Bryce Eldridge was named the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup Most Valuable Player after a magnificent performance during the entire tournament, capped with a monster game in the World Championship Final. The WBSC also named the All-World Team and introduced the individual awards during the Closing Ceremony.
"I'm not thinking too much about the future. Of course I hope I will play in the Big Leagues, but let me enjoy my moment. It's the most important moment of my life,” said Eldridge. “This team was very well put together. We have those who can hit for power, and those who can hit to opposite field. We have players who can do it all and it's important to give them a chance to prove it."
Eldridge went 1-for-2 in the final with two walks, including a clutch three-run opposite field homer - his third in the tournament - to give USA a decisive 5-1 lead. In addition, he came in in the seventh inning to pitch one inning, giving up one walk against one strikeout. He hit .316 for the tournament, with 13 RBI. He was also named in the All-World Team as the designated hitter.
The WBSC also revealed the XXX WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup All-World Team, with six teams represented.
Chinese Taipei’s Shao-En Lin is the starting pitcher of the All-World Team. He tossed 12 scoreless innings in two starts, including a complete game against Mexico in the Opening Round and a five-inning shutout against the Netherlands in the Super Round. He struck out 14 while giving up three hits and four walks.
Shiki Kawahara from Japan is the All-World reliever. He earned three wins in 10 innings pitched, with no runs allowed. He tallied 13 strikeouts. The catcher is Japan’s Shion Matsuo.
Mexico have two players in the All-World infield. First baseman Yael Romero hit .476 with eight RBI; while shortstop Rosman Verdugo batted .320 with five RBI and five runs scored.
Panama’s second baseman Luis Escudero was named to the All-World Team after hitting .370 as the leadoff hitter. Korea’s Daeseon Jeong completes the infield. He hit .692 in 13 at bats, with 10 RBI.
In the outfield, Hsin Chiu from Chinese Taipei was picked as left fielder, hitting .524; Korea’s Junyoung Jeong (.409, three RBI) is the center fielder; and Aidan Miller, who led the tournament in batting average (.550) and runs scored (11), is in right field.
Panama’s Escudero was also named Best Defensive Player of the tournament.
Individual Awards*
- Leading Hitter: Aidan MILLER - USA (B-AVE .550, SLG 1150)
- Pitcher Best ERA: Shao-En LIN - TPE (0.00 ERA – 12.0 IP)
- Pitcher Best Win-Loss Avg: Shiki KAWAHARA - JPN (3W – 0L) JPN
- Most Runs Batted In: Beomseok KIM - KOR (10 RBI – 13 PA)
- Most Home Runs: Bryce ELDRIDGE - USA (2 HR – 18 PA)
- Most Stolen Bases: RJ HAMILTON - USA (5 SB – 5 ATT – 12 PA)
- Most Runs Scored: Aidan MILLER - USA (11 Runs – 28 PA)
* Stats for games 1-48 only
