Despite being the lowest ranked team in Group B, Puerto Rico is aiming to beat their previous result when they finished eighth in their only previous appearance in the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup to date in Barranquilla, Colombia in 2018.
The world No. 16 team in the world are in the same group as Korea (world ranked No. 3), Mexico (4), Netherlands (8), Cuba (9) and Australia (10) and start their campaign against Cuba on Friday with spirits high.
"We have more talent than we had at the qualifier, our pitching and defence are going to be very good," commented manager Juan Igor Gonzalez. "We have a great mix of professionals, collegiate players and stars of our National Double-A League," added the former MLB All-Star.
Puerto Rico had to suspend their preparation for nine days due to hurricane Fiona.
"We did everything possible to take the players to the World Cup in the best condition," added Gonzalez.
Puerto Rico team:
PITCHERS (12) Alexander Castro, Luis Gonzalez, Edwin Sanchez, Bryan Marrero, Jan Figueroa, Yadiel Rolon, Juan Marcano, Osvaldo Berrios, Felix Fabian Sanchez, Sebastian Rodriguez, Gabriel Cotto, Jerryell Rivera
CATCHERS (3) Oscar Santos, Jonathan Nieves, Victor Torres
INFIELDERS (5) Glenn Santiago, Dilan Rosario, Shawn Ross, Ricardo de la Torre, Kenen Irizarry
OUTFIELDERS (4) Ezequiel Pagan, Pablo Sanchez, Abimelec Ortiz, Misael Gonzalez
