The Scouts Will Be Out

[DownUnderDodger]

If nothing else the WBC will be very well supported by club scouts looking for bright young prospects to sign for their ball clubs. There are undoubtedly a number of players who will be playing in the WBC who may already be under the microscope, and probably some who have so far escaped the radar, and the WBC will be a great lead as to how they perform under pressure. I am sure there will be a lot cheque (sorry....check) books out and pencils sharpened come 3rd March!

[Licey Fan]

And no doubt, the more scouted will be the players for teams not known for baseball (South Africa, Italy, Netherlands, China, your Australia), since that's where less scouting is done... So, from that optic, this tournament could help further internationalization of MLB

[DownUnderDodger]

And no doubt, the more scouted will be the players for teams not known for baseball (South Africa, Italy, Netherlands, China, your Australia), since that's where less scouting is done...
Actually, as for Australia, there is a lot of scouting done. In the last month alone at least 4 Aussies have been signed to contracts with MLB organisations, mainly youngsters who will go into the farm system. But yes, players from so called lesser known countries will be able to show their talents against high quality players from MLB ranks!

There is method in the MLB madness at hosting this tournament ;)

[Licey Fan]

Do you have academies down under?? Most of the MLB teams already have academies here in DR, where players reside before going to mainland USA... How about Australia? How's the recruiting done?

[DownUnderDodger]

Do you have academies down under?? Most of the MLB teams already have academies here in DR, where players reside before going to mainland USA... How about Australia? How's the recruiting done?
There is a MLB supported academy at the Gold Coast in Queensland, and that is where a lot of the young talent is sent.