Cincinnati Reds players ready for the World Baseball Classic. Meet the participants

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – The World Baseball Classic is underway in Tokyo and Taiwan, and games will begin in Phoenix and Miami this weekend.

The Cincinnati Reds have five players from their Major League roster participating in the international showcase, plus several nonroster invitees and minor leaguers. Here’s a look at each of the Reds on WBC rosters:

RHP Luis Cessa, Mexico

A candidate for one of the final two spots in the Reds’ starting rotation, Cessa is expected to be used as a piggyback starter for Mexico where he will pitch multiple innings behind the scheduled starter. Mexico has one of the better rotations with Julio Urías (Los Angeles Dodgers), Taijuan Walker (Philadelphia Phillies), José Urquidy (Houston Astros) and Patrick Sandoval (L.A. Angels).  

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Cessa, 30, was solid throughout Reds camp and permitted one run and two hits across three innings in spring training games.

RHP Alexis Diaz, Puerto Rico

Díaz will play alongside his older brother, Edwin, for the first time in their baseball careers. The two brothers are 2 ½ years apart and never played on the same team growing up in Puerto Rico. They’ll have their parents in the stands to watch their two sons form one of the most fearsome late-inning bullpen combos.

During Cactus League games, Díaz allowed five hits and three runs in three innings while striking out seven.

RHP Fernando Cruz, Puerto Rico

Ask Cruz about pitching in the World Baseball Classic and he broke into a smile every time. It took him 16 years from the time he was drafted to reach the major leagues, but he was a constant presence in the Puerto Rican Winter League as he fought to keep his career alive.

Cruz, who will turn 33 later this month, looked sharp in camp. He gave up one hit and zero runs in his three innings during spring training games while striking out four.

LHP Reiver Sanmartin, Colombia

Sanmartin found a home in the bullpen last year after a poor stint as a starting pitcher at the beginning of the 2022 season. He looked like he did at the end of last season during camp, giving up one hit and one run in three innings during spring training games.

RHP Ian Gibaut, Great Britain

Gibaut’s dad is from Jersey, a small island in the English channel, and he still has family who lives in Britain. Gibaut, 29, was a dual citizen as a kid before his British passport expired and he says his dad learned the rules of baseball as he grew up playing the sport.

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Out of minor league options, Gibaut should be a lock for the Reds’ bullpen. He’s looked the part, striking out the first six batters he faced in spring training games. In three appearances, he’s struck out eight while giving up two hits and three runs.

Non-Roster Invitees

OF Henry Ramos, Puerto Rico: Ramos was a standout during the first few weeks of camp, hitting well in games, showing off a strong arm in the outfield and playing with a lot of intensity. He played in Korea last year, but he was limited to 18 games because of a broken toe.

RHP Silvino Bracho, Venezuela: Bracho’s unique delivery gives him a different look compared to other relievers. He surrendered two hits and one run in three innings during Cactus League games with three walks and one strikeout.

Minor Leaguers

RHP Donovan Benoit, Great Britain; RHP Arij Fransen, Netherlands; RHP Pedro Garcia, Colombia; RHP Kyle Glogoski, Australia; LHP Evan Kravetz, Israel; 2B Steven Leyton, Nicaragua; LHP Nicolo Pinazzi, Italy; RHP Vin Timpanelli, Italy.

Jose Barrero showing strides at the plate

Jose Barrero, competing with Kevin Newman for the starting shortstop job, has started to see better results during spring training games at the plate. He entered Friday with five hits in 18 at-bats, one walk and six strikeouts after adopting a new batting stance in the offseason.

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"It’s just a matter of time," Reds Manager David Bell said Friday. "We were seeing it during (batting practice) and in the cage and all that, but it took a few games to get into the swing of things. Over the last week, he’s shown some great signs. He’s able to translate the work he’s done into the games. That’s all that matters in the end. He’s playing great defensively. He’s working hard and having really good at-bats. The way the ball is coming off the bat is different right now than it was last season."

Barrero hit .152 in 48 games last season with five extra-base hits and 76 strikeouts in 174 plate appearances.