WBC Team Preview: Nicaragua

Team Nicaragua is still in search of its first World Baseball Classic win after debuting in the WBC in 2023, and has at least one major league position player this time in the New York Mets’ Mark Vientos. They are still very much a team filled with players from their country, but they have a little more major league talent than last time.

Notable Players

As mentioned, Mark Vientos is the main hitter here. He is coming off an uneven season but will look to reestablish himself in 2026, starting with trying to help lead Nicaragua to its first win after going 0-4 in pool play in 2023. Freddy Zamora, a minor league shortstop in the Brewers system, could see time in the majors this season. He is not the strongest hitter, but he is a plus defender at shortstop. Former top prospect Jeter Downs, one of the players in the trade that brought Mookie Betts to the Dodgers, is also on Team Nicaragua after a brief stint in the NPB. Minor leaguer Ismael Munguia will look to earn time in the majors in 2026 after signing a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Finally, Benjamin Alegria put up a 1.167 OPS in the 2023 WBC and is returning for the 2026 team.

On the pitching side, one name to watch is Ronald Medrano, formerly a Cardinals prospect. He represented Team Nicaragua in the 2026 World Baseball Qualification and pitched five innings of one-run ball against South Africa. Erasmo Ramírez spent 14 seasons in MLB and owns a career 4.34 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. Carlos Rodriguez debuted with the Brewers in 2024 and has pitched 22 innings in the majors to a 6.95 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. In Triple-A in 2025, he pitched 77.2 innings to a 3.82 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. JC Ramírez last pitched in the majors in 2019 and spent six seasons pitching to a 4.71 ERA and 1.39 WHIP.

Notable Coaches

Dusty Baker, a World Series champion as both a player and a manager, is managing Team Nicaragua. The three-time Manager of the Year will look to bring more success to the team than they had in 2023. Sandor Guido is the bench coach after managing the 2023 team. Former major leaguer Randall Simon is the hitting coach, and former Cardinals prospect Len Picota is the pitching coach.

WBC History

This is only the second year that Nicaragua will be in the World Baseball Classic after qualifying in 2023. They lost all four of their games and were outscored 22-4. While every team’s goal is to win the tournament, at least winning one game would be an improvement.

Jonathan Loáisiga pitched for Team Nicaragua in the 2023 World Baseball classic but is unable to return in 2026 due to injury.

Pool

Team Nicaragua will play in Pool D alongside teams Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Venezuela, and Israel. TheDominican Republic team or the Venezuelan team not advancing would be a true upset.

Team Nicaragua’s first game is Friday, March 6, against Team Dominican Republic at 7:00 PM at LoanDepot Park in Miami, FL. They will also face the New York Mets in an exhibition game on Tuesday, March 3, at 1:10 PM.

For a ranking of all 20 teams by MMO, click here.

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