With the 2023 World Baseball Classic confirmed, there have been many topics being discussed at the moment, including potential roster members for each of the teams. Israel, one of the participating countries, will not only be able to take players born in its territory, but also players born in another place, but with Jewish beliefs, can be on its payroll and Max Fried, current pitcher for the Atlanta Braves and who is Jewish, could be part of the Israeli ninth.
However, the Californian pitcher told With The Bases Loaded that so far he is not sure if he will play with Israel. Max Fried said that “It was definitely a thought [que he tenido], but I haven’t really thought much about it. I feel like it’s a bit difficult because of the time, because it’s before the season.” and that it would be complicated to enlist, so it seems that he is not sure if he will play with the United States either.
Fried, 28, is playing his sixth season in the Major Leagues. In this campaign, the two-time Gold Glove winner (2020 and 2021) is having a 2.64 ERA with 10 wins and 3 losses. The left-hander won the World Series with the Braves in 2021 and was selected to this year’s All-Star Game, but he won’t be due to pitch Saturday.
Joc Pederson, an American outfielder for the San Francisco Giants and Fried’s former teammate in Atlanta, declined to participate with his native country and be part of the team that Israel will lead, considering that he is also Jewish. This was reported by the national team this Sunday.
It’s Official! Israel’s manager for the WBC Ian Kinsler confirmed Sunday that @MLB All-Star @yungjoc650 Pederson has committed to play for #TeamIsrael at the 2023 @WBCBaseball! #blueandwhite_baseball ????????⚾️???? pic.twitter.com/kgNo8ZJUYa
— Israel Baseball (@ILBaseball) July 17, 2022
Israel remained in Group D which will be based in Miami, United States. Also in that group is Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and the #4 qualifying team.
Written by: Dayana Villalobos Dimare
Twitter e Instagram: @_dayanavdimare
Follow all the action on LasMayores.com the official website of Major League Baseball
Do you want to know more about the latest news from the world of Baseball?
We invite you to follow us on our YouTube channel:
What’s happening MLB
For interviews and all things Yankees, follow our podcast:
Bombers’ Week
If you have not yet subscribed to our blog, you can do so here:
Subscribe to the blog by email
We also invite you to follow us on social networks:
Facebook: @conlasbasesllenas
Instagram: @conbasesllenas
Twitter: @conlasbasesfull
