SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- For the past several months, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa has imagined filling out the star-studded lineup that has the potential to carry the Americans to another title run at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
DeRosa finally got his first chance to unveil the vaunted order in Team USA’s 5-1 exhibition loss to the Giants on Wednesday night at Scottsdale Stadium.
Here’s how the stars aligned:
Mookie Betts, RF
Mike Trout, CF
Kyle Schwarber, DH
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
Nolan Arenado, 3B
Kyle Tucker, LF
Trea Turner, SS
J.T. Realmuto, C
Jeff McNeil, 2B
“You could say it’s a better lineup than a lot of the All-Star lineups,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “It’s ridiculous. It’s so fun.”
There’s no shortage of star power up and down the lineup -- McNeil, the defending National League batting champion, amazingly batted in the ninth spot -- but the unquestioned leader of the group is Trout, who was tapped to serve as the team captain for the tournament.
“This is great,” Trout said. “Just to see the whole team come together and now being here. Practicing with them and getting to play a game with them, it’s awesome. … I’m just here to have a good time and try to win this thing.”
Trout, a three-time American League MVP and 10-time All-Star, turned down an opportunity to represent the United States at the 2017 iteration of the WBC, but he later felt a pang of regret after watching his countrymen bring home the trophy for the first time. When he was presented with the opportunity to help Team USA defend its title this year, Trout was the first to jump aboard and recruit other big names to the cause.
"To be honest with you, I think it was an easy sell for a lot of these guys to want to be in the room with him and Mookie,” DeRosa said. "It was like Mike called Mookie, and then it was on. From a position-player standpoint, you’d be crazy not to want to be a part of this. Pitching was a little more difficult, and rightfully so, [I] completely understand that. But Mike’s one of the greatest players of all time. Just to be on the net yesterday and watching him play BP was a highlight for me. He’s been the leader so far."
Trout went 0-for-2 and logged four innings in center field in his first appearance in the red, white and blue, reaching base in the first inning after he was struck by a pitch from Giants right-hander Anthony DeSclafani. His second game should be more eventful, as he’s slated to face off against his Angels teammates in another exhibition game at Tempe Diablo Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
“I kind of was like, ‘Mike, I know these fans are going to want you to play against your team, so you probably won’t be going nine innings tonight,’” DeRosa said.
“Continuing to see Mike Trout up close is such a thrill as a baseball fan,” Kapler added. “He’s so different than everyone else. He’s way more physical than everybody. He’s like true linebacker size and speed, and explosive.
"I think we’re seeing the best player ever. I’m always excited to be a part of that. I have so much respect for the work ethic and who he is on and off the field. I always get excited when he’s around.”
Giants pitching held Team USA to four hits on Wednesday, with Goldschmidt accounting for the club’s lone run via a sixth-inning solo shot off left-hander Sean Manaea.
“I’ve faced most of those guys,” Manaea said. “That’s probably one of the best lineups I’ve ever faced.”
DeRosa said Team USA’s order will be tweaked slightly for Thursday’s day game, with Pete Alonso and Tim Anderson -- two other All-Stars -- expected to start at first base and shortstop, respectively.
"You don’t want to offend anyone, right?” DeRosa said. “There’s no wrong answer, really. We’ve vetted it a million different ways, trying to split up the righties and lefties and get after it. We’ll do a couple little different things tomorrow in the exhibition game. Kind of a night, day. Get some guys off their feet and get them ready for Great Britain.”
Team USA will open WBC play in Pool C on Saturday against Team Great Britain at Chase Field in Phoenix. They then play Team Mexico on Sunday, Team Canada on Monday and Team Colombia on Wednesday.