Padres News: Xander Bogaerts Reveals How WBC Helped Improved His Conditioning For MLB Season

WBC served as a nice warmup for Padres star shortstop.

Beyond being able to partake in international and represent the many countries that our MLB's brightest stars claim as their own, the World Baseball Classic allows players to stay in shape and warm up their bodies for the upcoming regular season. Taking place this month, the tournament allowed participants to spend some time with their professional teams in Spring Training before joining their WBC squads.

Xander Bogaerts was one of the many players of the San Diego Padres to hit the field for this tournament that only takes place once every four years. He was a headliner on a Netherlands roster that was slated to be one of the top teams in the WBC. However, a big loss to Italy dropped the country to 2-2 in Pool A and they were sent back home.

However, Bogaerts is happy to be back and proud of his running mates for representing the Netherlands with him despite the early exit. Upon arriving back in Peoria, the 30-year-old shortstop spoke to '97.3 The Fan' and discussed how the WBC kept his body and mind sharp in his time away from the Friars.

"Especially the nine inning thing, I went over there and we played two practice games. I played maybe four innings or three innings and then first game, I played nine innings and felt pretty good," said Bogaerts. "The adrenaline was there, it was a tight game. Second game, I felt a little sore. I think it was helpful for the guys that are going to play a lot of games this year. I think we're more prepared now to play nine innings than we usually are at Spring Training."

Not only has the WBC allowed Bogaerts and many other stars to get their conditioning on track for the regular season but it has also given the fans the opportunity to watch more meaningful games. Cactus League matches have without a doubt given us the catch to see what the younger talent can bring and how chemistry is looking but our Friars stars in the international tournament were truly giving it their all.