Olympic Rosters: USA

Part 5 in the Olympic preview - the USA

Brandon Knight is a former NPB player.

The USA won Silver its last time in the Games and this year's roster looks a bit better. The overall skill level seems similar to the 2007 Baseball World Cup, when they beat Cuba in the Gold Medal game. I can't say that any team is the prohibitive favorite but the US has as good a shot as any. If they fail to win a Medal (which is certainly feasible), it will be a disappointment.

C: Lou Marson (http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Lou_Marson) has a .442 OBP in AA but his defensive stats aren't impressive. Taylor Teagarden ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=14331[/url]) hit 27 homers last year but has struggled so far this year. Not a bad duo - better than Korea, Taiwan, the Netherlands or Canada. Japan and Cuba might easily have better players here though with guys like Abe and Peraza.

IF: No one on the roster is a full-time first baseman and lots of utility types are around. Mike Hessman ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=6588[/url]) is mostly a third baseman. He's been one of the top AAA sluggers the last few years but doesn't hit for great averages. It will be interesting to see how he does - he might shred the international pitchers or be stifled by them. Terry Tiffee ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=14540[/url]) is another 1B/3B who can play elsewhere. He is shredding up AAA pitching but it is out of line with anything else he's done. Has he suddenly improved or is it a fluke?

Brian Barden ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=883[/url]) has played mostly third base though he has some SS background. He's hitting well in AAA as usual, but nothing earth-shattering. Matt Brown ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Matthew_Brown[/url]) is a similar player.

The only infielder with a real position is Jason Donald ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=31145[/url]), a shortstop. He's showing good offensive skills in AA considering his position.

OF: Matt LaPorta ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Matt_LaPorta[/url]) is one of baseball's best prospects and will be one of the team's leaders presumably; the guy can hit. John Gall ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=5118[/url]) is hitting well in AAA and is a good comparison to Ernie Young from the 2000 team. Dexter Fowler ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Dexter_Fowler[/url]) is a five-tool talent having his best season yet (OPS over 900 in AA, 16 SB, 7 outfield assists). Colby Rasmus ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Colby_Rasmus[/url]) is one of St. Louis's elite prospects and was excellent in the 2007 World Cup but has not fared well in AAA this year. I'm surprised they picked him over Andrew McCutchen ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Andrew_McCutchen[/url]), who is doing well in AAA and is Pittsburgh's best prospect (not that this is a significant designation).

SP: Brett Anderson ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Brett_Anderson[/url]) is a good prospect who is doing okay in AA. He has international experience from his junior team days. Jake Arrieta ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jake_Arrieta[/url]) is a promising Baltimore Orioles minor leaguer who was on the US college team in 2006. Trevor Cahill ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=32283[/url]) just made his AA debut but has not struggled at any level yet. Clayton Richard ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Clayton_Richard[/url]) is also one of his team (Chicago White Sox)'s top young players. The team could also use their lone collegian, Stephen Strasburg, the US college team's ace.

RP: Casey Weathers ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Casey_Weathers[/url]) is a fairly good prospect in his second pro season. Kevin Jepsen ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=22445[/url]) was unimpressive before this year. Brandon Knight ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=30775[/url]), Blaine Neal ([url]http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=10366[/url]) and Mike Koplove ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/k/koplomi01.shtml[/url]) are all longer in the tooth. All are doing well in AAA but I can't really see any of these guys have been consistently impressive in the minors. Jeff Stevens ([url]http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Jeffrey_Stevens[/url]) is a nice young prospect Cleveland got in the Brandon Phillips trade; he did well in the 2007 World Cup when he served as the Team USA closer.