08/09/2020 2 Minute Read

Early September the time when U-18 Baseball World Champions are crowned

Over the years, the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup has firmly established itself as a platform of future stars and faces of the game.

The first weeks of September have over most of the last decade celebrated the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup final and featured some of the superstars of today.

The U-18 World Cup ended on 8 September in 2012, 2013 and 2019.

On 8 September 2019, Chinese Taipei defeated the United States, 2-1, ending USA's dominance that began in 2012 and had led USA to four straight U-18 world titles.

Starting pitcher Yu Chien went 6.2 innings and earned the win. He was later named the tournament MVP and became a top pick in the 2020 Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) draft.

In 2012, USA beat Canada, 6-2, to win the world crown in Seoul, Korea. Cavan Biggio, a standout in the shortened 2020 Major League Baseball (MLB) season for the Toronto Blue Jays played first base and batted seventh for US squad. Ian Clarkin went six innings to earn the win. He is now playing for Team Texas in the independent Constellation Energy League.
Pitcher Cal Quantrill and outfielder Josh Naylor were in the lineup that day for Canada. They both celebrated their MLB debut for the San Diego Padres in 2019. Chinese Taipei claimed a bronze medal. Despite having future two-way phenom Shohei Otani on the roster, Japan finished sixth.

The 2013 U-18 Baseball World Cup was held in Taichung, Taiwan, with the final between USA and Japan. Brady Aiken led the United States to a 3-2 win pitching seven strong innings. He defeated Yuki Matsui, who is currently pitching in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Rakuten Golden Eagles. Cuba, which had players like Yoan Moncada, who is now with the Chicago White Sox, finished in third place.

The final of the U-18 Baseball World Cup 2015 was scheduled on 6 September in Osaka, Japan. It was again a very close game and the US won it 2-1 against the hosts. Catcher Michael Amditis led the US lineup going 2 for 4. He went on to play collegiate baseball for the University of Miami and made his professional debut in the Cleveland Indians organization in 2019. Japan's right fielder Shoki Katsumata, who recently made his NPB debut for the Orix Buffaloes, was the only other player on the field to enjoy a multi-hit game. Korea earned third place.

The World Championship game of the U-18 Baseball World Cup 2017 was played on 10 September in Thunder Bay, Canada. The USA outscored Korea, 8-0. Starter Matthew Liberatore, currently in the St. Louis Cardinals Farm System, allowed only four hits and earned the win. Triston Casas had two hits and three RBIs. He was later named the tournament MVP and he is currently under contract with the Boston Red Sox. Designated hitter Kang Baekho was the only Korean player to get two hits. He went on to become the 2018 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Rookie of the Year.