Competitive Colombian roster heading to WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024
Colombia's manager José Mosquera announced his 24-man roster for the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024 with the majority of players having experienced organised baseball in the United States.
Catcher Guillermo Quintana played 264 Minor League Baseball (MiLB) games for the Kansas City Royals (2018-2022), including 114 at Class A. He has already debuted in the Colombia Winter League and has played in the independent American Association.
Infielder Carlos Arroyo played at the Class A Advanced level for the Atlanta Braves and has already debuted in the Colombian Winter League.
Right-handed pitcher Manuel Rumbos played for the Chicago White Sox in the Dominican Summer League. Left-handed pitcher Diego Chiquillo played for the Pittsburgh Pirates organisation, and 19-year-old right-hander Cristian Diaz played for the Philadelphia Phillies organisation.
Right-hander José Garces is in the Colorado Rockies organisation, right-hander Carlos Meza plays in the Toronto Blue Jays organisation while 18-year-old left-hander David Burgos plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers organisation.
Right-hander Bryan Medrano participated in the qualifier and debuted in the Colombian Winter League. Catcher Juan Garcia plays for the Cincinnati Reds organisation while catcher Jorge Puerta also had a brief experience in the Reds organisation. Infielder Nolan Beltran plays in the Philadelphia Phillies organisation.
Infielder Branlyn Jaraba has played in the Milwaukee Brewers organisation and has three years of experience in the Colombian Winter League. First baseman Dario Borrero played in the Chicago White Sox organisation. Infielder Jean Pier Henao played in the 2023-24 Colombian Winter League.
18-year-old outfielder Andres Villafanez is under contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates while outfielder Gustavo Armas played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and outfielder Jesus Sepulveda plays in the Colombian Winter League and participated in the qualifier.
Last but not least, outfielder Andrey Martinez played for St. Petersburg College in the US.
Mosquera led Colombia to a U-23 World Cup bronze medal in 2021, a historic Pan American Games title in 2023, and first place in the WBSC Americas U-23 Baseball World Cup Qualifier. His staff includes Neder Horta, Ronald Ramírez and Rodrigo Escobar.
World No. 11 Colombia will compete in Group A and face No. 1 Japan, No. 10 Puerto Rico, No. 15 Australia, No. 18 Great Britain and No. 24 China.
Group B will include No. 3 Chinese Taipei, No. 5 Venezuela, No. 6 Korea, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 17 Nicaragua and No. 31 South Africa.