The World Baseball Classic will take place again next spring after having been cancelled in 2021 due to COVID-19.
The Classic was last played in 2017, with Team USA ultimately taking home the trophy.
Led by manager Mark DeRosa, Team USA is going to have a stacked roster.
Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Cedric Mullins, J.T. Realmuto, and Pete Alonso have already committed.
But today, Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Twitter that he would be a part of the team as well.
With that, Team USA adds another superstar to its ballclub as they look to defend their crown.
.@mookiebetts has 2 World Series rings, and now he’s #ALLIN to try to get the gold for Team USA at the #WorldBaseballClassic. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/ZB7zChQ1kx
— MLB (@MLB) August 25, 2022
Betts Joins Team USA
This is a big addition.
Team USA is going to have a stacked roster.
More stars are sure to follow, but Betts will bring some great energy to the team and some speed.
Betts is a five-tool guy who can do it all out on a baseball field.
Betts has won an MVP, is a six-time All-Star, and a two-time World Series champion.
He’ll bring some key veteran experience to the roster as well.
The 29-year-old is hitting .273 with 27 home runs and 62 RBI this season in 433 at-bats.
He’s also got an .873 OPS and has stolen 11 bases.
Speed, power, contact, and defense is key for any team.
Betts will bring all of that to the table and could end up being the team’s leadoff hitter, as he so often is with the Dodgers.
Betts is the first Dodger to announce that he’ll be a part of the Classic.
The Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals each have two players representing Team USA.
We’ll see if any of Betts’ teammates decide to join him in the Classic this coming spring.
NEXT: The Dodgers Bullpen Is Awaiting Several Key Reinforcements