Eight Cardinals are headed to the WBC while two withdrew; Italy carries the most current Cardinals, and injuries to Ivan Herrera (withdrawn) and Riley O'Brien (calf) shift value. Punters may favor Italy in player-prop markets, be cautious on Panama totals, and monitor O'Brien’s status — Korea futures improve if he returns for later rounds.
Cardinals’ Presence at the World Baseball Classic
Eight players and multiple prospects from the St. Louis Cardinals organization will represent their countries in the World Baseball Classic, a notable drop from 17 Cardinals who played in 2023. The roster mix this year leans more toward prospects alongside a few players of MLB, creating intriguing storylines for fans and bettors alike.
Who’s Playing — By Team
Italy
Thomas Saggese (utility) and Gordon Graceffo (pitcher) give Italy the largest contingent of active Cardinals. Their presence makes Italy a team to watch in player-prop markets and depth plays.
Mexico
Right-hander Luis Gastelum and outfielder Randy Arozarena (who began his MLB career with the Cardinals) are on Mexico’s roster, adding power and pitching depth.
Panama
Catching prospect Leonardo Bernal is Panama’s lone Cardinal after Ivan Herrera withdrew due to insurance issues, weakening Panama’s lineup depth.
Great Britain
Outfield prospect Matt Koperniak will represent Great Britain, offering a young bat for sleeper attention.
Puerto Rico
Infielder Bryan Torres will play for Puerto Rico under the stewardship of Cardinals legend Yadier Molina, who managed the team in 2023.
Israel
Prospects Zach Levenson and Noah Medlinger are on Team Israel, providing developmental talent on the international stage.
Dominican Republic
Franchise legend Albert Pujols is managing the Dominican Republic, with former Cardinals pitcher Sandy Alcantara among the pitching staff.
Team USA
No current Cardinals are on Team USA this year, though former Cardinals like Paul Goldschmidt and Michael Wacha are featured on the roster.
Injuries and Withdrawals
Ivan Herrera withdrew from Panama’s roster because of insurance complications. Right-hander Riley O’Brien is sidelined with a calf injury and will miss at least the first round; he could return later if Team Korea makes a deep run. Those availability shifts affect roster depth and pitching matchups across the tournament.
What Cardinals Fans Should Watch
Prospect Development
This WBC is an opportunity to evaluate prospects such as Koperniak, Levenson, Medlinger and Bernal against international competition — useful intel for spring projections and minor-league to MLB transitions.
Managers and Narrative
Seeing former Cardinals greats like Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols in managerial roles adds narrative weight and fan interest, especially if their teams go deep.
Betting Implications and Strategy
Watch pitcher availability closely — O’Brien’s return would boost Korea’s futures value and pitching matchup odds. Italy’s multiple active Cardinals make it attractive for player-prop bets (hits, RBIs, strikeouts allowed), while Panama’s offensive upside is diminished with Herrera out, suggesting caution on Panama totals. For futures, favor teams with established Major League arms and monitor late roster changes and injury reports before locking bets.
Bottom Line
The Cardinals’ international footprint is smaller but still meaningful, with a mix of MLB veterans, former Cardinals, and promising prospects.
World Baseball Classic Uniforms Ranked From Worst to Best
For bettors and fans, the key is tracking health and availability — those variables will determine where the value lies as the Classic unfolds.
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