New York Mets first baseman and former Florida Gator [autotag]Pete Alonso[/autotag] committed to playing for Team USA in the 2023 [autotag]World Baseball Classic[/autotag] on August 17, according to MLB.com.
Alonso is in the middle of a career year at the plate as the Mets surge toward the playoffs as the likely winner of the NL East. He’s tied for fourth in the majors in home runs with 31 and is tied for third in runs batted in with 105. Those numbers rival his 2019 stats when he won Rookie of the Year, and he’s certainly among the best power hitters in all of baseball.
“I’m really excited. It’s an honor to be a part of Team USA,” Alonso said. “There’s a lot of really amazing guys on the team so far. It’s a great opportunity, and I just feel lucky to be a part of it. … It’s an incredibly fun event. I’ve always wanted to play in it. It’s an honor to play for the stars and stripes.”
Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. will be the team’s hitting coach during the international event, and that should only help Alonso improve as a hitter. Team USA is loading up on talent, and pitting All-Star teams against each other for two weeks is a good way to help re-popularize the game.
Alonso driving in Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Bryce Harper is the kind of thing you typically only see in MLB: The Show gameplay, so baseball fans are in for a treat.
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