WBC preview: Breaking down Team Canada

Team Canada won’t have an easy path to the final round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, sharing Pool C with the defending champion Dominican Republic, the United States and Colombia at Marlins Park in Miami.

As it’s already shown in previous WBCs, however, Canada can compete with any nation on any given night. Those who take the Canadians lightly will do so at their own peril.

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Before the Classic’s first pitch is thrown on March 6, MLB.com is breaking down each roster in the 16-nation tournament. Here’s a look at how Team Canada should fare in a stacked opening pool:

The confirmed roster so far:PitchersJohn Axford, RHPScott Diamond, LHPAdam Loewen, LHPNick Pivetta, RHP

Position PlayersRussell Martin, CJustin Morneau, 1B/DHPete Orr, IFMichael Saunders, OF

There’s still plenty of potential names out there for Canada who haven’t confirmed their participation, most notably infielders Freddie Freeman of the Braves and Brett Lawrie of the White Sox, as well as rising young pitchers James Paxton of the Mariners and Jameson Taillon of the Pirates.

Orr hasn’t played in the Major Leagues since 2013, but the utilityman is a legend north of the border after scoring the game-winning run in extra innings against Team USA to win the 2015 Pan American Games final in Toronto. He’ll join Carlos Beltran and Yadier Molina among the …

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