Will Smith latest to commit to Team USA
MIAMI -- For a few years now, Will Smith has been one of the most valuable -- and underappreciated -- members of the Dodgers, and he could be the key to Los Angeles winning another World Series title in 2022.
Smith was left off the National League All-Star team this season despite having a strong first half. But next year, he will be playing with some of the best athletes in America to try and accomplish something for the first time in his career: Win a World Baseball Classic.
On Monday, Smith became the 11th player to commit to playing for Team USA next spring, joining teammate Mookie Betts, who committed over the weekend. Dodgers third-base coach Dino Ebel is also on manager Mark DeRosa’s staff.
“You come up as a kid dreaming and seeing people put on the USA jerseys, and you hope to one day be in that position and have that opportunity,” Smith said. “I absolutely wanted to do it. They came asking, and I’m just humbled and grateful and excited for the opportunity.”
World Baseball Classic rosters are capped at 28 players and must include 13 pitchers and two catchers. With J.T. Realmuto committed to playing, Team USA may already have its backstops set.
Smith, who has 52 home runs since 2020 -- the most of any NL catcher -- could also serve as the team’s DH, when needed.
Here's how the roster looks:
C: J.T. Realmuto, Will Smith
1B: Pete Alonso, Paul Goldschmidt
2B: Trevor Story
SS: Tim Anderson
3B: Nolan Arenado
OF: Mookie Betts, Cedric Mullins, Mike Trout, Kyle Tucker
Team USA will begin its title defense as part of Pool C at Chase Field in Phoenix, from March 11-15, facing Canada, Colombia, Mexico and a to-be-determined qualifying team. The Pool C winner and runner-up will advance to the quarterfinals in Miami from March 17-18, where they will match up against the winner and runner-up of Pool D.
“It’s going to be a really good team,” Smith said. “It’s going to be neat to be around all those guys and see how they go about their business. I’m just excited about the whole experience and excited to try and win it.”