Three former Western Oklahoma State College baseball players have made a big splash in the World Baseball Classic.
Andrelton Simmons, Randolph Oduber and Angel Castro have been a part of the WBC.
Simmons, the starting shortstop for the Atlanta Braves is one of the leading hitters in the WBC. While playing for The Netherlands. he is hitting. 370 in the tournament with two home runs and six runs batted in. One of his home runs was a two-run shot against Cuba that tied the score in the late innings. The Netherlands went on to win that game.
Like Simmons, Oduber is playing for the Netherlands. Oduber was one for four with three stolen bases in the game with Cuba.
Castro has made two appearances on the mound for the Dominican Republic.
It’s possible that some time this season three former Western players will be in the Major Leagues.
Simmons is already there. Castro recently completed a stint in Japan. His contract was purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers and Castro is currently on the 40 man roster. Castro might start the season with AAA Albuquerque.
Juan Carlos Perez is also on the 40 man roster for the San Francisco Giants. Perez who is the record holder for home runs (37) in NJCAA Division II baseball, played at Western in 2008, the Pioneers first ever World Series team.
Simmons and Oduber were a part of the 2010 team that placed third in the World Series.
Castro’s last year at Western was in 2006.







