In a two-hour show on MLB Network on Thursday, the teams for the 2023 World Baseball Classic were unveiled. Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the World Baseball Classic is returning for the first time since 2017 and is set to start on March 8. This will be the first time in the history of the competition that there will be 20 teams rather than 16.
The process of assembling Team USA’s 2023 World Baseball Classic roster couldn’t have gotten off to a better start with three-time MVP Mike Trout agreeing to lead the team in July. And it has become clear that Trout is by no means the only notable addition.
With Mookie Betts and Paul Goldschmidt, the Americans have added two more MVP winners to their roster. Two-time MVP Bryce Harper also pledged his devotion, but he has since had Tommy John surgery. Numerous additional well-known athletes, like Nolan Arenado, Pete Alonso, Trea Turner, Nestor Cortes, Tim Anderson, Kyle Schwarber, and J.T. Realmuto, have joined Team USA.
What is Team USA’s 2023 World Baseball Classic roster?
Below is how Team USA’s roster presently stands:
Catchers: J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia Phillies), Will Smith (Los Angeles Dodgers), Kyle Higashioka (New York Yankees);
First base: Pete Alonso (New York Mets), Paul Goldschmidt (St. Louis Cardinals);
Second base: Jeff McNeil (New York Mets)
Third base: Nolan Arenado (St. Louis Cardinals)
Shortstop: Tim Anderson (Chicago White Sox), Trea Turner (Philadelphia Phillies), Bobby Witt Jr. (Kansas City Royals)
Outfielders: Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels), Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers), Kyle Schwarber (Philadelphia Phillies), Kyle Tucker (Houston Astros), Cedric Mullins (Baltimore Orioles).
Right-handers: Adam Wainwright (St. Louis Cardinals), Lance Lynn (Chicago White Sox), Jason Adam (Rays), Daniel Bard (Colorado Rockies), David Bednar (Pittsburgh Pirates), Kendall Graveman (Chicago White Sox), Merrill Kelly (Diamondbacks), Nick Martinez (Padres), Miles Mikolas (St. Louis Cardinals), Adam Ottavino (New York Mets), Ryan Pressly (Houston Astros), Brady Singer (Kansas City Royals), Devin Williams (Milwaukee Brewers);
Left-handers: Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers), Nestor Cortes (New York Yankees), Brooks Raley (New York Mets).
Team USA's #WorldBaseballClassic roster: pic.twitter.com/gaRgkK5f11
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 10, 2023
What date will the 2023 World Baseball Classic be?
The fifth World Baseball Classic will take place from March 8 to March 21 of 2024. There are now 20 teams competing in the event, and games are being played in Miami, Phoenix, Tokyo, and Taichung, Taiwan.
Pool C includes Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and Team USA. The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field will host the pool games for those teams from March 11 to 15. On the Team USA side of the bracket, the semifinals, championship, and quarterfinal matches will all take place at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins.