Phoenix-born Griffin Jax to play in World Baseball Classic

The Valley has some local talent playing for the U.S. in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Zoom in: Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Griffin Jax was born in Phoenix in 1994.

• He's the son of former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Garth Jax, who played for the team from 1994-1995.
• Jax moved to Colorado in his youth — he graduated from Cherry Creek High School in suburban Denver — but we won't hold that against him.

What's next: The World Baseball Classic begins Wednesday, and the U.S. plays its first game on Friday in Houston against Brazil.