Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies among Braves prepping for World Baseball Classic

“It’s amazing; it feels great to represent my country two times,” said Acuña, who played in the most recent WBC. “You’re representing your country, your city, your team and your teammates.”

Profar added: “This is going to be my third time (playing in the WBC), and it’s always a little different playing for your country. A little different baseball. It’s very, very fun, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Braves manager Walt Weiss expressed excitement for his participating players. There’s obviously some concern whenever a pitcher commits to the event because of injury risk, but he can be relieved the Braves have only position players in this edition.

“I like position players playing in WBC,” Weiss said. “I just think they’re going to get more ready doing that than they are down here with us. They have to ramp it up. It’s an environment where they have to get after it a little bit, as long as they’re physically ready to do that, and they are. I think it accelerates them getting ready. Pitchers, that’s a different story in the WBC.

“But we’ll handle the WBC position players a little bit differently. They’ll probably be playing in some games early that they ordinarily wouldn’t be playing in. But we have to do it, the schedule is telling us we have to do that. But I like those guys playing WBC.”

The Braves’ players will face off March 6 when Venezuela plays the Netherlands in Miami. The Netherlands also is managed by Braves legend and new Hall of Famer Andruw Jones. Former Braves starter Jair Jurrjens is the pitching coach.

“(Jones) asked me about (playing for him), and right away I said, ‘Yes, no doubt,’” Albies said.

Braves teammates already have embraced the looming matchup. Albies and Acuña have been trash talking each other for much of the spring. This will be the first time the longtime friends have played on opposite teams.