Q&A with former Arizona Wildcats infielder/outfielder Justin Wylie, who’s playing for Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic; Great Britain opens vs. Team USA on Saturday night in Phoenix.
Michael Lev Justin Wylie believes he has what it takes to be a big-league ballplayer. That no MLB organization views him the same way — at least not yet — is a source of frustration.
Wylie isn’t from Great Britain. But his mother, Cheryl, was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. That makes him eligible to play for Great Britain in the WBC. It all came together in about a month’s time, and before Wylie knew it, he was off to Regensburg, Germany, to play for Great Britain in the WBC qualifying tournament. Great Britain swept France, Germany and Spain to land a spot in the WBC. Wylie started at third base, batted cleanup and went 5 for 13 with a home run and four RBIs.
Wylie discussed the WBC, his career and other topics with the Star this week. The conversation has been lightly edited.A: “First and foremost, I want the team to win; I'm gonna do whatever it takes for the team to win. But I also understand the magnitude that comes with my individual performance. So I'm really just wanting to show out, do my best, perform my best, and hopefully something comes about that furthers my career as well.”A: “I'm so excited about it.
A: “I've definitely evolved as a hitter and as a baseball player in general. Back in 2020, when pretty much the world stopped and baseball wasn't really a thing, I sat down, looked myself in the mirror and was like, ‘All right, how am I going to further my career?’ I don’t run a 6.3 60. I have good hands, and I've always been on the stronger side of my team. So I was pretty much saying, ‘OK, let's learn how to drive the ball in the air consistently.
You’re 26 years old, still young. How long are you going to pursue baseball? As long as someone will have you, basically?
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