2023 World Baseball Classic: Panama team roster | Cordoba, Bethancourt, Arauz, Castillo
Here’s how Team Panama’s roster will look for the 2023 World Baseball Classic held from March 8 to March 21.
Team Panama come into this WBC as one of the strongest and most experienced teams in the competition. While they are perhaps lacking the star power of some of their opponents, everyone on the roster is a solid MLB star or top prospect for the Show. Along with Nicaragua, Panama has long been the strongest baseballing nation in Central America, and they are looking to stretch their legs in this tournament.
Team Panama 2023 World Baseball Classic roster
Coaching staff
- Head coach: Luis Ortiz
- Bench coach: Luis Caballero
- Pitching coach: Enrique Burgos
- Pitching coach: Wilfredo Cordoba
- Hitting coach: Victor Preciado
- First base coach: Cirilo Cumberbatch
- Third base coach: Vicente Garibaldo
- Bullpen Coach: Hipolito Ortiz
- Coach: Umberto Guevara
Infielders
- Allen Córdoba
- Christian Bethancourt (Rays)
- Edgar Munoz
- Gerald Chin
- Jonathan Araúz
- Jose Caballero
- Joshwan Wright
- Rubén Tejada
- Outfielders
- Jahdiel Santamaria
- Jhonny Santos
- Jose Ramos
- L.J. Jones
- Luis Castillo
- Rodrigo Orozco
Catchers
- Erasmo Caballero
- Iván Herrera (Cardinals)
Pitchers
- Alberto Baldonado (Nationals) L/L
- Alberto Guerrero R/R
- Andy Otero L/L
- Carlos Luna R/R
- Davis Romero L/L
- Harold Arauz R/R
- Humberto Mejía (Mets) R/R
- Jaime Barría (Angels) R/R
- James Gonzalez L/L
- Javy Guerra (Brewers) L/R
- Justin Lawrence (Rockies) R/R
- Matt Hardy L/R
- Miguel Cienfuegos L/L
- Paolo Espino (Nationals) R/R
- Randall Delgado R/R
- Severino González R/R
- Steven Fuentes R/R
- Wilfredo Pereira R/R
The pitching staff for Team Panama will carry them a long way and while they have some strong bats, it is really their defense that will see them over the line. They have a tough hill to climb out of Pool A, which will see them travel to Taiwan for their group games. Cuba, the Netherlands, and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) will be their biggest rivals for the second round spot, but Italy showed themselves to be tenacious in the qualifying rounds and won’t lay down either. A few hot bats could be the key ingredient for this Panamanian squad to see their fortunes rise.