Baseball Classic exhibition game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder John Andreoli (72) looks on from the dugout during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder John Andreoli (72) looks on from the dugout during the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

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.

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