Royals First Baseman Eric Hosmer added to team USA roster for World Baseball Classic

SURPRISE, AZ (March 6, 2013) - USA Baseball announced today that Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer has been added to the U.S. roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Hosmer, 23, recorded 14 home runs and 60 RBI in 2012, his second season in the Major Leagues.  He batted .389 for Team USA at the 2010 Pan American Games Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico.

Hosmer joins Royals left-handed reliever Tim Collins on Team USA.  The Royals now have a total of nine players on 2013 World Baseball Classic rosters:  Hosmer, Collins, left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino (Dominican Republic), right-handed pitchers Kelvin Herrera (Dominican Republic) and Luis Mendoza (Mexico), catcher Salvador Perez (Venezuela), infielders Irving Falu (Puerto Rico) and Miguel Tejada (Dominican Republic); and outfielder Paulo Orlando (Brazil).