Team USA announced Thursday its list of initial invitees, which includes seven players who are on Cape League rosters for the upcoming summer. The list:
Christian Colon – INF – Cal State Fullerton – Fr. – Orleans
Kyle Gibson – RHP – Missouri – So. – Falmouth
A.J. Griffin – RHP – San Diego – So. – Brewster
Mike Leake – RHP – Arizona State – So. – Cotuit
Mike Minor – RHP – Vanderbilt – So. – Wareham
Hunter Morris – 1B – Auburn – Fr. – Falmouth
Andy Oliver – LHP – Oklahoma State – So. – Wareham
It’s my understanding that being invited doesn’t necessarily mean these players will automatically go and spurn the Cape. Timing will also play a big role. For players whose teams make the College World Series, Team USA becomes a less likely option. Team USA’s trials begin a full two weeks before the CWS ends, and its official season begins on the day the CWS ends. Last year, that meant that Team USA didn’t have a single player from Oregon State or North Carolina, the CWS finalists.
However, last year, every single one of the players on the initial list was on the team, so take that for what it’s worth.
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