“Absolutely wanted it”- Will Smith joins team USA for WBC as the 11th player

“Absolutely wanted it”- Will Smith joins team USA for WBC as the 11th player

Will Smith joins team USA for WBC

Will Smith has been one of the Dodgers’ most valuable — and underestimated — players for a while, and he might be the difference in Los Angeles capturing another World Series championship in 2022. Despite having a good first half, Will Smith was not selected for the National League All-Star team this year. However, he will compete against some of the top athletes in America the following year in an effort to win the World Baseball Classic for the first time in his career.

Will Smith joined teammate Mookie Betts, who made his commitment over the weekend, on Monday as the 11th player to declare his intent to compete for Team USA in the upcoming spring. Dino Ebel, the third base coach for the Dodgers, is a member of manager Mark DeRosa’s staff.

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“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.”

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Will Smith has 52 home runs since 2020, the most among any NL catcher

Will Smith
Will Smith

The maximum number of players on a World Baseball Classic squad is 28, and at least 13 pitchers and two catchers are required. J.T. Realmuto’s commitment to compete suggests that Team USA may already have its backstops in place. Smith, who leads all NL catchers with 52 home runs since 2020, may also act as the team’s designated hitter when necessary.

From March 11 to 15, Squad USA will begin defending its championship against Canada, Colombia, Mexico, and a yet-to-be-determined qualifying team in Pool C at Chase Field in Phoenix. From March 17–18, in Miami, the winner and runner-up of Pool C will progress to the quarterfinals, where they will face 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.”

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