Kenta Maeda was virtually unknown outside Japan when he pitched his country into the semifinals of the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Three years later he led the Dodgers in starts, wins and innings pitched, and finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
For international stars with major league aspirations, the WBC has become a viable proving ground. This year’s 16-team tournament begins with pool play Sunday in Seoul, South Korea, and will crown a champion March 22 at Dodger Stadium.
Major League Baseball, which organizes the WBC, has aspirations too. This year each national team was granted a list of 10 pitchers that could be added to its roster before each round.