Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker announced Saturday afternoon that he will play for the United States team in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, to be played in March 2023.
Tucker will bring a much-needed dose of southpaw power to the lineup, in addition to his great defense in right field, though he has played in all three woods throughout his career. The roster won’t be completed until after the season is over, but this is what Team USA could look like based on the players who have accepted the invitation to participate. It could very well end up being the best team the USA has sent in the history of the event:
C: J.T. Realmuto
1B: Pete Alonso, Paul Goldschmidt
2B: Trevor Story
SS: Tim Anderson
3B: Nolan Arenado
OF: Mookie Betts, Bryce Harper, Cedric Mullins, Kyle Tucker, Mike Trout
Tournament rules limit the roster to 28 players, and must include 13 pitchers and two catchers.
The United States will begin its title defense on March 11 in Phoenix. Although most of the tournament’s participating teams have already been announced and the field is almost full, there are still four spots available. The top two teams from each of next month’s qualifying tournaments in Regensburg, Germany, and Panama City, Panama will advance to play in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
