Puerto Rico announce quality roster for WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup
World No. 10 Puerto Rico announced a talented 24-man roster for the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024, which takes place in Shaoxing, China from 6-15 September, after completing their tournament preparation at home.
"We indeed have a talented group," commented manager Juan Igor Gonzalez. "Hopefully, the guys will rest and get to the field ready to show what they're capable of doing."
Three players on the roster have professional experience. Shortstop Edrick Felix plays for the Chicago White Sox organisation, shortstop Randal Diaz was selected by the Washington Nationals at the 2024 Draft and Jankel Ortiz, also a middle infielder, played for the Minnesota Twins.
The roster also includes nine National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) players: infielder John Montes (University of South Florida); catcher and first baseman Luis Hernández (Indiana State University); outfielders Edgardo Villegas (University of Miami) and Daniel Figueroa (Bethune-Cookman University); pitchers Jorhan Laboy (Alabama State University), Luis Rivera (Towson University), Luis Rodríguez (Louisiana State University), Omar Meléndez (University of Maryland) and Carlos Roses (Bethune-Cookman University).
Five players are active in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA): outfielder Gilberto Torres and pitchers Alejandro Gonzalez, Angel Miranda, Ramon Rodriguez and Lucas Vega.
The other roster members are all active in the Puerto Rican Superior Double-A League.
Gonzalez's staff includes former Toronto Blue Jays third base coach Luis Papa Rivera, Dennis Pérez, Eddie González, Juan Carlos Montero and former MLB pitcher Dicky Gonzalez.
Puerto Rico will compete in Group A and face No. 1 Japan, No. 11 Colombia, No. 15 Australia, No. 18 Great Britain and No. 24 China.
Group B includes No. 3 Chinese Taipei, No. 5 Venezuela, No. 6 Korea, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 17 Nicaragua and No. 31 South Africa.