Australia unveil squad for International Baseball Showdown series against Korea’s Hanwha
World No. 12 Australia has named a 27-man roster who will compete against Korean professional team Hanwha Eagles in Melbourne next month. From February 13-15, Australia will play a three-game series against the KBO side.
“I am excited as always to get together with Team Australia to compete against the Hanwa Eagles,” says head coach Dave Nilsson. “With the next World Baseball Classic fast approaching, this series is important to take a look at the talent we have around the country.”
“Team Australia playing on home soil in front of Australian fans is always exciting,” Baseball Australia CEO and Olympic baseball silver medallist Glenn Williams said. “Melbourne Aces fans turned out in record numbers this year with the Aces setting the benchmark in ABL attendance. We can’t wait to get the team down to Melbourne again for what will be a great series.”
It will be a stiff competition for an Australian team exploring player potential for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic. The Hanwha Eagles feature players like long-time MLB pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu, 2023 KBO home run champion Roh-Si Kwan and multiple Korean national players.
The Eagles are in Melbourne for Spring Training, preparing for the upcoming Korean season.
There are 14 players who were not named to the III WBSC Premier12 2024 squad that finished seventh in Asia in November 2024, with a record of 1-4.
“All fourteen of these players showed in the recent ABL season they have the talent needed to perform on the biggest stage,” says Nilsson.
Among the new Team Australia inclusions is 17-year-old Max Durrington, a recent signing with the Athletics and ABL Rookie of the Year finalist. He joins fellow finalist Jo Stevens and 2025 ABL Rookie of the Year Jaylin Rae.
Helms Award winner and pitching champion Alexander Wells is a further notable inclusion.
Australia roster:
- C - ALEX HALL
- C - ROBBIE PERKINS
- C - MITCH EDWARDS
- RHP - MATTHEW BEATTIE
- RHP - BRODIE COOPER-VASSALAKIS
- RHP - LIAM DOOLAN
- RHP - KIERAN HALL
- RHP - SAM HOLLAND
- RHP - WARWICK SAUPOLD
- RHP - CONNOR MACDONALD
- RHP - COEN WYNNE
- LHP - JON KENNEDY
- LHP - BLAKE TOWNSEND
- LHP - ALEXANDER WELLS
- LHP - LACHLAN WELLS
- IF - JO STEVENS
- IF - JESS WILLIAMS
- IF - JAYLIN RAE
- IF - GEORGE CALLIL
- IF - RIXON WINGROVE
- IF - LIAM SPENCE
- OF - ULRICH BOJARSKI
- OF - TIM KENNELLY
- OF - BRILEY KNIGHT
- OF - CHRIS BURKE
- UTL - WILL RILEY
- UTL - MAX DURRINGTON