Team USA Roster Takes Shape

Complete Coverage of USA Baseball

By Jack Magruder and John Manuel
October 28, 2003

Team USA's roster for the Olympic qualifying tournament in Panama won't be set officially until tomorrow. But Baseball America has learned that 21 of the 24 roster spots are set for the event, which begins for Team USA on Friday with a game against Colombia.

Two nations in the 12-team event will earn spots in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Manager Frank Robinson and his coaching staff have settled on nine pitchers and 12 position players for the club, according to sources.

The pitchers who have made the team include four starters--lefthanders Horacio Ramirez (Braves) and Jason Stanford (Indians) and righties Justin Duchscherer (Athletics) and Ryan Madson (Phillies). All four have pitched in the big leagues, ranging from Ramirez' 12-4, 4.00 season with Atlanta this year to Madson's two innings of experience in September.

The bullpen looks settled with three power righthanded arms--Brian Bruney (Diamondbacks) and Twins farmhands Jesse Crain and J.D. Durbin--joined by submariner Todd Williams (Devil Rays) and lefthander Royce Ring (Mets).

Team USA expects to carry 11 pitchers to minimize the chances of overuse, leaving two more spots on the roster. Andy Pratt (Braves) and John Grabow (Pirates) are likely battling for the second spot as a lefty reliever. Righthander John VanBenschoten (Pirates) could make the roster as the 11th pitcher, perhaps as a fifth starter to throw against a lesser team, or Robinson could choose another power reliever in Derrick Turnbow (Angels). Turnbow didn't travel with the team Saturday with what the team termed a "throat irritation." Righty Adam Wainwright (Braves) is unlikely to make the team after giving up 11 earned runs in six Ariziona Fall League innings.

The team's lineup is close to being settled. Gerald Laird (Rangers) and Joe Mauer (Twins) will be the catchers, with an infield of first baseman Graham Koonce (A's), second baseman Chris Burke (Astros), shortstop J.J. Hardy (Brewers), third baseman Justin Leone (Mariners) and middle infielder Mike Rouse (A's). Rouse is likely the odd man out as a starter.

Outfielders who have earned a spot on the team include Gabe Gross (Blue Jays), Jeremy Reed (White Sox) and Grady Sizemore (Indians), along with veteran DH/outfielder Ernie Young (Tigers). Young is the only righthanded hitter among that group, and J.J. Davis (Pirates) will join him if his balky right hamstring holds up. If Davis' hammy is deemed too much of a risk, Jonny Gomes (Devil Rays) will take his place.

That leaves one more lineup spot, which could go to Mike Lamb (Rangers), who brings versatility and big league experience, or a third catcher such as Koyie Hill (Dodgers), who has international experience and a background as an infielder. If Team USA decides it needs a righthanded bat for the bench, it could go with Garrett Atkins (Rockies). Outfielder Terrmel Sledge (Expos) likely won't make the team because Gross, Reed and Sizemore are all also lefthanded-hitting outfielders.