Austin Wells has a spot in the World Baseball Classic.
The New York Yankees‘ catcher will suit up for the Dominican Republic in the WBC, it was announced on Monday.
It was an announcement that had some fans a bit confused, though, because Wells wasn’t well known to have Dominican connections.
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Is Austin Wells Dominican?
Austin Wells isn’t from the Dominican Republic.
Wells was born in Scottsdale, Arizona and he attended high school at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas before playing collegiately at the University of Arizona.
He does have Dominican heritage, though.
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How can Austin Wells play for the Dominican Republic?
Wells can suit up for the Dominican Republic because his mother is Dominican.
His mother Michelle’s parents are both from the Dominican Republic.
Because of that, the WBC eligibility rules allow Wells to suit up for Team D.R. at the tournament.
Michelle and Wells’ father, Greg, met at the University of Arizona, where Michelle was a gymnast and Greg was a baseball player.
Now, Wells plays for the Yankees and will represent the Dominican Republic at the WBC.
