The post Why Austin Wells is fighting for the Dominican Republic in the WBC originally appeared on The Sporting News. Click here to add Sports News as your go-to source.
The Dominican Republic has a quality catcher on its roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
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Now who is probably the first thing that comes to your mind. I’m New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells.
Wells doesn’t come across as a Dominican player, nor is he from the Dominican Republic
But because of his heritage, he was able to fight for one of the powerhouses in the WBC Championship.
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Why does Austin Wells play for the Dominican Republic?
Wells could suit up in the Dominican Republic because his mother is Dominican.
His mother Michelle’s parents were both from the Dominican Republic.
Therefore, WBC eligibility rules allow Wells to suit up for Team DR in the fight.
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Michelle and Wells’ father, Greg, met at the University of Arizona, where Michelle was a gymnast and Greg was a baseball player.
Is Austin Wells Dominican?
Austin Wells is not from the Dominican Republic.
Wells was born in Scottsdale, Arizona, and attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas before playing basketball at the University of Arizona.
However, his Dominican heritage was enough for him to qualify under WBC rules, so he jumped at the chance to represent his family roots.
