Multiple Red Sox stars, present and former, making an impact in WBC

The opening round of the 2023 World Baseball Classic is nearly complete, and there has been no shortage of exciting moments through the opening pool play. Puerto Rico pitched a combined perfect game. Korea won a game by 20 runs. Great Britain and the Czech Republic won their first games in WBC history. Venezuela and Japan have been totally dominant. 

Through it all, there have been numerous Boston Red Sox players having an impact for their respective countries. Numerous former Red Sox have been involved, as well. 

Early games for both Pool A and Pool B were played in Taiwan and Japan, respectively, and certainly had their share of high-scoring games. Individually, a trio of players led the way with eight RBI apiece: Shohei Ohtani, Masataka Yoshida and Yu Chang. Perhaps the greatest player in the world in Ohtani and a pair of Red Sox. 

Yoshida started each game in left field for Samurai Japan while batting in the middle of their lineup. Initial speculation when he signed in December was that Yoshida could be a top-of-the-order option for Boston, but everything since then suggests the middle is where Alex Cora will use him. 

Chang, meanwhile, had a huge series for Chinese-Taipei, was named MVP of Pool A and become quite popular with his home country fans. He played excellent defense, added a pair of clutch home runs and embraced the role of cheerleader at times. He's even reportedly going to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a CPBL Spring Training game before presumably joining the Red Sox in Florida. 

Former top prospect Yoan Moncada, who Boston dealt to Chicago as part of the Chris Sale trade, was able to play for Cuba for the first time and contributed eight hits while driving in five.

Pool C's games in Miami carried their own share of big moments and exceptional crowds. The team from Puerto Rico was responsible for a number of them, including some big swings from Enrique Hernandez. Playing center field with Francisco Lindor at shortstop, Hernandez totaled six hits and was a factor in the field defensively. 

Old friend Christian Vazquez also had a couple of hits and a key home run against the D.R. 

Rafael Devers, mostly DH'ing to allow Manny Machado to handle third for the Dominican Republic, only had a pair of singles. 

Mexico won Pool D in Phoenix thanks largely to Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, whose nine RBI led all players in the entire tournament. Both Alex Verdugo and Jarren Duran were on the Mexico roster but neither hit much. Duran was mostly used as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement but did steal a pair of bases. 

Jorge Alfaro, a potential favorite among Boston's non-roster invitees to spring training to actually make the big league club, has contributed a pair of doubles to Columbia's efforts. 

Mookie Betts (aka the one who got away) has made some hard contact but hasn't hit much for Team USA, but he has made a number of spectacular defensive plays in right field. 

Left-hander Richard Bleier, who Boston acquired in late January from the Marlins for Matt Barnes, was the only pitcher the club sent to the WBC from their major league roster. He worked a pair of scoreless outings for Team Isreal, striking out four and picking up the win in their lone victory. 

Minor league left-hander Rio Gomez also pitched a scoreless outing for Columbia. 

Cuba has already won the first quarterfinal matchup, securing their spot in the semifinals. They will play the winner of Friday's game between Venezuela and whoever the runner-up is from Pool C. That will be decided following Wednesday night's game between the U.S. and Columbia. 

Japan and Italy will play in the next quarterfinal. The winner will then face whoever advances from the other quarterfinal matchup, Saturday, between Mexico and Puerto Rico.