![Bruce Bochy will be managing France in hopes of securing a spot at the 2021 World Baseball Classic. [Image Source: dennis/Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2020/3/8/660x290/b_502x220x82/bruce-bochy-will-be-managing-france-in-hopes-of-securing-a-spot-at-the-2021-world-baseball-classic-image-source-dennisflickr_2414455.jpg "Bruce Bochy will be managing France in hopes of securing a spot at the 2021 World Baseball Classic. [Image Source: dennis/Flickr]")
Every four years, the World Baseball Classic takes place where the top countries in the world compete against each other to see which country has the best team and players. For the 2021 World Baseball Classic, they have expanded the pool from 16 to 20 teams. Pool One features Brazil, France, Germany, South Africa, Nicaragua, and Pakistan. From all the players and coaches participating in this qualifier, here are the most notable ones.
Dante Bichette Jr- Brazil
Bichette Jr is a corner infielder in the Nationals organization. He holds a career minor league slash line of .254/.331/.365. He is the son of four time all-star Dante Bichette and older brother of Jays SS Bo Bichette.
Paulo Orlando- Brazil
Orlando has played 278 games in the big leagues across four seasons. He holds a career major league slash line of .263/.289/.384. He spent the 2019 season in the minors with the Dodgers and White Sox but is currently a free agent. Perhaps a strong showing at the qualifier can get him a minor league deal.
Barry Larkin- Brazil
The 12 time all-star, nine time Silver Slugger and 1995 NL MVP will manage team Brazil. He won a World Series with the Reds in 1990 and is a member of the Hall of Fame class of 2012. [image source: Gage Skidmore- Wikimedia Commons]
LaTroy Hawkins- Brazil
Hawkins will serve as the pitching coach for Brazil. He spent 21 years in the major leagues and played on 11 different teams. [image source: Arturo Pardavilla III- Wikimedia Commons]
Brett Bochy- France
Bochy appeared in seven games at the highest level where he played for his dad on the Giants. He fared well but he is no longer in affiliated ball. [image source: Jameboy- Wikimedia Commons]
Alen Hanson- France
Hanson has played in 261 major league games across four seasons. He holds a career slash line of .232/.266/.368. He has the ability to play multiple positions across the diamond. He's currently in the Mariners organization. [image source: TonyTheTiger- Wikimedia Commons]
Bruce Bochy- France
Bochy just retired after the conclusion of the 2019 season. His career record is 2003-2029 where he managed the Padres for 12 years and the Giants for 13 years. He won NL Manager of the Year in 1996 and has three World Series rings ('10, '12 and '14). [image source: Cbl62- Wikimedia Commons]
Cheslor Cuthbert- Nicaragua
Cuthbert has appeared in 322 games at the majors all with the Royals across five seasons. He has a career slash line of .250/.300/.378. He's a primary 3B and he's currently apart of the White Sox organization.
Gift Ngoepe- South Africa
Ngoepe was the first South African player to appear in the majors where he made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2017. In 41 games at the MLB level with the Pirates and Blue Jays, Ngoepe holds a .181/.272/.236 slash line. He spent 2019 in the minors with the Phillies and Braves but he is no longer in a MLB affiliated organization.
