Box Score & Plays | Cumulative Stats

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Team USA was shut out by Korea, 4-0, in the bronze medal game of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup on Sunday afternoon at Tianmu Baseball Stadium.

The U.S. completes tournament play with a 5-4 record, while Korea wraps up the World Cup with a 6-3 mark and a bronze medal.

The stars and stripes could not get anything going against Korea starter Taekyon Kim on Sunday, as the right-hander tossed a complete game and struck out nine in the process. PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) provided the only two hits for the U.S. in the defeat, singling in the second and hitting a double in the fourth. Bryce Rainer (Simi Valley, Calif.), who drew a walk in the second, was the only other Team USA baserunner in the loss.

Cooper Williams (Alvin, Texas) started on the mound for the United States and turned in a start similar to his first. As he did against Japan in pool play, Williams surrendered two runs in the first before settling down for the remainder of the outing. Williams­–who suffered the loss–pitched three innings before Matthew Champion (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) took over and tossed 2.2 innings of two-run ball. Trey Gregory-Alford (Colorado Springs, Colo.) finished the sixth and pitched a scoreless seventh.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• An RBI triple by Tongkeon Yeo and a run-scoring bunt single from Jihwan Park gave Korea an immediate 2-0 lead in the top of the first.
• Korea threatened to extend its lead in the top of the second when Seungmin Lee hit a one-out double, but Williams locked in and retired the next two batters to maintain the two-run U.S. deficit.
• The Korea advantage grew to three in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Sangjun Lee before Rainer threw a runner out at the plate to keep the stars and stripes within striking distance.
• Morlando tried to ignite the Team USA bats with a two-out double in the fourth, but Kim induced an inning-ending ground out to keep his shutout intact.
• Champion was chased from the game in the sixth when Seungmin Lee hit his second extra-base hit of the game, an RBI triple to grow Korea’s lead to 4-0.
• Kim sent the United States down in order in the bottom of the seventh to finish off his complete-game shutout.

NOTABLES

• Morlando finishes the tournament as the team’s leading hitter, batting .409 (9-for-22) in World Cup play. The lefty collected a hit in eight of the nine U.S. games.
• Including Sunday’s performance, Gregory-Alford went unscored upon in four tournament appearances out of the bullpen, allowing just two hits in six innings of work.
• The U.S. pitching staff wraps up the World Cup with a 2.44 team ERA.
• The loss was Team USA’s second all-time defeat to Korea in World Cup bronze medal games after it also dropped the third-place matchup in 2004.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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TAIPEI, Taiwan – The 18U National Team finishes play at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup with the bronze medal game against Korea on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. local/2:00 a.m. ET at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP Taekyon Kim (KOR) vs. LHP Cooper Williams (USA)

LAST TIME OUT

Team USA dropped its Super Round finale on Saturday, falling in a close 4-3 defeat to Puerto Rico. Despite carrying a lead into the late innings, the U.S. bullpen allowed a pair of runs in the sixth and seventh frames and the bats could not rally in the loss. Team USA scored first in Saturday’s game, plating a run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by PJ Morlando. Puerto Rico answered with a run in the top of the third to tie it, but the U.S. responded in the bottom half with Konnor Griffin’s RBI triple and Derek Curiel’s sac fly to regain a 3-2 lead. However, a wild pitch in the sixth and a Puerto Rico sac fly in the seventh put the U.S. behind and it was unable to muster anything off of reliever Jarrette Bonet.

Levi Sterling started for the U.S. and was solid, tossing 4.1 innings and allowing two runs. Sterling finished the tournament with a 1.86 ERA in 8.1 frames and walked just one batter. Jack McKernan suffered the loss on Saturday by yielding two runs in two innings. Konnor Griffin got the final outs on the mound for the U.S.

BRONZE MEDAL GAME HISTORY

The United States has competed in five bronze medal games at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. Picking up its first bronze medal win in 1986, the team has gone 4-1 overall in the third-place contest. The U.S. and Korea have played one another on two separate occasions in the bronze medal game; Team USA won the first meeting in 1996, and Korea took home bronze in the most recent matchup in 2004.

HISTORY AGAINST KOREA

At the U-18 level, the United States and Korea have played one another 22 times. Team USA owns a slight series advantage over Korea, posting a 13-9 all-time record. The series began when the U.S. earned a 7-5 victory over Korea in the opening game of the 1988 World Junior Championships, while the most recent meeting was a 5-1 win for the U.S. in game two of the Super Round. The two nations have met in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup bronze medal game twice, each winning one of those matchups.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Korea enters the bronze medal matchup fresh off a 3-1 win over the Netherlands in its Super Round finale, which secured its spot in Sunday’s bronze game. Korea emerged from Group A as the number two seed for Super Round play after going 4-1, suffering an opening game loss to Chinese Taipei and then rattling off four wins in a row. The squad dropped its first two Super Round games (7-1 vs. Japan and 5-1 vs. Team USA) before Saturday’s 3-1 victory over the Netherlands.

The team is currently led at the plate by Hyunmin Cho, who is batting .350 (7-for-20) with a double, eight RBIs, and four runs scored. Yulyee Lee, who owns a .263 average (5-for-19), ranks second in the team with six RBIs and is tied for first with four runs scored. On the mound, Korea owns a 2.25 ERA with an astounding 77 strikeouts in 53 innings pitched. Sunday’s starter, Taekyon Kim, is 1-0 with a 1.56 ERA with 20 punch outs in nine innings of work.

INSIDE THE ROSTER

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion, Noah Franco, and PJ Morlando all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin, Ethan Schiefelbein, and Nolan Traeger–will reunite on this year’s roster, while two-time alum Jack McKernan and Coy James represent the 2022 15U squad. Bryce Rainer returns to Team USA and makes his second trip to Taiwan after playing for the 2017 12U team.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Additionally, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

ALUM AT THE HELM

Team USA manager Michael Cuddyer is only the second alumnus to play for and manage the 18U National Team, joining Jason Hisey, who played for the U.S. in 1987 and managed the squad in 2006. Cuddyer is a two-time 18U National Team alum, as he played for the program in both 1996 and 1997. In 1996, Cuddyer batted .367 with five RBIs on a roster that featured seven future big leaguers, including Rick Ankiel **and Josh Bard**. Cuddyer then posted a .397 average with an .853 slugging percentage while leading the U.S. in home runs (7) and RBIs (26) at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1997.

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Box Score & Plays | Cumulative Stats

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Team USA lost to Puerto Rico, 4-3, in its World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round finale on Saturday morning at Tianmu Baseball Stadium.

The loss drops the United States to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the Super Round, per WBSC tournament regulations. Puerto Rico is also now 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the Super Round standings. Despite the loss, the U.S. has secured a spot in Sunday’s bronze medal game against an opponent to be determined.

After holding onto a one-run lead after five, Team USA allowed a run in both the sixth and seventh innings and could not rally late. Puerto Rico tied the game on a wild pitch in the sixth inning, and a sacrifice fly by Henry Clausell provided the go-ahead and eventual winning run in the top of the seventh before the U.S. went down in order to end it. 

Levi Sterling (Los Angeles, Calif.) started for the stars and stripes and lasted 4.1 innings while allowing two runs on five hits. Sterling departed the game with the lead intact and Jack McKernan (Missouri City, Texas) escaped a bases-loaded jam to keep it a 3-2 edge in the fifth, but the southpaw surrendered runs in the sixth and seventh to suffer the loss. Jarrette Bonet turned in 4.1 hitless innings of relief for Puerto Rico and earned the win.

At the plate, Team USA was led by Konnor Griffin’s (Florence, Miss.) two-hit performance. Griffin singled and scored in the first, then hit an RBI triple and scored again in the third, to be responsible for all three U.S. runs. PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) collected a hit and an RBI with a sacrifice fly in the first, while Derek Curiel (West Covina, Calif.) chipped in a sacrifice fly of his own.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Griffin singled to begin the U.S. first and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Morlando to put Team USA up 1-0 out of the gates.
• Puerto Rico’s Harold Laracuente hit a two-out single down the right field line in the top of the third to bring home a run and level the contest at 1-1.
• The U.S. regained a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third when Griffin stayed hot and ripped a triple to left center to plate Manny Marin (Miami, Fla.), who led off the frame with a single.
• Curiel hit the second sacrifice fly of the game for the stars and stripes in the third to bring home Griffin and extend the lead to two.
• Puerto Rico crept back within one on an RBI triple by Adrian Padro in the top of the fourth.
• Padro led off the top of the sixth with a single for Puerto Rico and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at three.
• Three consecutive singles loaded the bases for Puerto Rico in the top of the seventh before Clausell hit a sacrifice fly to center to give his team its first lead of the game.
• Bonet continued to be a tough task for U.S. hitters as he retired the side in the bottom of the seventh to complete the 4-3 win.

NOTABLES

• Morlando continued his hot tournament with a hit on Saturday and has now collected a knock in seven of Team USA’s eight games played. The lefty is batting .389 with a .480 on-base percentage.
• Griffin has picked up three hits and scored three runs over Team USA’s last two games.
• Sterling finishes his tournament on the mound with a 1.86 ERA in 8.1 innings pitched, walking just one batter.
• Saturday’s loss was the first for Team USA against Puerto Rico in six all-time matchups at the U-18 level.

ON DECK

Team USA awaits its opponent for the bronze medal game at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. The bronze medal game is set for 2:00 p.m. local/2:00 a.m. ET and will be streaming live on Gametime.sport from Tianmu Baseball Stadium.

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TAIPEI, Taiwan – The 18U National Team wraps up World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round play on Saturday against Puerto Rico. First pitch is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. local/10:00 p.m. ET (Friday) at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP Jose Bulted (PUR) vs. RHP Levi Sterling (USA)

SUPER ROUND STANDINGS

Chinese Taipei (4-0)

Japan (3-1)

USA (2-2)

Korea (1-3)

Netherlands (1-3)

Puerto Rico (1-3)

LAST TIME OUT

Team USA notched its first Super Round victory on Friday afternoon, picking up a 5-1 win over Korea. After being held off the scoreboard through the game’s first four innings, big hits by Derek Curiel and PJ Morlando helped the U.S. put up a four-spot in the fifth. All four United States’ runs came with two outs in the fifth-inning rally, and Bryce Rainer added a sac fly in the sixth for some insurance.

The U.S. pitching continued its dominant stretch at the World Cup in Friday’s win. Ethan Schiefelbein had his second straight impressive start, tossing five innings of one-run ball and not walking a single batter. Schiefelbein turned it over to reliever Trey Gregory-Alford in the sixth, and the big right-hander got the final six outs to secure the win. Gregory-Alford now has three saves to lead all pitchers in the tournament, one ahead of teammate Noah Franco.

HISTORY AGAINST PUERTO RICO

Team USA has won all five matchups it has played against Puerto Rico at the U-18 level, starting with a 7-1 victory at the 2005 COPABE Pan Am “AAA” Championships. Saturday’s meeting will be just the second all-time between the two nations at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup – the U.S. won the only other contest, 7-0, in 2008.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

The No. 3 seed out of Group A, Puerto Rico went 3-2 in pool play and won one of its first two Super Round games. The squad got off to a hot start, beating Czechia, Australia, and Mexico to begin the group stage with a 3-0 record. However, it came up short against Korea and Chinese Taipei­–thus entering the Super Round with a 0-2 mark–before beating the Netherlands and dropping Friday’s game to Japan.

Yeriel Pastrana is the leading hitting for Puerto Rico, pacing the team with a .500 (6-for-12) average and three RBIs. Jan Luis Reyes and Adonys Velez have also chipped in three RBIs apiece to tie for the team lead. The team has posted a 4.92 ERA on the mound thus far with 45 strikeouts in 42.2 innings pitched, paced by Ibrahim Gonzalez’s 15 K’s in 9.1 innings.

INSIDE THE ROSTER

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion, Noah Franco, and PJ Morlando all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin, Ethan Schiefelbein, and Nolan Traeger–will reunite on this year’s roster, while two-time alum Jack McKernan and Coy James represent the 2022 15U squad. Bryce Rainer returns to Team USA and makes his second trip to Taiwan after playing for the 2017 12U team.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Additionally, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

DEFENDING GOLD

Team USA is aiming to defend its gold medal at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup after winning the title last summer in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida. The U.S. defeated Chinese Taipei in the world championship game in 2022, marking its ninth World Cup gold medal. The United States won four consecutive titles from 2012-2017, joining Cuba as the only two nations to win four straight World Cup gold medals.

ALUM AT THE HELM

Team USA manager Michael Cuddyer is only the second alumnus to play for and manage the 18U National Team, joining Jason Hisey, who played for the U.S. in 1987 and managed the squad in 2006. Cuddyer is a two-time 18U National Team alum, as he played for the program in both 1996 and 1997. In 1996, Cuddyer batted .367 with five RBIs on a roster that featured seven future big leaguers, including Rick Ankiel **and Josh Bard**. Cuddyer then posted a .397 average with an .853 slugging percentage while leading the U.S. in home runs (7) and RBIs (26) at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1997.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

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TAIPEI, Taiwan – The 18U National Team continues World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round play on Friday against Korea. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local/2:30 a.m. ET at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP Junseo Hwang (KOR) vs. LHP Ethan Schiefelbein (USA)

SUPER ROUND STANDINGS

Chinese Taipei (3-0)

Japan (2-1)

USA (1-2)

Korea (1-2)

Netherlands (1-2)

Puerto Rico (1-2)

LAST TIME OUT

Team USA fell in its Super Round opener to Chinese Taipei, 3-0, on Thursday night at Tianmu Baseball Stadium. Taipei’s Nian-Hao Wang drove in all three runs for the victors, skying a two-run homer to left in the third and adding an insurance run with an RBI single in the seventh. Tegan Kuhns was strong in his start despite the loss, tossing 5.2 innings of two-run ball to keep Team USA in the game. Kuhns worked around trouble in the outing, allowing four walks and three hits, but was able to keep Taipei in check aside from one swing by Wang in the third. PJ Morlando and Nolan Traeger had the only two hits for the United States, each notching two-out singles in the first and second innings, respectively.

HISTORY AGAINST KOREA

At the U-18 level, the United States and Korea have played one another 21 times. Team USA owns a slight series advantage over Korea, posting a 12-9 all-time record. The series began when the U.S. earned a 7-5 victory over Korea in the opening game of the 1988 World Junior Championships, while the most recent meeting was an 8-3 win for the stars and stripes at the 2021 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Korea enters Friday’s contest at 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Super Round, an identical record to the U.S. Emerging from Group A as the two seed, Korea dropped its tournament opener to Chinese Taipei before winning its next four games to go 4-1 in pool play. It fell in its first Super Round contest, however, losing a 7-1 contest to Japan on Thursday afternoon.

Korea is batting .271 as a team through its first six games, led by Sangjun Lee, who is batting .417 (5-for-12). Hyunmin Cho has tallied six hits and four runs scored, while Yulye Lee has a team-high six RBIs. On the mound, Korea owns a team ERA of 1.93 with 58 strikeouts in 40 innings pitched. Junseo Hwang, who is starting on Friday against Team USA, is 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA in two appearances at the World Cup.

INSIDE THE ROSTER

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion, Noah Franco, and PJ Morlando all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin, Ethan Schiefelbein, and Nolan Traeger–will reunite on this year’s roster, while two-time alum Jack McKernan and Coy James represent the 2022 15U squad. Bryce Rainer returns to Team USA and makes his second trip to Taiwan after playing for the 2017 12U team.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Additionally, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

DEFENDING GOLD

Team USA is aiming to defend its gold medal at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup after winning the title last summer in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida. The U.S. defeated Chinese Taipei in the world championship game in 2022, marking its ninth World Cup gold medal. The United States won four consecutive titles from 2012-2017, joining Cuba as the only two nations to win four straight World Cup gold medals.

ALUM AT THE HELM

Team USA manager Michael Cuddyer is only the second alumnus to play for and manage the 18U National Team, joining Jason Hisey, who played for the U.S. in 1987 and managed the squad in 2006. Cuddyer is a two-time 18U National Team alum, as he played for the program in both 1996 and 1997. In 1996, Cuddyer batted .367 with five RBIs on a roster that featured seven future big leaguers, including Rick Ankiel **and Josh Bard**. Cuddyer then posted a .397 average with an .853 slugging percentage while leading the U.S. in home runs (7) and RBIs (26) at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1997.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Box Score & Plays | Cumulative Stats

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Tegan Kuhns (Gettysburg, Pa.) pitched 5.2 strong innings, but Team USA fell to Chinese Taipei, 3-0, in the first game of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round on Thursday night at Tianmu Baseball Stadium.  

The U.S. is now 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Super Round standings, per WBSC tournament regulations. Chinese Taipei improves to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Super Round.

Taipei’s Nian-Hao Wang was the difference in Thursday’s contest. After a two-out walk put a runner on in the third, Wang sent a high fly ball over the left field wall for Taipei’s first hit, a two-run shot that gave it a 2-0 lead. Taipei starter Jun-Wei Zhang held the U.S. off the scoreboard from there, and Wang added an insurance run with a two-out RBI single in the seventh.

Zhang gave the Team USA lineup all it could handle, striking out seven over 6.1 shutout innings to earn the victory. Zhang permitted hits in the first and second innings but nothing after that, retiring 11 consecutive U.S. hitters before allowing a walk in the seventh. Yi-Lei Sun took over and recorded the final two outs to earn the save.

Despite suffering the loss, Kuhns delivered a strong outing on the mound for the stars and stripes. The right-hander scattered four walks and three hits in his 5.2 innings of work, striking out four and yielding just the two runs on Wang’s home run. Bryce Rainer (Simi Valley, Calif.) got the U.S. out of a jam in the sixth with a strikeout but allowed an insurance run in the seventh in relief, striking out a pair in his outing.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Chinese Taipei’s Ting-Lun Hsu was hit by the first pitch of the game but was erased on the basepaths on a strike-him-out, throw-him-out double play orchestrated by catcher Nolan Traeger (Spring, Texas).
• PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) notched the first hit of the day for Team USA in the bottom of the first by legging out an infield single before being stranded at first on an inning-ending fly out.
• A fielder’s choice ended the U.S. half of the third after Traeger singled up the middle for the United States’ second two-out hit in as many innings.
• Wang hit a two-run homer for Chinese Taipei’s first hit of the day to put Team USA in a 2-0 hole in the third.
• A bunt single by Chia-Wei Lin and a two-out walk chased Kuhns from the game in the sixth; Rainer then entered and notched a strikeout to keep the U.S. deficit at two.
• Wang hit an RBI single with two outs in the top of the seventh to drive in his third run of the game and put Chinese Taipei in front by three.
• Levi Clark (Marietta, Ga.) drew a one-out walk in the seventh to knock Zhang out of the game, but Sun got the final two outs in relief to complete the 3-0 victory for Chinese Taipei.

NOTABLES

• Morlando (1-for-3) and Traeger (1-for-3) had the only two hits for the United States in the contest.
• With his four strikeouts on Thursday, Kuhns is now tied with Ethan Schiefelbein (Corona, Calif.) for the team lead with eight punch outs.
• The loss was the first time the 18U National Team has been shut out since 2015 (vs. Japan).
• Team USA is now 22-10-1 all-time against Chinese Taipei at the U-18 level.

ON DECK

Team USA continues WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round play, taking on Korea on Friday at 2:30 p.m. local/2:30 a.m. ET. Catch all the action from Tianmu Baseball Stadium by watching live on Gametime.sport.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

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TAIPEI, Taiwan – The 18U National Team gets World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round play underway on Thursday, taking on Chinese Taipei. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. local/6:30 a.m. ET at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP Tegan Kuhns (USA) vs. RHP Jun-Wei Zhang (TPE)

SUPER ROUND STANDINGS

Chinese Taipei (2-0)

USA (1-1)

Japan (1-1)

Korea (1-1)

Netherlands (1-1)

Puerto Rico (0-2)

LAST TIME OUT

Team USA finished Group B action with a 4-1 victory over Venezuela on Tuesday to complete pool play with a 4-1 record. The U.S. got a strong outing on the mound from Levi Sterling, who tossed four shutout innings while the offense put up some early runs. It was an immediate 1-0 lead for the stars and stripes on Tuesday, as Coy James led off with a single and scored on an error in the bottom of the first. The other U.S. runs came in the second and third innings when Manny Marin scored on a wild pitch, Konnor Griffin hit a sacrifice fly, and Derek Curiel came home on a balk. Venezuela got the tying run to the plate in the sixth, but Joey Oakie entered in relief to put out the fire before Noah Franco recorded the final out to secure the win.

HISTORY AGAINST CHINESE TAIPEI

Team USA and Chinese Taipei have met 32 times at the U-18 level, with the U.S. holding a 22-9-1 advantage in the all-time series. The first-ever meeting between the two nations came in the opening game of the 1987 World Junior Championships, when the United States picked up a 10-0 victory. Most recently, the two nations faced off in the gold medal game of the 2021 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, which resulted in a 6-2 victory for the stars and stripes.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

The only remaining unbeaten team at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, Chinese Taipei went 5-0 in Group A play. The reigning silver medalists opened play with a 3-0 win over Australia and beat Korea, 6-1. After consecutive 4-1 wins over Mexico and Czechia, Taipei finished pool play with a resounding 16-2 victory over previously undefeated Puerto Rico.

Offensively, Taipei is led by Ching-Hsien Ko, who is 7-for-11 with a home run and four runs scored so far in tournament play. Chao-Hung Chang poses a power threat in Taipei’s order as he has hit two home runs and driven in seven runs through five games. The club is batting .300 as a team and has scored 36 runs in five contests. On the mound, Taipei owns a 0.85 team ERA and has punched out 35 batters in 33 innings pitched. It has gotten the most innings out of Yi-Lei Sun, who has tossed nine scoreless frames allowing just three hits.

SUPER ROUND SUCCESS

Dating back four tournaments, Team USA has experienced great success in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round. The team is 11-1 in its past 12 Super Round games, with its only loss coming last summer against Chinese Taipei. The United States went unbeaten through the Super Round in 2015, 2017, and 2019, winning gold in two of those tournaments.

INSIDE THE ROSTER

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion, Noah Franco, and PJ Morlando all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin, Ethan Schiefelbein, and Nolan Traeger–will reunite on this year’s roster, while two-time alum Jack McKernan and Coy James represent the 2022 15U squad. Bryce Rainer returns to Team USA and makes his second trip to Taiwan after playing for the 2017 12U team.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Additionally, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

DEFENDING GOLD

Team USA is aiming to defend its gold medal at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup after winning the title last summer in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida. The U.S. defeated Chinese Taipei in the world championship game in 2022, marking its ninth World Cup gold medal. The United States won four consecutive titles from 2012-2017, joining Cuba as the only two nations to win four straight World Cup gold medals.

ALUM AT THE HELM

Team USA manager Michael Cuddyer is only the second alumnus to play for and manage the 18U National Team, joining Jason Hisey, who played for the U.S. in 1987 and managed the squad in 2006. Cuddyer is a two-time 18U National Team alum, as he played for the program in both 1996 and 1997. In 1996, Cuddyer batted .367 with five RBIs on a roster that featured seven future big leaguers, including Rick Ankiel and Josh Bard. Cuddyer then posted a .397 average with an .853 slugging percentage while leading the U.S. in home runs (7) and RBIs (26) at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1997.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Box Score & Plays | Cumulative Stats

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Levi Sterling (Los Angeles, Calif.) pitched four shutout innings as the United States took down Venezuela, 4-1, in its pool play finale at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup on Tuesday afternoon at Tianmu Baseball Stadium.

The U.S. finishes pool play with a 4-1 mark, while Venezuela’s record sits at 1-4.

Despite tossing four scoreless innings, Sterling’s day had a tumultuous beginning when Venezuela collected back-to-back hits to put two in scoring position with no outs in the first. The right-hander locked in, however, getting a ground out, fly out, and strikeout to strand both runners on base and get the momentum back on the U.S. side. When Venezuela then put runners on in the third and fourth innings, Sterling–who earned the win–quickly erased them with inning-ending double plays to keep a zero on the scoreboard. Jack McKernan (Missouri City, Texas) then yielded a run in 1.2 innings of work before Joey Oakie (Ankeny, Iowa) and Noah Franco (Downey, Calif.) combined to finish off the victory.

Offensively, it was a quiet day for the U.S., which only collected three hits. Manny Marin (Miami, Fla.) kept his hot bat going, notching a hit for the fifth consecutive game. Derek Curiel (West Covina, Calif.) and Coy James (Advance, N.C.) delivered the only other knocks for the stars and stripes, while PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) drew a pair of walks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Two consecutive hits put runners on second and third with nobody out in the top of the first for Venezuela, but Sterling induced a ground out, fly out, and strikeout to escape unscathed.
• James led off the U.S. half of the first with a single, advanced to second on a walk, and then scored on a fielder’s choice and throwing error to give Team USA an early 1-0 lead.
• A single and a hit batter put two on with one out for Venezuela in the third, but Sterling again got out of trouble by coaxing a 5-4-3 double play to keep the one-run lead intact.
• After a well-struck single put Marin aboard to begin the third inning, he made his way around the bases and scored on a wild pitch as the United States’ lead became 2-0.
• The U.S. advantage grew to four in the third on a sacrifice fly by Konnor Griffin (Florence, Miss.) that plated James and a balk that brought Curiel home from third.
• A two-out rally led to Venezuela cracking the scoreboard in the sixth on an RBI single by Francisco Rivero.
• Venezuela brought the tying run to the plate in the sixth before Oakie entered to put out the fire, getting a big swinging strikeout as the U.S. held onto its 4-1 lead.
• A sliding catch by Curiel in right center field recorded the final out of the 4-1 victory for Team USA.

NOTABLES

• Collecting a hit in all five games of pool play, Marin owns a .500 batting average to lead the team. His two doubles also lead the club at the completion of Group B play.
• James’ leadoff single in the first was his team-leading sixth hit of the tournament. His six knocks tie for second among all players in the World Cup.
• Sterling joins Carter Johnson (Oxford, Ala.) and Ethan Schiefelbein (Corona, Calif.) as the three U.S. starters to toss at least four innings and allow no runs.
• By permitting just one run in Tuesday’s victory, the United States lowered its tournament ERA to 1.80.
• The U.S. improves to 17-3 against Venezuela all-time at the U-18 level and 8-1 at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.

ON DECK

Team USA advances to the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Super Round, where it will play three games with the schedule to be announced later this evening. Catch all the action from Tianmu Baseball Stadium by watching live on Gametime.sport.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

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TAIPEI, Taiwan – The 18U National Team looks to finish pool play with a 4-1 record as it takes on Venezuela in its Group B finale. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local/2:30 a.m. ET at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.

PITCHING MATCHUP

RHP Brian Fernandez (VEN) vs. RHP Levi Sterling (USA)

LAST TIME OUT

Team USA got back in the win column with a 6-4 victory over Panama on Monday night. Starting with Coy James’ leadoff single, the U.S. came out of the gates hot in the victory and scored six runs in the first three innings, including a four-run third. The first two tallies of the third-inning outburst came when Konnor Griffin reached on a fielder’s choice and the throw got away to bring in a pair of runs, and then Noah Franco and Manny Marin each had RBI knocks to extend the advantage to six.

Matthew Champion pitched five innings of two-run ball to earn the win. The California native was nearly spotless through the first four before yielding a pair of runs in the fifth. When the lead dwindled to 6-4 in the sixth, Trey Gregory-Alford entered and slammed the door with a four-out save to lock down the win.

HISTORY AGAINST VENEZUELA

Since first meeting in 1992 at the Junior World Championships, Team USA owns a 16-3 all-time record against Venezuela at the U-18 level. The most recent contest between the two sides was at the 2022 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier, when the U.S. notched a 16-3 win. The United States is 7-1 all-time against Venezuela at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Venezuela enters Tuesday’s contest at 1-3 and has already been eliminated from potential Super Round play. It opened tournament play falling 13-4 to Panama before dropping an 8-2 contest to the Netherlands. After getting back on track with a 6-1 defeat of Spain, Venezuela was shutout by Japan on Monday to drop to 1-3.

INSIDE THE ROSTER

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion, Noah Franco, and PJ Morlando all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin, Ethan Schiefelbein, and Nolan Traeger–will reunite on this year’s roster, while two-time alum Jack McKernan and Coy James represent the 2022 15U squad. Bryce Rainer returns to Team USA and makes his second trip to Taiwan after playing for the 2017 12U team.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Additionally, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

30 FOR 30

The U.S. is the only nation in the world to compete in all 30 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cups. The first edition of the tournament was held in 1981 in Newark, New Jersey, when the U.S. grabbed a silver medal. Chinese Taipei has played in 29 World Cups, while Australia has participated in the event on 28 different occasions.

GROUP B STANDINGS

Japan (4-0)

USA (3-1)

Netherlands (3-1)

Panama (1-3)

Venezuela (1-3)

Spain (0-4)

Box Score & Plays | Cumulative Stats

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Team USA scored four runs in the third inning and Trey Gregory-Alford (Colorado Springs, Colo.) earned a four-out save in a 6-4 win over Panama on Monday night in World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup Group B play at Tianmu Baseball Stadium.

The win improves Team USA’s record to 3-1 in Group B. Panama is now 1-3 through its first four World Cup games.

Already leading by two entering the third, the U.S. put up a four-spot to extend its lead and pull away from Panama. The rally began when Derek Curiel (West Covina, Calif.) drew a walk in between singles by Coy James (Advance, N.C.) and PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) to load the bases. Konnor Griffin (Florence, Miss.) then drove in one run on a fielder’s choice before another came home to score on an error to make it a 4-0 lead, and to cap it off, Noah Franco (Downey, Calif.) and Manny Marin (Miami, Fla.) smacked back-to-back hits to put the United States up by six.

Panama scored two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to creep within two runs at 6-4, but Gregory-Alford entered and slammed the door over the final 1.1 innings to secure the U.S. win.

James (2-for-4, 2 R) and Marin (2-for-3, RBI) each had two-hit games to pace Team USA offensively. Franco was all over the box score as well, going 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI. Griffin collected the only other RBI for the U.S. with his third-inning fielder’s choice.

Matthew Champion (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) was handed the ball to start for the stars and stripes. The right-hander pitched five innings of two-run ball to earn the win, working four shutout frames before allowing two in the fifth. Griffin entered in relief and nearly escaped a jam but allowed two runs, making way for Gregory-Alford take over and earn the four-out save.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• An infield single put James on to start the game and he eventually came home to score on a double steal to put the U.S. in front by a run in the first.
• Levi Clark (Marietta, Ga.) singled up the middle to begin Team USA’s second inning, later scoring on a throwing error to extend the early lead to 2-0.
• With the bases loaded and no outs in the third, Griffin reached on a fielder’s choice to bring home one run before a throwing error let another U.S. run cross home plate and make it a 4-0 score.
• Back-to-back two-out hits by Franco and Marin each plated a run to cap the four-run third and put the stars and stripes in front by six.
• Champion got through four shutout frames, but Panama finally scratched a pair across in the bottom of the fifth on RBI singles by Yeremy Sanchez and Julio Casas to make it 6-2 in favor of the United States.
• Panama scored twice more in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out, two-run single by Hector Rayo, but Gregory-Alford entered and picked up a big strikeout to keep Team USA’s lead at 6-4.
• Gregory-Alford returned to the mound in the bottom of the seventh and worked around a leadoff walk to lock down the 6-4 U.S. victory.

NOTABLES

• Marin’s two-hit day raised his tournament batting average to .500. The shortstop has a hit in all four games of the World Cup, including two doubles.
• James had two hits and scored twice in the win for the second time in the World Cup. The North Carolina native had an identical stat line in Saturday’s win over Spain.
• With his leadoff single in the second, Clark has now collected a hit in all three of his starts and is 3-for-6 in tournament play.
• Team USA can secure a spot in the Super Round ahead of its pool play finale if Japan beats Venezuela in this evening’s Group B matchup.
• The U.S. is now 24-2 all-time against Panama since the two clubs first met in 1987.

ON DECK

Team USA will wrap up the pool play portion of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup against Venezuela at 2:30 p.m. local/2:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday. Catch all the action from Tianmu Baseball Stadium by watching live on Gametime.sport.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

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TAIPEI, Taiwan – The 18U National Team looks to bounce back from its first loss at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup, taking on Panama in Group B play. First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. local/5:00 a.m. ET at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.

PITCHING MATCHUP

LHP Matthew Champion (USA) vs. RHP Anthony Gantes (PAN)

LAST TIME OUT

The U.S. suffered its first loss of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup on Sunday night, falling in heartbreaking fashion to Japan, 4-3. Trailing 4-0 and down to its final out, Team USA rallied for three runs and got the tying run in scoring position before a strikeout ended the comeback threat. Coy James and Manny Marin collected RBI knocks in the last-minute rally, and Bryce Clavon scored on a wild pitch. Derek Curiel went 2-for-4 with a double to pace the stars and stripes offensively; PJ Morlando also collected a double.

On the mound, Cooper Williams was solid for Team USA. After a two-out, two-run triple put him in an early hole, the southpaw battled and finished his night with two perfect innings to toss four frames overall. Tegan Kuhns (2 ER, 2 IP) and Joey Oakie (0 ER, 1 IP) also got work in on the mound in the setback.

HISTORY AGAINST PANAMA

After first meeting at the 1987 World Junior Championship in Windsor, Ontario, the U.S. and Panama have since played one another 24 times at the U-18 level. Team USA holds a 23-2 all-time record against Panama, including its most recent 11-1 victory in the gold medal game of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier. The two nations haven’t met at the WBSC U-18 World Cup since 2002, when the stars and stripes picked up a 21-2 win.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Panama enters Monday’s contest with a 1-2 record in Group B play. After opening the World Cup with a commanding 13-4 win over Venezuela, it has suffered two consecutive setbacks: a 7-0 loss to Japan and a 4-3 defeat against the Netherlands. The squad is led offensively by Julio Cesar Casas Lopez, who is 4-for-9 with three RBIs through three games. Jose David Bernal Carrion also has three runs batted in for the Panamanians. On the mound, Panama owns a 3.85 team ERA and has a 15:10 K/BB ratio through 20 innings pitched.

INSIDE THE ROSTER

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion, Noah Franco, and PJ Morlando all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin, Ethan Schiefelbein, and Nolan Traeger–will reunite on this year’s roster, while two-time alum Jack McKernan and Coy James represent the 2022 15U squad. Bryce Rainer returns to Team USA and makes his second trip to Taiwan after playing for the 2017 12U team.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Additionally, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

ALUM AT THE HELM

Team USA manager Michael Cuddyer is only the second alumnus to play for and manage the 18U National Team, joining Jason Hisey, who played for the U.S. in 1987 and managed the squad in 2006. Cuddyer is a two-time 18U National Team alum, as he played for the program in both 1996 and 1997. In 1996, Cuddyer batted .367 with five RBIs on a roster that featured seven future big leaguers, including Rick Ankieland** Josh Bard**. Cuddyer then posted a .397 average with an .853 slugging percentage while leading the U.S. in home runs (7) and RBIs (26) at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1997.

GROUP B STANDINGS

Japan (3-0)

USA (2-1)

Netherlands (2-1)

Panama (1-2)

Venezuela (1-2)

Spain (0-3)

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Box Score & Plays | Cumulative Stats

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Team USA mounted a furious two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh but ultimately fell just short, losing 4-3 to Japan in Opening Round action at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup on Sunday night at Tianmu Baseball Stadium.

The loss drops the U.S. to 2-1 in Group B. Japan improves to 3-0 and sits atop the group standings.

Japan put the U.S. in an early hole with a two-out, two-run triple in the top of the first before building a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the seventh. Trailing by four and down to their final out, the stars and stripes rallied for three runs and put the tying run in scoring position before coming up just short. The rally began when–after coming in as a pinch runner–Bryce Clavon (Kennesaw, Ga.) scampered home on a wild pitch to get the U.S. on the board. Manny Marin (Miami, Fla.) and Coy James (Advance, N.C.) followed with RBI singles to make it 4-3, but Japan’s Kodai Mora was able to get a game-ending strikeout to strand the tying run at second and end the game.

Cooper Williams (Alvin, Texas) started on the mound for the United States, pitching four innings and allowing just the two early runs but ultimately suffering the loss. Williams got into trouble again in the second inning but escaped before turning in two perfect frames to finish his night. Tegan Kuhns (Hagerstown, Md.) allowed a pair of runs in two innings of relief before Joey Oakie (Ankeny, Iowa) tossed a scoreless seventh. Japan’s Yugo Maeda proved to be a difficult task for the U.S. offense, striking out eight in 5.2 shutout innings to earn the win.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Japan struck for two early runs on a two-run triple to left center by Haruto Morita. The three-bagger brought home Ren Ogata and Hayaka Kobayashi, who reached on a hit-by-pitch and a fielder’s choice, respectively.
• Team USA got singles in each of the first two innings off the bat of Derek Curiel (West Covina, Calif.) and Carter Johnson (Oxford, Ala.), but Maeda was able to strand the runners each time.
• PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) led off the top of the fourth with a double; however, after a long umpire review, he was then doubled up on a Konnor Griffin (Florence, Miss.) ground out to thwart the U.S. rally.
• Japan’s Syuya Yamada drew a one-out walk in the fourth, and–after back-to-back singles by Ogata and Kobayashi–he came home to score on a wild pitch to increase the Japan lead to 3-0.
• The Japan advantage became 4-0 in the fifth when Ryusei Terachi hit an RBI double to left center to bring home Koga Hashimoto.
• Levi Clark (Marietta, Ga.) singled with one out in the seventh to kickstart the U.S. rally; he was replaced by pinch runner Clavon, who later came home on a wild pitch to make it 4-1 Japan.
• Marin hit an RBI single to plate Team USA’s second run of the seventh, socking a line drive into center field as the U.S. deficit became just two.
• Japan’s lead dwindled to 4-3 with two outs in the seventh as James kept the rally alive with an RBI single of his own to center field, scoring Bryce Rainer (Simi Valley, Calif.).
• Curiel put together a strong at-bat with the tying run on second base and battled to a full count before striking out to end the game.

NOTABLES

• Curiel went 2-for-4 with a double to pace the U.S. offense. Morlando’s fourth-inning double was Team USA’s only other extra-base hit of the night.
• Clark picked up a hit in the seventh-inning rally and has now collected a knock in each of his two starts.
• The stars and stripes’ three runs in the seventh inning were the first that Japan has allowed all tournament. Japanese pitchers had tossed 19 scoreless innings prior to the three-run rally.
• With five combined strikeouts from Kuhns and Williams on Sunday, the U.S. pitching staff has now struck out exactly 21 batters in 21 innings pitched.
• The United States is now 7-2 all-time against Japan at the U-18 level.

ON DECK

The stars and stripes take on Panama on Monday at 2:30 p.m. local/2:30 a.m. ET as they continue Group B play. Catch all the action from Tianmu Baseball Stadium by watching live on Gametime.sport.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

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TAIPEI, Taiwan – The 18U National Team looks to stay perfect at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup, playing Japan in its third pool play matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. local/3:00 a.m. ET at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.

PITCHING MATCHUP

LHP Yugo Maeda (JPN) vs. Cooper Williams (USA)

LAST TIME OUT

Team USA maintained its spotless record with a 6-2 victory over Spain on Saturday afternoon. The stars and stripes came out firing in the victory, scoring five of their six runs in the first two innings. Coy James hit two triples to pace the U.S. offense in the victory, with each of them coming in the first two frames. PJ Morlando added an RBI triple of his own as part of Team USA’s early barrage. Konnor Griffin went 2-for-3 and drew a walk in the win.

Carter Johnson provided five shutout innings for Team USA on the mound, allowing just two hits in his outing. Johnson allowed a hit to the first batter he faced but locked in after that, striking out three batters in the contest. Noah Franco finished off the win for Team USA with three strikeouts over two innings.

HISTORY AGAINST JAPAN

Team USA has played Japan eight times at the U-18 level and holds a 7-1 all-time record in the series. The U.S. and Japan first played in the 1999 IBAF World Junior Championships, as the stars and stripes picked up a 5-3 win. The last meeting between the two squads came in 2022, when the U.S. earned a walk-off win to secure a spot in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup title game.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Japan (2-0) is the only other unbeaten team in Group B. The World No. 1 opened tournament play with a 10-0 victory over Spain before notching a 7-0 win against Panama on Saturday. Japan's pitching has been dominant in the early stages of the tournament; it has not allowed a single run, permitting just five hits and striking out 19 batters in 13 innings. On offense, Ren Ogata is a perfect 6-for-6 with a triple and two runs scored to pace the Japanese. Hayaka Kobayashi has collected five hits in seven at-bats while driving in a tournament-high four runs.

SETTING THE TONE

U.S. starting pitchers are yet to allow a run through two games at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. Ethan Schiefelbein got the scoreless streak started with four shutout frames against the Netherlands on Friday before Carter Johnson tossed five shutout frames on Saturday against Spain.

INSIDE THE ROSTER

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion, Noah Franco, and PJ Morlando all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin, Ethan Schiefelbein, and Nolan Traeger–will reunite on this year’s roster, while two-time alum Jack McKernan and Coy James represent the 2022 15U squad. Bryce Rainer returns to Team USA and makes his second trip to Taiwan after playing for the 2017 12U team.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Additionally, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

ALUM AT THE HELM

Team USA manager Michael Cuddyer is only the second alumnus to play for and manage the 18U National Team, joining Jason Hisey, who played for the U.S. in 1987 and managed the squad in 2006. Cuddyer is a two-time 18U National Team alum, as he played for the program in both 1996 and 1997. In 1996, Cuddyer batted .367 with five RBIs on a roster that featured seven future big leaguers, including Rick Ankieland** Josh Bard**. Cuddyer then posted a .397 average with an .853 slugging percentage while leading the U.S. in home runs (7) and RBIs (26) at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1997.

GROUP B STANDINGS

USA (2-0)

Japan (2-0)

Netherlands (1-1)

Panama (1-1)

Spain (0-2)

Venezuela (0-2)

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Box Score & Plays | Cumulative Stats

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Team USA scored five runs in the first two innings en route to a 6-2 win over Spain in Opening Round action at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup at Tianmu Baseball Stadium on Saturday.

The result keeps the United States unbeaten at 2-0 and drops Spain to 0-2 at the World Cup.

Team USA came out of the gates firing on Saturday, scoring three runs in the first and two more in the second to take a commanding lead. The U.S. smoked three triples in the game’s first two innings, including two from leadoff hitter Coy James (Advance, N.C.). James (2-for-4, RBI) was one of two Team USA hitters to collect multiple hits in the win, joined by Konnor Griffin (Florence, Miss.), who went 2-for-3 with a walk. Derek Curiel (West Covina, Calif.), Carter Johnson (Oxford, Ala.), Manny Marin (Miami, Fla.), and PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) all tacked on RBIs.

Johnson got the start on the mound for Team USA and delivered in a big way, turning in five shutout innings to earn the win. After allowing a hit to the first batter he faced, Johnson permitted just one more knock over the remainder of his outing and struck out three batters along the way. Noah Franco (Downey, Calif.) also punched out three while getting the final six outs on the mound for the stars and stripes. Diego Alcala started for Spain and suffered the loss, allowing five runs in 1.2 innings of work.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• James ignited the U.S. offense immediately, tripling on the first pitch of the game and coming home on a pickoff play to put Team USA in the lead.
• Morlando hit the stars and stripes’ second triple of the inning to right field, bringing home Griffin to extend the U.S. lead to two in the first.
• Johnson capped the three-run first inning by skying a sacrifice fly to right field to plate Morlando and make it a 3-0 score.
• After Johnson kept Spain off the board in the second, the advantage became four when Marin drew a walk to begin the U.S half of the frame before coming around to score on James’ second triple in as many innings.
• Curiel’s RBI ground out to second brought home James and grew Team USA’s lead to 5-0 in the second.
• Johnson kept the Spain offense in check in the middle innings, tossing a perfect third and inducing a pair of double plays over the following two frames to maintain his shutout.
• The stars and stripes extended their advantage to six when Levi Sterling (Los Angeles, Calif.) was hit in the back by the first pitch of the fifth inning before later scoring on a bloop single by Marin.
• Spain rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on a throwing error and an RBI single before Franco coaxed a game-ending fly out to lock down the 6-2 win.

NOTABLES

• With Johnson’s five scoreless innings, U.S. starters have now combined for nine shutout innings over the first two games of the tournament. Ethan Schiefelbein (Corona, Calif.) tossed four scoreless frames in Friday’s win over the Netherlands.
• James became the seventh player in 18U National Team history to hit two triples in a single game, joining a list that features Pete Crow-Armstrong, Druw Jones, Aidan Miller, and Justin Upton.
• Team USA sits atop Group B with a 2-0 record. The stars and stripes are joined by undefeated Japan and Panama, who match up against one another on Saturday night.
• The U.S. improves to 3-0 all-time against Spain at the U-18 level. Saturday was the first meeting between the two sides since 2006.

ON DECK

The U.S. returns to the field again on Sunday, taking on Japan at 3:00 p.m. local/3:00 a.m. ET. Catch all the action from Tianmu Baseball Stadium by watching live on Gametime.sport.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

WATCH LIVE ON GAMETIME ($)

TAIPEI, Taiwan – The 18U National Team will continue play at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup, taking on Spain in its second pool play matchup. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. local/2:30 a.m. ET at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.

PITCHING MATCHUP

Carter Johnson (USA) vs. Diego Alcala (ESP)

LAST TIME OUT

The U.S. is coming off a tournament-opening 2-1 victory over the Netherlands on Friday to begin World Cup play unbeaten for the ninth consecutive tournament. Friday’s win was a nail-biter, as Ethan Schiefelbein tossed four scoreless to start before Team USA fell behind 1-0 in the fifth. But the stars and stripes proved their resiliency, bouncing back to score twice and taking the lead on Bryce Rainer’s RBI fielder’s choice. Rainer and Trey Gregory-Alford combined to pitch the final three innings, with Rainer earning the win and Gregoy-Alford notching the save in a 2-1 victory for the United States.

HISTORY AGAINST SPAIN

The United States and Spain have met only twice at the U-18 level, with Team USA emerging victorious on both occasions. The first meeting was in 2002 at the XX “AAA” World Junior Baseball Championship (13-3 USA), while the two sides most recently battled at the 2006 iteration of the tournament (11-1 USA).

DEFENDING GOLD

Team USA is aiming to defend its gold medal at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup after winning the title last summer in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida. The U.S. defeated Chinese Taipei in the world championship game in 2022, marking its ninth World Cup gold medal. The United States won four consecutive titles from 2012-2017, joining Cuba as the only two nations to win four straight World Cup gold medals.

INSIDE THE ROSTER

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Noah Franco (Downey, Calif), and PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin (Florence, Miss), Ethan Schiefelbein (Corona, Calif.), and Nolan Traeger (Spring, Texas)–will reunite on this year’s roster, while two-time alum Jack McKernan (Missouri City, Texas) and Coy James (Advance, N.C.) represent the 2022 15U squad. Bryce Rainer (Simi Valley, Calif.) returns to Team USA and makes his second trip to Taiwan after playing for the 2017 12U team.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Additionally, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie (Ankeny, Iowa)–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

ALUM AT THE HELM

Team USA manager Michael Cuddyer is only the second alumnus to play for and manage the 18U National Team, joining Jason Hisey, who played for the U.S. in 1987 and managed the squad in 2006. Cuddyer is a two-time 18U National Team alum, as he played for the program in both 1996 and 1997. In 1996, Cuddyer batted .367 with five RBIs on a roster that featured seven future big leaguers, including Rick Ankieland** Josh Bard**. Cuddyer then posted a .397 average with an .853 slugging percentage while leading the U.S. in home runs (7) and RBIs (26) at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1997.

30 FOR 30

The U.S. is the only nation in the world to compete in all 30 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cups. The first edition of the tournament was held in 1981 in Newark, New Jersey, when the U.S. grabbed a silver medal. Chinese Taipei has played in 29 World Cups, while Australia has participated in the event on 28 different occasions.

GROUP B STANDINGS

USA (1-0)

Japan (1-0)

Panama (1-0)

Netherlands (0-1)

Spain (0-1)

Venezuela (0-1)

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

Box Score & Plays | Cumulative Stats

TAIPEI, Taiwan – Team USA opened play at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup with a 2-1 win over the Netherlands on Friday afternoon at Tianmu Baseball Stadium.

With the win, the stars and stripes begin tournament play with a 1-0 record while the Netherlands drops to 0-1.

After a pitcher’s duel led by Ethan Schiefelbein (Corona, Calif.) kept the game scoreless into the top of the fifth, the Netherlands broke the tie on a U.S. throwing error to take a 1-0 lead. But after being faced with its first adversity of the tournament, Team USA responded immediately in the bottom of the fifth by wreaking havoc on the basepaths to tie it before Bryce Rainer (Simi Valley, Calif.) legged out a go-ahead fielder’s choice to take a 2-1 lead that the U.S. would go on to win by.

Team USA only mustered four hits in the win, with Manny Marin’s (Miami, Fla.) leadoff double in the fifth arguably being the biggest knock of the game. Levi Clark (Marietta, Ga.), Derek Curiel (West Covina, Calif.), and PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) chipped in the other three hits of the day for the stars and stripes, who also drew six walks.

The U.S. pitching was dominant, led by Schiefelbein’s four-inning start. The southpaw was nearly unhittable, striking out eight–including five consecutive batters over the first and second innings–and allowing just one single. Rainer then took over and earned the win with 1.2 innings of relief, surrendering just an unearned run in the fifth. Trey Gregory-Alford (Colorado Springs, Colo.) pitched the final 1.1 innings to record the four-out save.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Three U.S. hitters reached base after Schiefelbein retired the side in order in the top of the first, but an inning-ending ground out kept the game scoreless through one.
• Schiefelbein registered a big strikeout to maintain the scoreless tie after a walk and two-out single put a pair on for the Netherlands in the top of the third.
• After leading off the bottom of the third with a bunt and then stealing second, Curiel took third but was thrown out at home trying to advance on an errant throw as the game remained deadlocked at zero.
• Clark’s fourth-inning single gave the U.S. a leadoff hit for the second consecutive inning, but the score stayed 0-0 as the stars and stripes couldn’t turn it into a run.
• Despite retiring the first two batters out the bullpen in the top of the fifth, Rainer surrendered an unearned run on a throwing error that gave the Netherlands a 1-0 lead.
• Team USA answered immediately in the bottom of the fifth, scoring twice to take a 2-1 edge. Marin got the rally started with a leadoff double, and after Curiel walked and Marin took third on a passed ball­, a perfectly executed double steal knotted the score at one.
• With the bases loaded and one out, Rainer hit a hard ground ball and legged out a fielder’s choice that plated Curiel and gave the United States a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the fifth.
• An infield single and a walk put a pair of Netherlands’ runners on and eventually in scoring position, but Gregory-Alford coaxed a ground out to halt the threat and maintain the 2-1 U.S. edge in the sixth. 
• Gregory-Alford returned to the mound for the top of the seventh and worked around a two-out single to earn a four-out save and secure the 2-1 win.

NOTABLES

• Led by Curiel’s three stolen bases, the United States swiped six bags in the win. Curiel’s three stolen bases tie him for third-most all-time in a single game in 18U National Team history.
• Schiefelbein’s eight strikeouts tie him for the early tournament lead with Chinese Taipei’s Yi-Lei Sun.
• Each of the first four hitters in the Team USA lineup drew a walk in Friday’s victory.
• The United States has now won nine consecutive tournament openers at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. The stars and stripes last dropped a World Cup opening game in 2006.
• The U.S. improves to 14-0 all-time against the Netherlands at the U-18 level, dating back to the nations’ first meeting in 1989.

ON DECK

Team USA is back in action on Saturday when it takes on Spain at 2:30 p.m. local/2:30 a.m. ET. Catch all the action from Tianmu Baseball Stadium by watching live on Gametime.sport.

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

WATCH LIVE ON GAMETIME ($)

TAIPEI, Taiwan – The 18U National Team is set to begin play at the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup, taking on the Netherlands. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. local/10:30 p.m. ET at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taipei, Taiwan.

It will be the first of five pool play games at the World Cup.

PITCHING MATCHUP

LHP Ethan Schiefelbein (USA) vs. LHP Maxwell Cornelissen (NED)

HISTORY AGAINST THE NETHERLANDS

Team USA has met the Netherlands 13 times in international play and is yet to drop a game, posting a 13-0 record. The two nations first met at the 1989 World Junior Championships, resulting in a 14-0 victory for the stars and stripes. The U.S. and the Netherlands most recently competed against one another in last year’s World Cup opener, which Team USA won, 9-3.

DEFENDING GOLD

Team USA is aiming to defend its gold medal at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup after winning the title last summer in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida. The U.S. defeated Chinese Taipei in the world championship game in 2022, marking its ninth World Cup gold medal. The United States won four consecutive titles from 2012-2017, joining Cuba as the only two nations to win four straight World Cup gold medals.

INSIDE THE ROSTER

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Noah Franco (Downey, Calif), and PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin (Florence, Miss), Ethan Schiefelbein (Corona, Calif.), and Nolan Traeger (Spring, Texas)–will reunite on this year’s roster, while two-time alum Jack McKernan (Missouri City, Texas) and Coy James (Advance, N.C.) represent the 2022 15U squad. Bryce Rainer (Simi Valley, Calif.) returns to Team USA and makes his second trip to Taiwan after playing for the 2017 12U team.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Additionally, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie (Ankeny, Iowa)–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

ALUM AT THE HELM

Team USA manager Michael Cuddyer is only the second alumnus to play for and manage the 18U National Team, joining Jason Hisey, who played for the U.S. in 1987 and managed the squad in 2006. Cuddyer is a two-time 18U National Team alum, as he played for the program in both 1996 and 1997. In 1996, Cuddyer batted .367 with five RBIs on a roster that featured seven future big leaguers, including Rick Ankiel and Josh Bard. Cuddyer then posted a .397 average with an .853 slugging percentage while leading the U.S. in home runs (7) and RBIs (26) at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in New Brunswick, Canada, in 1997.

30 FOR 30

The U.S. is the only nation in the world to compete in all 30 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cups. The first edition of the tournament was held in 1981 in Newark, New Jersey, when the U.S. grabbed a silver medal. Chinese Taipei has played in 29 World Cups, while Australia has participated in the event on 28 different occasions.

GROUP B

The stars and stripes are in Group B for the Opening Round of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. The team is joined in Group B by World No. 1 Japan, as well as Venezuela (No. 6), the Netherlands (No. 8), Panama (No. 14), and Spain (No. 21).

SOCIAL MEDIA

To follow along with all the action with the 18U National Team, be sure to follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.

TAIPEI, Taiwan – In its first action in Taiwan and final tune-up before the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup, Team USA beat Chinese Taipei, 7-5, in exhibition action on Tuesday evening at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium.

The U.S. offense got to work immediately in the bottom of the first. Coy James (Advance, N.C.) singled to lead off the frame before stealing second and advancing to third on a ground out. James then came home on an RBI ground out by PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.), the first of two Morlando RBIs on the day.

The one early run turned out to be all U.S. starter Levi Sterling (Los Angeles, Calif.) needed. The right hander was lights-out in his three innings of work, pitching efficiently to keep Chinese Taipei’s offense in check.

As Sterling mowed down the Taipei bats, the same three U.S. hitters were in the middle of a two-run third. James began the inning with another leadoff knock to right field and quickly came around to score a batter later when Konnor Griffin (Florence, Miss.) socked an RBI triple off the wall in left.

Griffin came home from third moments later on Morlando’s RBI single, his second run batted in of the evening to extend the U.S. lead to 3-0.

After Taipei capitalized on some wild pitching and errant U.S. defense to scratch two across in the top of the third, Team USA responded immediately with four more of its own in the bottom of the inning. Manny Marin (Miami, Fla.) singled to start the outburst, followed by a Derek Curiel (West Covina, Calif.) hit-by-pitch and a walk drawn by James. Griffin then came to the plate with the bases loaded and hit a hard grounder to the shortstop, resulting in an error and growing the lead to 5-2.

Then, after James scored one batter later on a wild pitch, Nolan Traeger (Spring, Texas) smoked a single right back up the middle to cap the four-run rally and give Team USA a 7-2 advantage.

Chinese Taipei added a trio of runs in the top of the fifth, taking advantage of a U.S. error as part of a rally that made the score 7-5. But Carter Johnson (Oxford, Ala.) entered a bases-loaded jam and coaxed a pop-up before getting into and out of another jam to keep Team USA in front by two.

Trey Gregory-Alford (Colorado Springs, Colo.) then took the hill and tossed a perfect seven-pitch seventh to secure the 7-5 win.

Team USA will now spend the next two days preparing to begin play at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. The U.S. opens tournament play on Friday at 10:30 a.m. local (Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET) against the Netherlands. To keep up with the 18U National Team, follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Instagram.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. – USA Baseball today finalized the 20-man roster for the 2023 18U National Team, following the conclusion of the 18U National Team Training Camp in San Juan Capistrano, California. Team USA will now travel to Taipei, Taiwan, to compete in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) U-18 Baseball World Cup from September 1-10.

The United States is the defending champion at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup after winning gold last summer in Bradenton and Sarasota, Florida.

“After an extremely competitive Training Camp process, we are excited to move forward with these twenty players,” said manager Michael Cuddyer. “There was no shortage of talent all week long, making this a difficult process for our coaching staff. Now that we have decided on our twenty players, it is time to shift our focus to defending our title next week in Taiwan.”

Nine players on the 2023 roster have previously played for Team USA. A trio of players from last year’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier squad return to the 18U National Team, as Matthew Champion (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Noah Franco (Downey, Calif), and PJ Morlando (Summerville, S.C.) all helped the U.S. win gold last November. In addition, three players from the 2021 15U National Team–Konnor Griffin (Florence, Miss), Ethan Schiefelbein (Corona, Calif.), and Nolan Traeger (Spring, Texas)–will reunite on this year’s roster.

A pair of 2022 15U gold medalists also earned spots on the 2023 18U roster. Coy James (Advance, N.C.), who was named the 2022 WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup Most Valuable Player, joins two-time Team USA alum and fellow gold medalist Jack McKernan (Missouri City, Texas) on this year’s team. Additionally, Bryce Rainer (Simi Valley, Calif.) returns to Team USA after playing for the 12U National Team in 2017.

The 2023 Prospect Development Pipeline (PDP) League featured 17 members of this year’s team. The PDP League, which serves as the primary identification event for the 18U National Team, is an invitation-based development and assessment opportunity for high school players eligible for the following year’s MLB Draft. Since its inception in 2019, it provides athletes with an extraordinary amateur experience, including competitive gameplay, player development sessions, educational seminars, and other programming to prepare players for a professional baseball career.

In addition to the alumni on this year’s roster, 14 members of the squad have previously participated in USA Baseball’s development programs. Three athletes who participated in the 2023 16U/17U National Team Development Program (NTDP)–James, McKernan, and Joey Oakie (Ankeny, Iowa)–earned spots on the final 20-man squad. Eleven members of the 2022 16U/17U NTDP and four players from the 2021 16U/17U NTDP roster were also named to the team. In addition, James and McKernan both participated in the 2021 13U/14U Athlete Development Program (ADP).

Two-time 18U National Team alum and former major leaguer Michael Cuddyer will be at the helm of the U.S. at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, making his international managerial debut. Cuddyer played for the 18U National Team in both 1996 and 1997 before being selected with the ninth overall pick in 1997 and spending 15 years in the big leagues, including two All-Star seasons. He will become just the second alumnus to play for and manage the 18U National Team, joining Jason Hisey, who played for the U.S. in 1987 before managing the team in 2006.

Cuddyer is joined on staff by pitching coach and 21-year big-leaguer LaTroy Hawkins, as well as assistant coaches Butch Chaffin and Jason Maxwell. Hawkins–who appeared in 1,042 games as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball–is making his first appearance on the 18U National Team staff. Chaffin and Maxwell have been on a combined five national team coaching staffs for USA Baseball. 

Team USA is the only nation to have competed in all 30 editions of the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. The stars and stripes have won 10 world championships, second to only Cuba’s eleven, including five of the last six. Overall, the 18U National Team has earned 15 gold medals, including its most recent title at last fall’s WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Americas Qualifier in La Paz and Los Cabos, Mexico.

The U.S. will begin its title defense on September 1 against the Netherlands. First pitch is set for 10:30 a.m. local time/10:30 p.m. ET (Aug. 31). To follow along with the 18U National Team, follow @USABaseball18U on Twitter and @USABaseball on Instagram.

The 2023 18U National Team roster is as follows:

2023 18U National Team
(Name; Position; Hometown; School)

• *^Matthew Champion; RHP; Laguna Niguel, Calif.; Jserra
• Levi Clark; C; Marietta, Ga.; Walton
• ^Bryce Clavon; INF/OF; Stockbridge, Ga.; Kell
• *^Derek Curiel; OF; West Covina, Calif.; Orange Lutheran
• *^Noah Franco; OF/LHP; Downey, Calif.; IMG Academy
• Trey Gregory-Alford; RHP; Colorado Springs, Colo.; Coronado
• *^Konnor Griffin; OF; Florence, Miss.; Jackson Preparatory
• *^Coy James; INF; Advance, N.C.; Davie County
• Carter Johnson; INF; Oxford, Ala.; Oxford
• ^Tegan Kuhns; RHP; Hagerstown, Md.; Gettysburg
• Burke-Lee Mabeus; C; Henderson, Nev.; Bishop Gorman
• Manny Marin; INF; Miami, Fla.; Westminster
• *^Jack McKernan; LHP; Missouri City, Texas; Ridge Point
• *^PJ Morlando; OF/INF; Summerville, S.C.; Summerville
• ^Joey Oakie; RHP; Ankeny, Iowa; Ankeny Centennial
• *^Bryce Rainer; INF/RHP; Simi Valley, Calif. ; Harvard-Westlake
• *^Ethan Schiefelbein; LHP; Corona, Calif.; Corona
• ^Levi Sterling; RHP/INF; Los Angeles, Calif.; Notre Dame
• *^Nolan Traeger; C/OF; Spring, Texas; Concordia Lutheran
• ^Cooper Williams; LHP; Alvin, Texas; Alvin

*Denotes USA Baseball National Team alum
^Denotes past development program participant