With the World Baseball Classic in full swing, the star-studded infield of Team Netherlands has already been on display as they are now 2-0 after blanking Korea 5-0 and walking-off on Chinese Taipei last night, 6-5.
Led by American League East infielders Xander Bogaerts, Jonathan Schoop and the Yankees’ own Didi Gregorius, the Dutch faced a back-and-forth game with Chinese Taipei last night at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea.
Gregorius finished the night 3-4 with three doubles, three RBI and two runs scored. Didi’s timely doubles put the Netherlands ahead in the fourth, and then tied it in the eighth with his opposite field two-out line drive off left hander Fu-Te Ni.
.@DidiG18 …
CLUTCH GENE! pic.twitter.com/CLGoMxiPkm
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 8, 2017
Gregorius, serving as the full time DH for the Dutch, is picking up right where he left off last season with the Yankees, delivering in big spots as he hit .294 with two outs and RISP, and crushing left handed pitching to the tune of a .320 average for the Bronx Bombers.
Also as he continues to display his power stroke from last season when he belted a career high 20 home runs for the Yanks, Didi has now powered the Netherlands into the second round of the World Baseball Classic.
As the Yankees get ready for the regular season in Tampa, they’re no doubt keeping tabs on how their players are performing in the WBC. Didi’s performance in high-pressure, real-game situations this early in the spring should make manager Joe Girardi happy. The Yankees are hoping Gregorius can continue his development in 2017 as one of the best shortstops in the league.
Dellin Betances, Luis Severino and Team Dominican Republic kick off their WBC action on Thursday against Canada; Tyler Clippard and Team USA host Colombia in Miami on Friday; Tommy Layne, who’s representing Italy, will play Mexico on Thursday.
Follow me on Twitter, @JaredSaul
