Exhibition Game: Nats host Team Israel!

Posted on March 9, 2023 by Stephen G. "Ghost" Mears
Team Israel vs. Washington Nationals Stadium: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches; West Palm Beach, Florida 1st Pitch: 6:05 pm EDT TV: N/A Radio: N/A
Line-up subject to change (without notice):

Photo by Stephen Lasnick for TalkNats

The 4-6-1 Washington Nationals are hosting Team Israel before they jump into the WBC’s toughest bracket. The Nats have Cade Cavalli on the mound and James Wood, the team’s consensus  №1 prospect, in center field. Team Israel is made up of all American-born players who have Jewish lineage, and might be best known for some of their coaching staff made up of a few former All-Stars. Many of the WBC team’s are built with some connection to the host country by nationality or citizenship. Team Israel’s most recognizable player is Joc Pederson, and he is not playing in his game. In the D.C. area, Matt Mervis is a big deal. He grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland and dominated the travel ball scene and high school play at Georgetown Prep. He was actually drafted by the Washington Nationals but decided to go to Duke on a baseball scholarship, and he is now a top prospect for the Cubs. 

Per Mark Lerner, “Tonight’s game should be especially fun with several of our top young prospects like Cade Cavalli, Elijah Green, James Wood, Brady House, Daylen Lile, Armando Cruz, T.J. White and Darren Baker, among others, dressed and ready to play.”

It was good finding out from the owner as to who would be in the game, and James Wood will be starting this one in center field. Once again, no TV for this one. This stings because we all would want to watch the top prospects playing, and that starting lineup along with some of the first substitutes could be a glimpse into the future with [♥dreaming here♥] House 3B, CJ Abrams SS, Luis Garcia 2B, T.J. White 1B, Keibert Ruiz C. Green LF, Wood CF, Lane Thomas RF.  Yes, noticeably missing is Robert Hassell III who is dealing with minor wrist soreness.
Team Israel vs. Washington Nationals Stadium: The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches; West Palm Beach, Florida 1st Pitch: 6:05 pm EDT TV: N/A Radio: N/A
Line-up subject to change (without notice):
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