U-23 Baseball World Cup MVP Ryusei Gonda, All-World Team awarded during closing ceremony

U-23 Baseball World Cup MVP Ryusei Gonda, All-World Team awarded during closing ceremony
23/10/2022
The Japanese reliever appeared in seven games, including the final, and earned five saves. Seven of the 12 participants have a player in the All-World Tea. WBSC Secretary General Beng Choo Low: "Thank you all for helping to make this an amazing and memorable world-class event. The Chinese Taipei Baseball Association and the Local Organising Committee have been dedicated and committed partners."

Japan's reliever Ryusei Gonda earned the IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup MVP honours after appearing in seven games, including the World Championship final, and earned five saves. He pitched seven innings allowing one run on two hits and striking out five.


"Today we played the final. We all know what we are supposed to do in a game like this," said Gonda after the final. "Throughout the tournament, I look at it as if we went successfully through different challenges as it went by. But my teammates and I all believe that the most important thing is to do our job, and we go from there."

Gonda, 22, who finished his senior year at Meisei University, added: "I also appreciate the opportunity to play in the tournament. My teammates and I are ready for more challenges in the future. I want to share the merit of the award with them."

The WBSC presented Gonda with the MVP Award during the closing ceremony when the Baseball/Softball World Governing body also announced the All-World Team and the Individual Awards.

Seven teams in the IV WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup feature in the All-World Team with Japan leading the way with four All-World Teamers.

Japan has the top starting pitcher, Ren Tomida, the best relief pitcher Ryusey Gonda, the All-World third baseman, Hiroki Nakagawa, and the best designated hitter, Ren Onishi.

The All-World Catcher is Venezuela's David Garcia.

The rest of the All-World infield includes Jesus Chirinos (first baseman, Venezuela), Carlos Arroyo (second baseman, Colombia), and Christian Rodriguez (shortstop, Cuba).

The All-World outfield includes Chen Tso Tseng (Chinese Taipei), Ezequiel Pagan (Puerto Rico) and Christopher Burke (Australia).

The outstanding defensive player is Hanbyul Kim, Korea's shortstop.

The other individual awards are solely based on the tournament's statistics:

  • Leading hitter Ren Onishi .500 batting average
  • Best earned run average Saangyung Lee - Korea (0 in 13 innings pitched)
  • Best pitching record Ren Tomida 2 wins 0 losses
  • Most runs batted in Jesus Chirinos 8
  • Most home runs Jesus Chirinos 2
  • Most stolen bases Michael Chirinos - Vemezuela 5
  • Most runs scored Daniel Aguilar - Colombia 7

WBSC Secreatry General Beng Choo Low congratulated World No. 1 Japan, the new U-23 Baseball World Champions.

"To the rest of the participating teams, be proud also and thank you all for helping to make this an amazing and memorable world-class event for all with some of the closest competitions of 1 - 2 run difference in some of the games played," Ms Low said. "Continue to train, play, and aim to represent your country or territory again in the next global baseball tournament. More importantly, play with the highest respect for your fellow competitors in the best sportsmanship; and always play fair and clean."

The WBSC Secretary General added: "On behalf of the WBSC, we wish to express our gratitude and recognition to the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association and the Local Organising Committee. You, the CTBA and the LOC have been dedicated and committed partners of the WBSC and have once again a superb tournament."