Cardinals MVP candidate joins star-studded Team USA for World Baseball Classic

The St. Louis Cardinals will have a big presence representing them on Team USA for the World Baseball Classic as Paul Goldschmidt will suit up again. 

Barring that he forgets how to play the game of baseball, all signs point to St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is going to win National League MVP honors when the season concludes. He’s been a monster for the Redbirds in the 2022 season.

But now he’s looking to be a monster for America before the start of the 2023 campaign.

On Saturday, it was confirmed that Goldschmidt will join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic again after he played and helped the United States take gold the last time the event was held in 2017.

Cardinals MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic

Goldschmidt joins an already star-studded roster that’s taking shape for Team USA as Mike Trout was first announced as the captain of the squad and then Red Sox second baseman Trevor Story later confirmed that he would be joining the team as well.

Back in 2017, Goldschmidt — then a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks — was part of the American contingent but didn’t produce all that well as he managed just one hit in five games that he appeared in, though he did score two runs in the tournament.

With that said, Goldschmidt has taken his play to another level this season, hence his status as the NL MVP favorite. He’s slashing an absurd .330/.411/.609 this season with the Cardinals with 26 home runs, 82 RBI, 73 runs scored and 28 doubles for good measure.

That bat is going to be of massive importance for Team USA as they are putting together quite a team already to defend the crown.

The World Baseball Classic will take place across Taiwan, Japan and the United States with the quarterfinals and Championship taking place in Miami. The tournament will be held from March 8-21 in 2023 after it was delayed from 2021 due to COVID-19.