The World Baseball Classic is returning in 2023, and players are beginning to commit to their respective national teams. For Giants outfielder Joc Pederson, that means returning to play for Team Israel.
Former Texas Rangers second baseman and Team Israel manager Ian Kinsler confirmed the news that Pederson will be back after representing the country during the 2013 edition of the tournament.
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“We are putting together the roster and coaching staff and we have had some great conversations with players both in the major and minor leagues,” Kinsler told The Jerusalem Post on Sunday.
“We are looking to bring in some great players, including Joc Pederson, who has committed to play and who will be in Los Angeles this week at the MLB All-Star Game.”
The San Francisco slugger has a Jewish mother, permitting him to play for Team Israel. Pederson and other major leaguers eligible for Israeli citizenship can participate on the team that Kinsler is constructing for next year’s WBC.
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As a result, players such as Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried, Baltimore Orioles Israeli-American pitcher Dean Kremer, and other Jewish MLB players are qualified to be on the squad with Pederson.
Israel is in Group D, which plays in Miami, Fla. from March 11-15. They will be part of a pool featuring some heavyweights in the tournament, such as Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.