Olympic Rosters: Canada

Here is part two in my series of Olympic previews, posted originally at baseball-fever

Canada has come out with its Olympic roster. They were 4th in 2004 and could well a Medal but it's not likely as they are clear behind the USA, Cuba and Japan. Their pitching is the big question IMO.

C: Chris Robinson ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Chris_Robinson[/url]) has been a good answer for Canada in the past and David Corrente ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/David_Corrente[/url]) has been a productive sub even though he hasn't done particularly well in the minors. The most intriguing player is Brett Lawrie ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Brett_Lawrie[/url]), a first-round draft pick in 2008. Let's see how much playing time Terry Puhl gives him.

1B: Scott Thorman ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Scott_Thorman[/url]) was a regular for the Atlanta Braves last year but disappointed. Emerson Frostad ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Emerson_Frostad[/url]) is an OK AA player. Not great options but certainly better than China or the Netherlands. Jimmy Van Ostrand ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jimmy_Van_Ostrand[/url]) was excellent in the Olympic qualifier; he might wind up at DH given Thorman's experience.

2B: Stubby Clapp ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Stubby_Clapp[/url]) has come out of retirement (he's a minor league hitting coach) once again. I think he's here primarily for his experience and inspiring all-out style of play, but he has shown in recent international tourneys that he isn't washed up yet.

SS: Pete Orr ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=10769[/url]) is a decent AAA infielder but hasn't hit much in the majors since his rookie year. No match for Cuba, the USA or Japan here probably.

3B: Matt Rogelstad ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Matt_Rogelstad[/url]) is a reliable contact hitter with a little power. He has been excellent in international play (2007 World Cup, 2008 Olympic qualifier) and rarely strikes out.

RF/LF: Mike Saunders ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Mike_Saunders[/url]) and Nick Weglarz ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Nick_Weglarz[/url]) are both very good prospects who will likely make the majors within a couple years. This is one of the team's strengths. Ryan Radmanovich ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Ryan_Radmanovich[/url]) gives them experience off the bench.

CF: Adam Stern ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Adam_Stern[/url]) is not hitting in AAA this year but Canada doesn't have many good options here. This is a weak spot.

SP: Chris Begg ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Chris_Begg[/url]) and Scott Richmond ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Scott_Richmond[/url]) are AAA pitchers and Brooks McNiven ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Brooks_McNiven[/url]) comes out of AA. None are hot prospects but all are competent hurlers. Can they shut down the USA, Japan or Cuba or will they get crushed? Jon Lockwood ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jon_Lockwood[/url]) has never pitched above A ball and wasn't that great in the 2008 Olympic qualifier. They might use against China in an easy win.

RP: Lots of MLB experience. Chris Reitsma ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/reitsch01.shtml[/url]) has over 300 games in the majors. Mike Johnson ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Mike_Johnson_%28johnsmi02%29[/url]) has 81 MLB games and is pitching in Taiwan's top league. Steve Green ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Steve_Green[/url]) has pitched in The Show. Rheal Cormier ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Rheal_Cormier[/url]) has thrown 683 major league games; he's the definitive graybeard here, having appeared for Canada 20 years ago in the 1988 Baseball World Cup.

There are also three LOOGYs in the bullpen. R.J. Swindle ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/R.J._Swindle[/url]) just made his major league debut this year. Dave Davidson ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Dave_Davidson[/url]) and T.J. Burton ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/T.J._Burton[/url]) are in the lower minor league rungs and might never make the majors. These are situational guys only.