Cardinals: Adam Wainwright commits to Team USA for the WBC

Adam Wainwright will be joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic

With the United State Men’s National Team’s World Cup run taking center stage at the moment, St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright made a commitment of his own to represent his country at the World Baseball Classic in March. 

Wainwright, who went 11-12 with a 3.71 ERA in 2022, committed to the team the same day New York Yankees starter Nestor Cortes did. Wainwright joins teammates Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt on an already stacked USA team.

According to MLB.com, this is how the roster is currently shaking out for the United States

C: J.T. Realmuto, Will Smith
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Pete Alonso
2B: Trevor Story
SS: Tim Anderson
3B: Nolan Arenado, Bobby Witt Jr.usa f
OF: Mookie Betts, Cedric Mullins, Mike Trout, Kyle Tucker
SP: Nestor Cortes, Merrill Kelly, Adam Wainwright
RP: David Bednar, Dillon Tate, Devin Williams

This is an insanely talented team, but does seem a little bit thin when it comes to the pitching side of things. As things currently stand, Wainwright could be in line for some crucial starts for Team USA, including a potential matchup with former battery mate and current manager of Team Puerto Rico, Yadier Molina.

In what will be Wainwright’s final major league season, it is fun to see him getting an opportunity alongside his superstar teammates to represent his country on the global stage. For the Cardinals, it may play to their advantage that Goldschmidt, Arenado, and Wainwright will all be playing meaningful baseball leading up to the regular season, rather than true exhibition games in Spring Training. The trio should be fired up and ready by Opening Day against the Toronto Blue Jays in St. Louis.