USA Baseball announced it has invited 28 players to training camp ahead of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Baseball Americas qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with Matt Kemp among the former Los Angeles Dodgers included.
The roster features a blend of veterans and notable prospects. To be eligible for inclusion, a player cannot presently occupy a spot on a team’s 40-man roster or injured list.
Among the most experienced players invited to training camp include Homer Bailey, Kemp, David Robertson and Matt Wieters. Kemp has appeared in 1,750 games over 15 MLB seasons — 1,262 of which came with the Dodgers.
Other players on the roster with ties to the organization include Tim Federowicz, Logan Forsythe and Edwin Jackson. Federowicz signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers this past offseason and began the 2021 season in Triple-A Oklahoma City.
For all of the experience in training camp with USA Baseball, there additionally are plenty of up-and-coming players looking to earn a spot on the final 26-man roster, which will be announced by manager Mike Scioscia.
Two of the Boston Red Sox’s top prospects in Triston Casas and Jarren Duran are among the most noteworthy invitees. The former previously earned WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup MVP honors in 2017.
The WBSC qualifier begins on June 1 in Florida. USA Baseball, as the No. 2 seed, will compete in Group A and face the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Nicaragua. Canada, Colombia, Cuba and Venezuela make up Group B.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the Super Round, whereas the team with the best overall record clinches a spot in the Tokyo Olympic baseball tournament.
The Tokyo Olympic Games baseball tournament will be held in Fukushima City and Yokohama, Japan, from July 28-Aug. 7. Host-country Japan, Israel, Korea and Mexico have already secured a berth in the six-team field.
Full list of 28 players invited to USA training camp
Pitchers (15): Clayton Andrews, Homer Bailey, Jonathan Bowlan, Brandon Dickson, Anthony Gose, Edwin Jackson, DJ Johnson, Trevor Lane, Matthew Liberatore, Drew Parrish, David Robertson, Joe Ryan, Marc Rzepczynski, James Sherfi, Simeon Woods Richardson
Catchers (3): Tim Federowicz, Mark Kolozsvary, Matt Wieters
Infielders (6): Nick Allen, Eddy Alvarez, Triston Casas, Logan Forsythe, Todd Frazier, Luke Williams
Outfielders (4): Jarren Duran, Eric Filia, Jon Jay, Matt Kemp
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