21 All-Stars, 4 MVPs headline star-studded Team USA roster
The most star-studded United States roster within the historical past of the World Baseball Classic is now official.
Team USA’s 30-man roster, which will probably be managed by Mark DeRosa and captained by Mike Trout, options 21 All-Stars, together with 4 MVPs in Trout, Mookie Betts, Paul Goldschmidt and Clayton Kershaw. The remaining rosters for the complete 20-team subject had been introduced on Thursday night on MLB Network.
It was Team USA’s championship within the 2017 WBC — after the primary three installments of the occasion had been received by Japan (twice) and the Dominican Republic — that impressed elevated curiosity amongst a number of the recreation’s luminaries. Trout, for one, watched the 2017 occasion with remorse after turning down the chance to play, so he wasn’t going to overlook it this time. And his participation created a domino impact with different large names.
“The whole reason I signed up: trying to win this thing,” Trout mentioned. “There is nothing else. Anything else is a failure.”
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of Team USA. Within every place, gamers are listed in alphabetical order, with any affiliation to an MLB group famous in parentheses.
Catchers: Kyle Higashioka (Yankees), J.T. Realmuto (Phillies), Will Smith (Dodgers)
Realmuto, a three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, fronts this backstop group. All three are first-time members within the WBC.
Infielders: Pete Alonso (Mets), Tim Anderson (White Sox), Nolan Arenado (Cardinals), Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals), Trea Turner (Phillies), Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals)
Arenado and Goldschmidt are again for extra after anchoring the infield for the 2017 championship crew, and they’re joined by a dynamic group that encompasses a two-time Home Run Derby champ in Alonso, batting champs in Anderson and Turner and probably the most thrilling younger abilities within the sport in Witt.
Outfielders: Mookie Betts (Dodgers), Jeff McNeil (Mets), Cedric Mullins (Orioles), Kyle Schwarber (Phillies), Mike Trout (Angels), Kyle Tucker (Astros)
Though Bryce Harper’s elbow surgical procedure prevents him from honoring his dedication to Team USA, the outfield group however options two of absolutely the greatest stars within the sport in Trout and Betts, together with reigning NL dwelling run champ Schwarber and three different All-Stars (McNeil is listed as a left fielder on the roster however can also be able to serving to within the infield).
Pitchers: Jason Adam (Rays), Daniel Bard (Rockies), David Bednar (Pirates), Nestor Cortes^ (Yankees), Kendall Graveman (White Sox), Merrill Kelly (D-backs), Clayton Kershaw^ (Dodgers), Lance Lynn (White Sox), Miles Mikolas (Cardinals), Adam Ottavino (Mets), Ryan Pressly (Astros), Brooks Raley^ (Mets), Brady Singer (Royals), Adam Wainwright (Cardinals), Devin Williams (Brewers)
^ denotes left-handed pitcher
Kershaw — a nine-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young winner, MVP and certain future Hall of Famer — is a first-time WBC participant. He’s joined by a forged of arms with a large assortment of expertise, from newer large league breakout varieties like Singer, Williams and Bednar to the established likes of Lynn and Wainwright. None of those pitchers had been on the 2017 roster.
