Colombia announces U-23 Baseball World Cup roster with MLB prospects

The Baseball Federation of Colombia (FCB) announced its 24-man roster for the upcoming WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.

"Our Executive Committee worked closely with Major League Baseball (MLB) organisations," announced FCB through a press release. "We were able to select the best U-23 players available."

FCB added that 67% of the players on the roster are under contract with MLB organizations.

General manager Neder Horta Arrieta was in charge of the selection process.

PITCHERS (11) Jasier Herrera, Luis Moreno, Jorge Martínez (San Francisco Giants), Rubén Galindo (San Diego Padres), Luis de Avala (Kansas City Royals), Sergio Palacios, Elkin Alcalá, Jhon Peluffo, José Altamiranda, Yeison Batista, Carlos de Ávila (free agents).
CATCHERS (3) Santiago Angulo (San Francisco Giants), Juan Zabala (Los Ángeles Dodgers), Gustavo Campero (Los Ángeles Angels).
INFIELDERS (6) Jordan Díaz (Oakland Athletics), Leandro Emiliani (Washington Nationals), Fabián Pertuz (Chicago Cubs), Dayan Frías (Cleveland Indians), Héctor Martínez (Los Ángeles Dodgers).
OUTFIELDERS (4) Brayan Buelvas (Oakland Athletics), Jhon Torres (St Louis Cardinals), Luis Castro, Jesús Marriaga (free agents).

José Mosquera Crisón, who led the Caimanes de Barranquilla to the last Colombian Professional League (LCBP) title, will be the manager. Mosquera is currently a minor league coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates of MLB.

His staff includes two coaches serving in organized baseball: Ronald Ramírez de la Rosa (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Manuel Esquivia (Chicago Cubs).

World No. 15 Colombia will open its U-23 World Cup on 23 September against No. 13 Panama in Hermosillo. The other competitors in group B are No. 2 Korea, No. 8 Netherlands, No. 10 Venezuela and No. 14 Nicaragua.

Colombia finished seventh in the WBSC U-23 World Cup 2018, played on home soil in Barranquilla and Monteria.