As World Baseball Classic nears, Royals players — including Bobby Witt — excited to play
Not only do teams in the Cactus League call Arizona home, but so, too, will players participating in the World Baseball Classic in March.
With Chase Field in downtown Phoenix hosting Team USA, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and pitcher Brady Singer will find themselves spending time at the Arizona Diamondbacks ballpark.
The Royals will be heavily represented at the World Baseball Classic. Ten active players on the roster, including catcher Salvador Perez (Venezuela), Carlos Hernandez (Venezuela) and Nicky Lopez (Italy) will represent their countries.
Witt’s father played for Team USA in 1984 and helped his squad win win a silver medal. Witt Jr. hopes to keep his family name strong and win a title for his country.
“Oh, it’s going to be a blast. I’m really privileged to be a part of the team. I’m just trying to figure out my role,” Witt said. “I’m just going to take it all in and learn from and see their routine. I think that’s the biggest thing, is just learning.”
Witt, 22, is one of the younger players on Team USA, but his play last season showcased that he is an up-and-coming star in MLB. He hit .254 with 20 home runs on the season, including 30 stolen bases. He became only the fifth player in MLB history to join the 20-20 club in a rookie season.
Witt understands that this is an ideal opportunity to learn from some of the best in the game. And he already has made an impression on the veterans.
“He’s a stud. He’s going to be really good in this league for a long time,” Team USA captain Mike Trout said in January, per 610 Sports Radio. “I think it’s great for the game to have the young stars come in, to be with the veteran guys.”
Singer had his best season on the mound last year in a Kansas City uniform. He finished 10-5 with a 1.14 ERA and 150 strikeouts, all career highs for the right-hander who is expected to be the Royals’ ace this season. Now in his fourth season in Kansas City, Singer looks to keep hitters off-balance, mixing in splitters and sliders to go along with his fastball.
Lopez, meanwhile, said he is proud to represent Team Italy.
“I’m actually very excited because (Team Italy) gets to Taiwan and we’re facing Cuba, the Netherlands and Chinese Taipei,” he said. “It’s actual games and you have to be ready to compete. I think being in those competitions and those games early, I think it might be beneficial.”
Manager Matt Quatraro said his players’ presence in the tournament is a positive sign for the club’s future.
“It’s exciting and I think those guys should soak that up,” Quatraro said. “It shows that we’re building depth here. Obviously we’ve got guys like Salvy who are well established, but (there are) younger guys as well that are going to go play at a pretty high level of competition.”
The World Baseball Classic will take place for the first time since 2017. The United States, which won the last World Baseball Classic, will look to win back-to-back championships. Although Witt and Singer are two of the younger players on the national team, they are hoping to help deliver another championship for USA baseball.
Team USA will begin World Baseball Classic play at the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Chase Field on March 11.
