Original Story from https://baseball.com.au/news/prem12-2024/
Australia has officially announced its roster for the 2024 WBSC Premier12, considered baseball’s equivalent of the World Championships. From November 13 – 24, the national team will compete against the world’s best in Japan and Taiwan, starting with a high-profile opening game against host nation Japan in Nagoya, which is expected to attract a TV audience of over 30 million.
The Premier12 is reserved for the top 12 baseball nations, ranked at the end of the 2023 calendar year. It stands as the most important international tournament outside of the MLB-run World Baseball Classic, with all teams naming a 28-man roster. Notably, players on MLB’s 40-man rosters are excluded from participating.
Australia’s squad combines Major League experience with emerging stars, and Queensland will play a vital role in the team’s chances:
- Ryan Battaglia (Catcher): 32-year-old Battaglia brings experience from a Premier12, two World Baseball Classics, four minor league seasons with Cleveland and a thirteen-year ABL career where he won four championships with the Brisbane Bandits. Known for his presence behind the plate, Battaglia famously helped guide Australia to victory over the USA in the 2019 Premier-12.
- Aaron Whitefield (Outfielder): Whitefield owns accolades few Australians currently possess. He is one of 38 Australians to ever reach the Major Leagues, doing so in 2020 with the Minnesota Twins and 2022 with the LA Angels. Whitefield has also represented Australia at the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics, the 2019 Premier12 and the Asia Professional Baseball Championship. Whitefield has won an ABL MVP with the Brisbane Bandits, the Adelaide Giants and collected three championships with Brisbane. He now plays for the Melbourne Aces and is known for his standout defensive play.
- Sam Holland (RH Pitcher): Holland has a string of Team Australia appearances to his name including the 2019 Premier12, 2023 World Baseball Classic and Asia Professional Baseball Championships. He is a four-time Claxton Shield winner with the Brisbane Bandits. The 30-year-old pitched five years in the minor leagues, reaching as high as Double-A with the San Diego Padres and boasting a 2.70 ERA. In 192.1 innings across nine ABL seasons, Holland has worked both as a starter and reliever, compiling a 3.46 career ERA.
Queensland’s impact on the team extends to the coaching staff as well. David Nilsson will lead the team as Manager, joined by Shayne Watson as Assistant Coach and Robert Moden as Executive Officer.
