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Your Complete Guide to Mariners Spring Training

By Nick Lee

Mar 30, 2016; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais against the San Diego Padres during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Peoria, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais against the San Diego Padres during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 16, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Canada left fielder Tyler O’Neill (13) circles the bases after hitting a solo home run in the fifth inning against Puerto Rico pitcher Roy Geiger (43) in the fifth inning during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Ajax Pan Am Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

World Baseball Classic 2017

There are 11 Mariners competing in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. The WBC occurs every four years (the new “Baseball World Cup,” if you will). There is definitely a watching interest for Mariners fans. These M’s players scatter over seven countries:

USA

Drew Smyly is an alternate pitcher, meaning he will only be in the dugout if needed.

Dominican Republic

Robinson Cano

Nelson Cruz

Puerto Rico

Edwin Diaz

Emilio Pagan (Triple-A)

Canada

Tyler O’Neill (Double-A)

Italy

Pat Venditte

Sam Gaviglio (Triple-A)

Mexico 

Yovani Gallardo

Sebastian Valle (Double-A)

Venezuela 

Felix Hernandez

Some fans might just be cringing for one of these players to get injured in these intense international contests. Rest assured, these are highly training athletes who have been preparing for this. This will just take the place of some Spring Training reps.

Dates for the WBC to Watch

March 9th, Canada vs. Dominican Republic, Pool C, Miami, 6pm EST

This pits current Mariners stars Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz against a possible future M’s star in Tyler O’Neill.

March 9th, Italy vs. Mexico, Pool D, Jalisco, MEX, 9pm EST

Patt Venditte will be fighting for a Mariners roster spot this spring. It wouldn’t hurt to see how he does pitching against a good Mexican lineup. Yovani Gallardo could also toe the rubber in this game for the “home” team.

March 10th, Puerto Rico vs. Venezuela, Pool D, Jalisco, MEX, 9pm EST

This matches up Edwin Diaz’s squad against King Felix. There is a possibility both could make an appearance in this game.

March 11th, Dominican Republic vs. United States, Pool C, Miami, 10:30pm EST

This will be a great matchup to watch. These are possibly the two teams from Pool C who could move on from Pool Play. Maybe we will see Drew Smyly pitch against Cano and Cruz.

After the first round Pool Play, the top two teams from each pool move on to a “round robin” pool with four teams in two pools. After playing each other once, the top two teams in each of those pools move on to the semifinals at Dodger Stadium on March 20th and 21st.

The Finals will be March 22nd.

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