Baysox Represent in World Baseball Classic

The Opening Rounds of the 2013 World Baseball Classic begin the first week of March in Japan, Taiwan, Puerto Rico and Arizona and several current and former Baysox players will be hitting the field and representing their respective countries.

Infielder Jonathan Schoop is joining the Netherlands, catcher Allan de San Miguel is playing for Australia, former Baysox infielder Paco Figueroa is playing for Spain, former pitcher David Hernandez is pitching at home for the United States and former pitcher Adam Loewen will be in the outfield for Canada.

The 16 qualifying teams begin Round Robin Pool Play March 2 with the top two teams from each of the four pools advancing to the second round for a modified Double Elimination Tournament. Two teams will advance from both of the second round brackets and the final four teams will face off in a Single Elimination tournament, beginning March 17 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, to determine the champion.

For a full tournament schedule, click here.

Being played for the third time after the last tournament in 2009, the World Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament that matches the top teams around the globe in an effort to crown the baseball world champion. Japan has won each of the first two tournaments.

Schoop is from Curacao, an independent member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and was therefore invited to play with the Dutch in this year's tournament. Entering the 2013 season, Schoop is ranked by Baseball America as the number three prospect in the Baltimore Orioles organization after being an everyday starter for the Baysox in 2012. Starting at second base, and later at shortstop, Schoop led the team in home runs (14) and at-bats (485). Schoop was originally signed by the Orioles as an undrafted free agent and he has spent the past four seasons playing in the Orioles Minor League system.

Last season was de San Miguel's first in the Orioles organization. He split the season as a catcher with the Baysox and the Frederick Keys. In 30 games with the Baysox, de San Miguel hit .225 with eight doubles and 18 RBI.

Figueroa, Loewen and Hernandez are no longer in the Orioles organization, but spent time with the Baysox in the past. Figueroa spent six years with the Orioles and spent parts of three different seasons with the Baysox between 2007 and 2010.

Loewen was originally drafted by the Orioles as a pitcher in 2002 and he played in Bowie in 2006 and 2008 before injuries forced him to convert to an outfielder and he moved to the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Hernandez pitched for the Baysox in 2008 and 2009 (he led the Eastern League with 166 strikeouts in 08) and spent the first six years of his career in the Orioles system before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks prior to the start of the 2011 season.

Update: Another former Baysox player participating in the World Baseball Classic was brought to our attention by MASN's Steve Melewski. Former Baysox pitcher John Mariotti is playing for Team Italy. He last pitched for the Baysox in 2009 before being released by the organization in 2011.

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox open the 2013 season on the road and begin the 20th season of baseball at Prince George's Stadium Thursday, April 11. To keep up with Baysox news during the offseason, visit baysox.com.