Former MLB pitcher Carlos Maldonado to manage Panama at WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup

The Panama Baseball Federation (FEDEBEIS) announced that former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Carlos Maldonado will manage Panama at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025 presented by RAXUS.

Born in 1966, he signed a professional contract with MLB's Kansas City Royals as a teenager. He made his MLB debut on September 16, 1990. He competed in parts of three MLB seasons with the Royals (1990 and 1991) and the Milwaukee Brewers (1993). He pitched in 38 games as a reliever.

Maldonado is a four-time Manager of the Year in Panama. He earned the title in 2016 (Panama Metro), 2017 (Panama East) and 2024 (Panama West) at the U-18 level and in 2024 as Darien skipper in the National Championship. He led Panama to second place in the WBSC Americas U-18 Baseball World Cup Qualifier.

Japan will host the XXXII WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup in Okinawa from September 5 to 14.

World No. 9 Panama has participated 15 times. Their best result is fourth place (in 1984 and 1999). They finished in seventh place in 2023.

Panama will play in Group B and face No. 10 Australia, No. 19 China, No. 18 Germany, No. 2 Chinese Taipei and No. 3 USA.

Group A will include No. 12 Cuba, No. 14 Italy, No. 1 and defending champions Japan, No. 4 Korea, No. 7 Puerto Rico and No. 26 South Africa.