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SF Giants: Logan Webb no longer on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster

After committing to play for Team USA earlier in the offseason, SF Giants ace Logan Webb no longer plans to participate in the World Baseball Classic.

Marc Delucchi

SF Giants: Logan Webb no longer on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster
SF Giants: Logan Webb no longer on Team USA’s World Baseball Classic roster /
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Team USA released its roster for the 2023 World Baseball Classic on Thursday afternoon, and there was one notable omission. SF Giants ace Logan Webb, who had committed to play for Team USA in December, is not on Team USA's roster. Webb had hinted at Giants FanFest that he was reconsidering whether to compete in the WBC, and it appears the right-handed starter has opted out of the competition.

SF Giants pitcher Logan Webb throws a pitch against the Rockies. (2022)
SF Giants right-handed pitcher Logan Webb. (2022) / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Webb has emerged as one of the best young starting pitchers in MLB over the past two seasons. Last year, despite the Giants disappointing season, Webb posted a 2.90 ERA in 192.1 innings and finished 11th in National League Cy Young award voting. After the Giants lost left-handed starting pitcher Carlos Rodón in free agency to the New York Yankees this offseason, Webb is undeniably the top starting pitcher in San Francisco's rotation. Given how reliant the team will be on Webb in 2023, it's not surprising that he ultimately decided to pass up playing in the WBC out of fear of an increased risk of injury.

A Rocklin, California native, Webb seems like an ideal extension candidate. However, despite reports that both sides have had interest in a long-term extension, there have been no recent reports suggesting the two sides are close to an agreement. Granted, extension negotiations usually stay behind closed doors until a deal is announced.

Despite not playing for Team USA, Logan Webb will still get a taste of some World Baseball Classic action this spring. Team USA plans to use the SF Giants facilities in Scottsdale, Arizona as their base camp for operations throughout the tournament. Moreover, the Giants will host Team USA for an exhibition game on March 8th, where Webb will presumably get to face off against the players he had once planned to suit up alongside.

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Marc Delucchi
MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).

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