For Canada to have success at the World Baseball Classic, manager Ernie Whitt says his hitters will need to grind out every at-bat.  Fortunately, he has a couple of hitters in Justin Morneau and Joey Votto who can work the count against pitchers.  Votto, who confirmed on Monday he would play in the tournament after testing the health of his knee at Cincinnati Reds spring training, posted a .474 on-base percentage in 111 games last season.  Morneau is only two years removed from a .437 OBP with the Minnesota Twins, but more importantly has been healthy this spring (8-for-17) after missing much of the 2010 and 2011 seasons with concussions and other injuries following surgeries to his neck, left knee and right foot.  Whitt told CBCSports.ca last week that Morneau, a native of New Westminster, B.C., would be the Canadian squadâs leader, saying âeveryone is going to circle around him because of his experience, not only in international play, but what heâs done at the major league level.â  But will Morneau be the Canadian to make the greatest impact at the WBC, which starts for Canada on Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET against Italy?  Morneau, 31, is coming off a 19-homer, 77-RBI season in 2012 during which he hit at a .267 clip in 134 games.  Many consider the 29-year-old Votto to be Canadaâs biggest offensive threat after he hit .337 with 14 homers, 56 runs batted in during an injury plagued 2012 season.  Perhaps Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie, who is expected to hit behind Votto and Morneau in the fifth spot, will take charge.  The 23-year-old is coming off a disappointing 2012 campaign (11 homers, 13 stolen bases) after bursting on the scene the previous season and hitting .293 with nine homers and seven steals in 43 games.  The excitable Lawrie certainly will provide energy to the Canadian team and played good defence last season, so his well-rounded game makes him an asset.  On the mound, Whitt will be hoping for the 2011 version of closer John Axford, who converted 46 of 48 save chances and 43 in a row to finish the season.  In 2012, the Port Dover, Ont., native lost the stopperâs job in Milwaukee to Francisco Rodriguez after blowing six saves in June and July. He finished the season with 35 saves and a 4.67 earned-run average in 75 appearances.  The 29-year-old Axford has also struggled this spring, allowing four earned runs in 2 2/3 innings pitched in three exhibition games with the Brewers.  Another Canadian pitcher to keep an eye on is Jameson Taillon, a 21-year-old Pittsburgh Pirates prospect.  The six-foot-six, 225-pound right-hander, whom Baseball America recently ranked the 23rd best prospect in the majors, could surprise at the WBC. He spent last season in A and AA ball, going 9-8 with a 3.55 ERA.  Vote in the poll above and write a comment below telling us who will be the difference maker for the Canadian team.
Justin Morneau will be Canada's inspirational leader at the World Baseball Classic, says manager Ernie Whitt, but it remains to be seen who will produce on the field. Maybe it's Morneau, Joey Votto or Brett Lawrie. Or perhaps young pitcher Jameson Taillon. Who do you think?