Brian Fuentes’ magic carpet ride from anonymous setup man to all-star closer continued when his country came calling Monday. Fuentes was one of 42 players listed on Team USA’s preliminary World Baseball Classic roster, and the only member of the Rockies.
“Anytime you have a chance to compete with the elite and against them, it’s a great opportunity,” Fuentes said. “I can’t wait to see how it works out.”
Fuentes has long wondered if he was worthy of a spot, given the bloated résumés of those announced. The U.S. roster features Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, former Colorado prep star pitchers Roy Halladay and Brad Lidge, Derek Jeter and Roger Clemens, who, in an ESPN interview, called it “sort of a Dream Team.”
All of the 16 participating teams – with Cuba’s participation still in question – must cut their rosters to 30 players five days before their first game. The Americans report to training camp March 3 at Chase Field in Phoenix and open the tournament four days later against Mexico. Clemens said his offseason training and ability to remain a power pitcher would dictate whether he participates.
Those players not on preliminary rosters are ineligible for the event. Among the notable U.S. omissions were third baseman Alex Rodriguez, outfielder Juan Pierre and new Toronto closer B.J. Ryan. Fuentes has a strong chance to make the team, given his ability to match up against difficult left-handed hitters such as the Dominican Republic’s David Ortiz.
“The way it was described to me is that two starters will work most of the game with closers going the rest of the way,” Fuentes said. “That would be great to get that chance.”
Team USA World Baseball roster
Starting pitchers
Jeremy Bonderman, RHP – Detroit Tigers
Roger Clemens, RHP – Free agent (formerly Houston Astros)
Roy Halladay, RHP – Toronto Blue Jays
Tim Hudson, RHP – Atlanta Braves
Al Leiter, RHP – New York Yankees
Jake Peavy, RHP – San Diego Padres
Andy Pettitte, LHP – Houston Astros
C.C. Sabathia, LHP – Cleveland Indians
Dontrelle Willis, LHP – Florida Marlins
Relief pitchers
Chad Cordero, RHP – Washington Nationals
Brian Fuentes, LHP – Colorado Rockies
Todd Jones, RHP – Detroit Tigers
Brad Lidge, RHP – Houston Astros
Joe Nathan, RHP – Minnesota Twins
Scot Shields, RHP – Los Angeles Angels
Huston Street, RHP – Oakland Athletics
Mike Timlin, RHP – Boston Red Sox
Billy Wagner, LHP – New York Mets
Dan Wheeler, RHP – Houston Astros
Catchers
Michael Barrett – Chicago Cubs
Paul Lo Duca – New York Mets
Joe Mauer – Minnesota Twins
Chad Moeller – Milwaukee Brewers
Brian Schneider – Washington Nationals
Jason Varitek – Boston Red Sox
Infielders
Craig Counsell – Arizona Diamondbacks
Morgan Ensberg – Houston Astros
Bill Hall – Milwaukee Brewers
Derek Jeter – New York Yankees
Chipper Jones – Atlanta Braves
Derrek Lee – Chicago Cubs
Jimmy Rollins – Philadelphia Phillies
Mark Teixeira – Texas Rangers
Chase Utley – Philadelphia Phillies
David Wright – New York Mets
Michael Young – Texas Rangers
Outfielders
Lance Berkman – Houston Astros
Barry Bonds – San Francisco Giants
Carl Crawford – Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Johnny Damon – New York Yankees
Ken Griffey Jr. – Cincinnati Reds
Vernon Wells – Toronto Blue Jays
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-820-5447 or trenck@denverpost.com.
