{"id":630702,"date":"2026-03-18T21:46:25","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T21:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/630702\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T21:46:25","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T21:46:25","slug":"san-francisco-giants-to-benefit-from-world-baseball-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/630702\/","title":{"rendered":"San Francisco Giants to benefit from World Baseball Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. \u2014 Heliot Ramos is back from the World Baseball Classic<\/a> and still bleach blond, the hairstyle adopted by all of the Puerto Rican team. He plans to keep it.<\/p>\n

\u201cF\u2014 it,\u201d the Giants outfielder declared upon his return to the team. \u201cI want to do braids.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heliot Ramos of Team Puerto Rico looks on after the game against Team Italy at Daikin Park on March 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas. Team Italy defeated Team Puerto Rico 8-6. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Still, some of Ramos\u2019 teammates will have an even more lasting way to remember the tournament. Luis Arraez, Jose Butto and Logan Webb all had a little extra weight in their luggage returning from Miami.<\/p>\n

Arraez and Butto earned their gold medals with key contributions in Venezuela\u2019s 3-2 win in the championship game<\/a> Tuesday night over Team USA inside a sold-out loanDepot Park. Webb helped the Americans reach the title game<\/a> but settled for silver.<\/p>\n

Back in Scottsdale, Giants manager Tony Vitello watched the game with some members of his coaching staff as the team enjoyed a day off.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a phenomenal final game of the tournament,\u201d Vitello said. Bryce Harper<\/a> tied the score at 2 with a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, which Vitello called \u201ca pretty magical moment, even despite the loss, I think that will still be remembered as such.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harper\u2019s game-tying homer set up Arraez to lead off the top of the ninth. He was hitless in three at-bats when he came to the plate against Garrett Whitlock. The typically aggressive Arraez worked a walk and was replaced by a pinch-runner who scored what became the decisive run.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs soon as Bryce hit that homer \u2026 the first thing I said was, \u2018Our guy\u2019s leading off, so they\u2019d better score,’\u201d Vitello said. \u201cHe found a way to get on base. You kind of knew even more so that he\u2019d get on base because he hadn\u2019t (yet). I feel like determination climbs as the situation grows for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jos\u00e9 Butt\u00f3 of Team Venezuela pitches against Team United States during the sixth inning at loanDepot park on March 17, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Getty Images<\/p>\n

Aaron Judge came to the plate as the potential tying run with Venezuela leading 2-0 in the sixth inning, and Butto got the Yankees slugger to ground out to end the inning. The Giants\u2019 bullpen hopeful didn\u2019t allow a run over 5 2\/3 innings in the tournament, and Vitello sees him as a high-leverage option.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes sense that when you go out there and the crowd is the loudest baseball crowd arguably ever and the hitters are all major-league All-Stars,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cHe is incredibly pro-like in his work everyday. Almost one of our more militaristic \u2014 not that he doesn\u2019t have personality \u2014 but how he handles his business.\u201d<\/p>\n

Manager Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants looks on during the first inning of the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Scottsdale Stadium on February 26, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The Giants were the only team in the majors represented more than once on the All-WBC team. Webb, who made two starts and allowed one run over 8 2\/3 innings, was one of three pitchers selected. Arraez, who batted .308 with a 1.059 OPS and drove in 10 runs, earned the lone honor at first base.<\/p>\n

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Jung Hoo Lee helped Korea advance out of the group stage for the first time since 2009 \u2014 when he was 10 years old \u2014 and Ramos started all five games for Puerto Rico, which also made it to the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n

Venezuela Luis Arraez reacts after he grounds out during the third inning in the championship game of the World Baseball Classic against the United States, Tuesday, March 17, 2026, in Miami. AP<\/p>\n

Vitello hopes the Giants can reap the benefits all their representatives took away from the tournament. Dave Groeschner, their head trainer, joined Webb on Team USA. Longtime coaches Ron Wotus and Dave Righetti were part of Team Italy\u2019s coaching staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than I think there\u2019s a story to tell for all those teams,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cVenezuela obviously had the passion going. Italy had kind of a cool little culture going on. Webby and Groesch will be able to tell us about what is it like to manage that many stars in one dugout.\u201d<\/p>\n

Arraez, Butto and Webb were all expected back in camp Wednesday. As long as there were no travel complications, Vitello said he expected Webb to make his next Cactus League start on Thursday.<\/p>\n

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