WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2022 by the numbers

With the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup in the books now, let’s take a look at the main statistics and players of the tournament that finished on Sunday in Taiwan. Check all the box scores and stats of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup here.

High quality pitching was the key for Japan to clinch their second WBSC U-23 Baseball World Championship. The Japanese staff combined for a tournament-best 1.13 ERA, giving up only nine earned runs in 56 innings. They also led the tournament in base on balls allowed with 13, and placed second in strikeouts with 66, only behind Chinese Taipei, which totaled 70. Japan’s staff didn’t allow a home run in the entire tournament.

Japan’s pitching dominance was also reflected in the individual stats. The Most Valuable Player of the tournament was Ryusei Gonda (pictured), who led the tournament with four saves in six appearances, posting a 1.17 ERA with five Ks. And the best starter of the tournament was Ren Tomida, who recorded a 0.50 ERA in 14 innings, with 20 strikeouts, and tossed two scoreless innings as the World Championship Final starter.

However, the strikeout king of the tournament was Wikelman Maldonado from Venezuela, who struckout 23. He also led the tournament with 14.2 innings pitched. Tomida was second in both categories.  

Having played in the Placement Round, Venezuela was the top hitting team in the tournament with .314, followed by world champions Japan, who combined to bat .281 and led the Super Round teams. Australia and Colombia tied in third place, with .248. Colombia scored more runs (43), had more RBI (39) and hit more home runs (5) than any other squad in the event.

Individually, Japan’s Ren Onishi was the champion bat with .500, followed by Branlyn Jaraba (COL) with .458 and Chen-Tso Tseng (TPE) with .455. Tseng led the tournament in on base (.586); while Jaraba was the leader in hits (11).