New York Yankees' Didi Gregorius expected to play in WBC
Jul 31, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius (18) throws the ball to first base for an out against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees’ shortstop Didi Gregorius, among others, is expected to represent the Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. 

According to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius will represent the Netherlands national baseball team in this year’s World Baseball Classic.

Xander Bogaerts, Andrelton Simmons, Jonathan Schoop and Jurickson Profar are others expected to represent the Dutch.

Kenley Jansen, who played for the team during the last two tournaments, will be absent.



Last season, Gregorius became the just the third shortstop Yankees history to hit at least 20 HR and bat over .275 — joining Tom Tresh (1962) and Derek Jeter (1999, 2001 and 2004).

Additionally, his .276/.304/.447 slash line, OPS of .751 and a career-high 20 home runs earned him a nomination for the Hank Aaron award. The last Yankee to take home the award was Jeter, back in 2009.

The Netherlands’ team has played in all three of the World Baseball Classic tournaments held and achieved its highest finish, 4th (semifinals), in the last tournament only to lose to the eventual champion, the Dominican Republic.

In WBC play, they own a 7–10 record.