Panama Unveils Powerful Roster for WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025
Panama City announces its U-18 baseball team for the 2025 World Cup. Competing in Japan from September 5-14, they aim for success.
Panama Unveils Powerful Roster for WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025
The excitement is palpable as the Panama Baseball Federation (FEDEBEIS) unveiled its 20-player roster for the upcoming WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2025. This announcement took place during an official ceremony at the Rod Carew Stadium in Panama City. As the nation’s young talents gear up for the global stage, FEDEBEIS President Jaime Robinson expressed confidence, emphasizing the hard work and commitment that have shaped this dynamic team for their upcoming battles.
This roster boasts a remarkable blend of youth and experience, including two players with professional backgrounds. Catcher Juan Rujano has made waves in the Dominican Summer League with the St. Louis Cardinals, showcasing impressive statistics with a .279 batting average and hitting three home runs over 35 games. Meanwhile, infielder Michael Nieto, who has played across multiple positions for the Philadelphia Phillies, adds depth, having committed only three errors in 25 games.
Meet the Team
Here’s a closer look at the roster as Panama prepares to compete against formidable teams:
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| PITCHERS (8) | Joel González, Alberto Gómez, Carlos Guerrero, Joshua Martínez, Roderick Medina, Juan Ortega, José Serva, Héctor Aguilar |
| CATCHERS (2) | Juan Rujano, Yadier Fuentes |
| INFIELDERS (5) | Ricardo Acosta, William Cutshall, Daniel Méndez, Caleb Rivera, Michael Nieto |
| OUTFIELDERS (4) | Juan Caballero, Carlos Castillo, Luis Rivera, Aníbal Sánchez |
| UTILITY (1) | Lenin Quintero |
The tournament is set to unfold from September 5 to 14 in Japan’s stunning Okinawa Prefecture, with Panama competing in Group B against the USA, Australia, China, Germany, and Chinese Taipei. It’s worth noting that Panama has a rich history in this tournament, having participated in 15 editions and securing fourth place finishes in 1984 and 1999. The stakes are high!
Looking Ahead
Manager Carlos Maldonado has chosen to feature the young left-hander José Serva as the starter for the opening game against the USA. Serva, who is just 16 years old, has been on the radar of major league scouts, notably the Chicago Cubs, thanks to his robust pitching arsenal, including a fastball and curveball. His previous international experience at the U-12 and U-15 levels adds to his promise.
In anticipation of the World Cup, Panama will also host the 2024 U-18 Pan American Championship, starting August 2. This tournament will serve as a qualifying event for the World Cup, with Panama already having secured its spot. Competing in this championship are 13 teams divided into two groups:
- Group A: Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua
- Group B: Brazil, Costa Rica, Panama, Puerto Rico, United States, Venezuela
The main venues for this exciting event will include the Estadio Nacional Rod Carew and Estadio de Beisbol Justino Salinas, where teams will engage in round-robin play before advancing to the knockout stages. It promises to be a week of thrilling baseball, culminating in bronze and gold medal games on August 11.
With such rich talent and experience, Panama isn’t just making up the numbers; they are bringing passion and grit to the international stage. Fans, be on the lookout to root for our young stars and witness the next generation of baseball talent!
For full details, check out the announcements from WBSC and the U-18 Pan American Championship preview on Baseball Canada. More updates are available at WBSC Americas.