All 16 teams have at least one former member of Team USA
USA Baseball, the national governing body for baseball in the United States, recently announced that 80 USA Baseball alumni are set to play in the first-ever 16-team MLB postseason. All 16 postseason teams have at least one former Team USA member on their rosters. The Cincinnati Reds lead the way with eight alumni, while the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals each have seven.
The National League has a combined 47 alumni on its rosters while the American League boasts 33 players who have previously worn the red, white and blue.
The 2020 MLB Postseason began Tuesday, Sept. 29, with the American League Wild Card Series featuring the Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins.
The opening round matchup featuring the most USA Baseball alumni is between the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds in the National League Wild Card Series, which will include 15 players that have suited up for the stars and stripes. The series begins Wednesday, Sept. 30, at noon EDT.
Players that represent USA Baseball as well as the two Southern California teams from the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, are listed below. The complete list of USA Baseball alumni on 2020 MLB Postseason rosters can be found online:
Los Angeles Dodgers (6):
Walker Buehler – 2014 Collegiate
Joe Kelly – 2007 Collegiate
Clayton Kershaw – 2005 18U
Jake McGee – 2017 Professional (WBC)
A.J. Pollock – 2011 Professional
Corey Seager – 2010 16U
San Diego Padres (7):
Jason Castro – 2009 Professional
Jake Cronenworth – 2019 Professional
Zach Davies – 2007 14U
Trent Grisham – 2014 18U
Eric Hosmer – 2007 18U; 2010 Professional; 2013, 2017 Professional (WBC)
Manny Machado – 2009 18U
Drew Pomeranz – 2009 Collegiate
USA Baseball is committed to serving, protecting, and supporting the game of baseball and its 15.6 million participants. Founded in 1978, USA Baseball fields six national teams annually and is a member of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the World Baseball Softball Confederation. On the diamond, USA Baseball is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and the reigning World Baseball Classic champion, and its national teams have won 62 gold medals in international competition.
Celebrated in coordination with the 20th anniversary of the gold medal-victory over Cuba in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, USA Baseball encourages its alumni, community and fans to celebrate its past accomplishments by sharing stories of impact and helping spread the word on what it means to be a part of USA Baseball. For more information on the organization, its national teams and development-driven initiatives, visit the official website at http://www.USABaseball.com or http://www.USABDevelops.com.
JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com.
