A 10-time Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star and three-time American League Most Valuable Player, Trout is widely regarded as the best player of his generation.

Trout, who turns 31 next month, opted out of the 2017 World Baseball Classic but is set to captain the US next year.

"I'm looking forward to playing for our country," Trout said, speaking at the MLB All-Game in Los Angeles.

Trout was chosen to represent the American League but will not play owing to a rib injury.

"It means a lot to me and my family to represent our country.

"It's going to be awesome to have 'USA' across my chest. 

"It really means a lot to me. 

"It's going to be fun."

The US are the defending champions.

Trout's participation is likely to be a boost for the profile of the World Baseball Classic in the US and abroad, as the tournament has often not featured many of the world's best players.

Despite his prowess, Trout has only ever played in one MLB postseason, in 2014, when his Los Angeles Angels team were swept in their first series against the Kansas City Royals.

The fact Trout has played so few games of playoff baseball has been a frustration for advocates who want the sport to grow but have been unable to count on arguably MLB's best player playing in its most important moments.

The World Baseball Classic is sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and organised in conjunction with MLB.

The World Baseball Classic serves as the WBSC's World Championship for men's national baseball teams.

The 2023 edition is due to be played in the US, Japan and Taiwan from March 8 to 21.

The US are in Group C in Phoenix, along with Mexico, Colombia, Canada and a qualifier yet to be determined.

Miami is due to host the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.

Taichung and Tokyo will stage a group each under the planned schedule.