Six players to watch at WBSC Men's Softball World Cup Group B in Prince Albert
The XVIII WBSC Men’s Softball World Cup, the biggest men's softball competition in the world, features the most talented players in the world. Let’s take a look at six players you should watch out for during the Group B tournament in Prince Albert, with world champions, newcomers and superstars in the mix.
Bryan Abrey (CAN) -
Bryan Abrey is a class catcher who has competed in five WBSC Men's Softball World Cups (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2022), winning four medals: Gold (2015), Silver (2022) and Bronze (2017 and 2019). He will lead Canada again in Prince Albert.
The 37-year-old was the home-run king of the last two editions of the World Cup. In 2022 he finished on top of the home run ranking with three bombs (tied with other five players); while in 2019 he led the field with four homers, tied with his teammate Stephen Mullaley.
He was also one of the top hitters in the WBSC Men's Softball World Cup 2022, leading the tournament also in RBIs (11) and slugging percentage (.958). He posted a .458 batting average and was named in the All-World Team.
In 2019, he also showcased his prowess in Prague hitting .545 and leading the tournament in homers. He also tallied six RBIs and eight runs scored.
Daniel Chapman (NZL) - @daniel_chaapman
Daniel Chapman has been New Zealand's ace at the last two World Cups, pitching 48.2 innings combined in 2019 and 2022, with a 2.16 ERA. He has racked up 91 strikeouts so far in the premier international men's softball competition.
In 2019, he tossed 26.1 innings while giving up 17 hits and nine runs, for a 2.39 ERA, helping his team to a fourth place finish. He tied in fourth place for strikeouts at the tournament with 47. Before the 2022 event, the right-handed pitcher underwent back surgery but recovered just in time for the World Cup on home soil, where he worked 22.1 innings with a 1.88 ERA, the fourth best of the tournament.
Ean Eu (SGP) - @eaneu_
Ean Eu is an dynamic and electric infielder with a lot of power in his bat that is supposed to sit in the middle of the lineup for the Singapore National Team for years to come. He made his debut in the senior team in 2022 and now, aged only 20, is one of the biggest stars in the team. Eu had a busy year in 2023, playing in the U-23 and U-18 Men's Softball World Cup for Singapore. He also played in the U-18 World Cup in 2020.
He finished the two U-18 Men's Softball World Cups with a .341 combined batting average. However, in 2023 he put in impressive numbers, finishing with the third best batting average of .500 and leading the tournament with three home runs and a 1.250 slugging percentage.
During the U-23 Men's Softball World Cup in Argentina, he homered twice with seven RBIs, posting a .320 batting average. He finished the tournament in the top five in RBIs and slugging percentage.
He will make his debut in the senior World Cup this year in Prince Albert.
Manuel Godoy (ARG) - @manuelgodoy.52
Argentina's captain will be playing his sixth WBSC Men's Softball World Cup, after making his debut in 2013 in Auckland, New Zealand. He's spent the last 14 years playing for the national team, collecting the most important titles in the history of the South American country - the 2019 World Championship title in Prague, and the Lima 2019 Pan American Games gold medal.
The first baseman had a monster tournament in 2019, guiding Argentina to an historic world title. He hit .455 in the tournament, with one home run and six RBIs. He recorded the last out in the 10th inning of the final, clinching the trophy for Argentina. In 2022 he posted a .269 batting average with a home run and finished second in the tournament with 10 RBIs.
Argentina qualified for the World Cup in April, after winning the Pan American Championship. The left-handed power hitter registered a .208 batting average with one homer and six RBI.
Kfir Leon (ISR) - @kfir_leon
The WBSC Men's Softball World Cup will be Kfir Leon's second international event, after leading Israel to a 10th place finish at the WBSC U-23 Men's Softball World Cup last year. The two-way player hit .313 with a home run, a solo shot in Israel's 5-3 win over South Africa. He also pitched the complete game. From the circle, he pitched 31.1 innings during the tournament, ending with a 4.02 ERA with 28 strikeouts.
He played a great European Championship 2023, helping his team to a fifth place finish. He hit .529 with eight RBIs, going 2-2 from the circle with a 3.64 ERA, striking out 27.
This will be Israel's second appearance in the Men's Softball World Cup. They participated in Midland 1996 and finished 20th.
Corey Wing-Sum Ng (HKG)
Hong Kong, China return to a WBSC Men's Softball World Cup after seven years. They finished 14th in 2017, when the tournament was hosted in Whitehorse, Canada. Corey Wing-Sum Ng was not part of that team so now the 26-year old is making his debut in the biggest men's softball event.
The outfielder, who also can play at first base, has been a presence in Hong Kong, China's lineup during the last two Asia Cups. In 2022 in Kochi, Japan, he went .143; however, last year the clean-up hitter bounced back posting a .375 batting average with an inside the park home run against Chinese Taipei, and a pair of RBI. He also led the tournament with five RBI.
Wing-Sum Ng was the recipient of the Best Hitter award at the Hong Kong Asia Men's Softball Invitation Tournament 2024 which also included Team Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia. In this particular tournament, he posted eye-popping stats, batting .667 with a .769 on-base percentage, 1.556 slugging percentage, and 2.325 OPS. He was the batting champion in Hong Kong's most recent league season, solidifying his status as the best slugger in Hong Kong.