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Boston Red Sox

The 2023 World Baseball Classic came with good news for the Red Sox

By Ty Anderson
Mar 20, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; Japan left fielder Masataka Yoshida (34) runs toward first base after a base hit during the second inning against Mexico at LoanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

From a pure viewer standpoint, the 2023 World Baseball Classic ended in the best possible way Tuesday night, with Mike Trout at the dish against MLB teammate and two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani.

It also came with some good news for the Red Sox, actually, as the Sox had two players named to this year’s All-WBC team.

  • In the outfield, Boston’s newest superstar (so the Red Sox hope, at the very least), Masataka Yoshida was one of three outfielders named to the All-WBC team.

    Part of the tournament-winning Japanese club, Yoshida finished with a tournament-high 13 RBIs, and hit .409 by way of a 9-for-22 line. Yoshida also showed off some clutch batting, as he hit a game-tying home run in the seventh inning of Japan’s comeback win over Mexico in the semifinals.

  • The Red Sox will certainly hope that the strong showing helps jumpstart Yoshida’s spring, as he had just one hit and three strikeouts in his first five at-bats with the Sox before departing for the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

    Signed to a five-year deal worth over $105 million in total, the 29-year-old Yoshida is jumping to the MLB after a 2022 campaign that featured career-highs in RBIs (89), slugging percentage (.559), and OPS (1.007) for the Orix Buffaloes. In addition to the career-highs, Yoshida, who will wear No. 7 with the Red Sox, also put up a .336 average, 21 home runs, and 28 doubles for Orix last year.

    Along with Yoshida, Mike Trout of the United States and Mexico’s Randy Arozarena were the other members of the All-WBC outfield.

  • TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 10: Masataka Yoshida #34 of Japan celebrates hitting a two-run single to make it 3-4 in the third inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images)

    TOKYO, JAPAN – MARCH 10: Masataka Yoshida #34 of Japan celebrates hitting a two-run single in the third inning during the World Baseball Classic game between Korea and Japan at Tokyo Dome on March 10, 2023. (Kenta Harada/Getty Images)

  • In the infield, Boston’s Yu Chang was named to the All-WBC team at first base.

    Playing for Chinese Taipei, the 27-year-old Chang finished the tournament with a .438 average, which was fifth-best among all batters with at least 15 at bats. Chang also knocked home two homers and racked up eight RBIs four games for Chinese Taipei.

  • TAICHUNG, TAIWAN - MARCH 12: Yu Chang #18 of Chinese Taipei hits a RBI double at the bottom of the 9th inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Chinese Taipei and Cuba at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 12, 2023 in Taichung, Taiwan. (Photo by Gene Wang/Getty Images)

    TAICHUNG, TAIWAN – MARCH 12: Yu Chang #18 of Chinese Taipei hits a RBI double at the bottom of the 9th inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool A game between Chinese Taipei and Cuba at Taichung Intercontinental Baseball Stadium on March 12, 2023 in Taichung, Taiwan. (Gene Wang/Getty Images)

  • A late-season addition to last year’s roster after he was claimed off waivers, Chang appeared in 11 games for the Red Sox to close out the 2022 season, and hit .150 with two doubles and five walks.

    Chang spent last year with four different teams — the Guardians, Pirates, Rays, and Red Sox — and hit .222 with three homers and 12 RBIs over 51 games in total.

    The Red Sox signed Chang, who can play multiple positions in the infield, to a one-year deal worth $850,000 earlier this year.

Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Red Sox. 

Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. He has been covering the Bruins since 2010, and has been a member of the Boston chapter of the PHWA since 2013. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.

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