Team USA announced its squad for next month's Baseball World Cup, for what will be its first major international competition since winning the gold medal at last year's Sydney Olympics.
The World Cup will be held Nov. 6 to 18 at stadiums in Taipei City, Taipei County, Chiayi City and Kaohsiung County.
The Team USA roster is made up of minor league pros currently not on 40-man major league rosters. Six of the players have major league experience.
Shortstop/third baseman Chris Snopek spent parts of four seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. Lefthander Ed Vosberg spent parts of eight of his 18 pro seasons in the big leagues.
Other players with major league experience are righthander Jason Phillips, infielder Marty Malloy, catcher Ken Huckaby, and righthander Kirk Bullinger.
"We've got a really good mix of veterans and younger guys," Francona told Baseball America.
Among the young prospects on the squad are White Sox minor league outfielder Joe Borchard, Chicago's first-round pick in 2000. Borchard hit .295-27-98 in his first pro season at Double-A Birmingham and was named the No. 5 prospect in the Southern League.
While the team is strong offensively, pitching may be a problem as major league teams were reluctant to allow their best prospects to extend this year's season by competing in the tournament.
"I completely understand how that happened," said Francona.
"What's too much work, what's enough, and how much would the experience benefit as opposed to harm the pitchers? Those are tough questions.
"I totally respect that from the organizations' point of view. We have to do what's right for the players."
Minor league righthanders Scott Cassidy (Toronto Blue Jays) and Chris Enochs (Oakland Athletics) and lefthander Chris Capuano (Arizona Diamondbacks) are projected to be the top starters for Team USA.
According to reports in Baseball America, Major League Baseball has agreed to provide the team with extra security for the trip.
Francona is not going to let concerns about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks distract him from focusing on the team's effort.
"I'm worried about our baseball team, and that's all I can worry about," he reportedly said.
"We've got a great staff -- I'd take this coaching staff for any team. So we're going to be ready."
In final preparations for the World Cup, Team USA plays Team Canada in exhibition games Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 in Tucson, Arizona. Both teams will arrive in Taiwan on Nov. 3.
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