I have spoken with people who would know exactly how picks are made. Hate to be vague, but can't put anyone on the record. The consensus:
"Emily always gets her way."
You assume she's involved but not overbearing. Why? That is the opposite of what people who have worked directly with her have said, the opposite of her publicly shown personality, and the opposite of what rational thought about the power structure would suggest.
Oh, I assume Emily has a say. A big say. But I wouldn't be a coach if I didn't have
some say.
For Team USA, the pickings are slim based on the qualification criteria. Hardest part is finding someone talented enough to be the fifth pick.
For Team Europe, there are 6-8 defensible picks for wildcards. Rarely does someone make the team who doesn't deserve it.
The Reyes is definitely different. But it was a no brainer for Ralf to pick Fedor and Filler. The Pecelj pick was not a shock, either, given that he's third in the Mosconi rankings and fourth in the World Pool Masters rankings.
Team Asia is where the handprints of Frazer are most evident. Hoang was clearly a reach in the first Reyes Cup. But he's really climbed in the rankings and Fargo ratings since then.
Manas was reach last year, and almost certainly her doing.
Januarta might be another questionable choice this year,
but if I were coach, he would have been one of my three candidates. Yapp and Oi were the others. Personally, I am more excited to see Albert in the event.
