World Baseball Classic 2013: Predicting Winners of 4 Qualifying Groups

The growing World Baseball Classic is about to begin the process of determining the final four teams that will join the 12 automatic qualifiers to participate in the tournament.

There are 16 teams broken into four groups for this qualification, marking the most participation the tournament has seen.

The winner of each group will advance. Here are the four that will do just that.

Group 1

Spain

France

Israel

South Africa

Predicted Winner: Israel

Even though Israel will be competing in its first WBC, it will do so with some serious major league experience.

As MLB.com's Adam Berry reports, "Former major leaguers Shawn Green and Gabe Kapler to come out of retirement to play, and Brad Ausmus to manage."

Berry further points out that only three of the 28 players are actually from Israel, with the rest being "minor leaguers with Jewish backgrounds."

This team will win this group, with Spain being their biggest competition.

Group 2

Canada

Czech Republic

Germany

Great Britain

Predicted Winner: Canada

Canada was winless in the last WBC, but the current team will not suffer the same fate.

The Canadians have some exciting young talent with prospects like Tyson Gillies, Andrew Albers and Kellin Deglan.

This team is ranked No. 5 in the world and is the defending Pan-American Games champ—they should cruise through this group.

Group 3

Brazil

Columbia

Nicaragua

Panama

Predicted Winner: Nicaragua

This group is tough to break down. Of the four teams, only Panama has any WBC experience, and it lost every game last tournament.

Nicaragua and Colombia are the only two from this group that have had home-grown talent reach the majors.

Current players Erasmo Ramírez, Vicente Padilla and Everth Cabrera all hail from Nicaragua, and they represent a solid foundation.

At No. 14, Nicaragua is the highest team from this group in the world rankings, although Panama is right behind at No. 15.

Group 4

New Zealand

Philippines

Thailand

Chinese Taipei

Predicted Winner: Chinese Taipei

The only team from this group to have already participated in the WBC (and at No. 8 easily the highest ranked team of this group), Chinese Taipei should cruise.

They aren't going to feature any names that fans of the MLB will recognize, but they are in a weak group and have shown enough to be ranked at No. 8 in the world.