Pool D of the 2023 World Baseball Classic is stacked, thanks to a trio of nations in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. But, there will be teams looking to play spoiler down in the Miami come March. Nicaragua is in Pool D, and its roster includes several current and former MLB players. Let’s take a closer look at the Nicaragua roster for the 2023 WBC.
Related: A Look at Team Israel for the 2023 World Baseball Classic
Pitchers
- Joaquin Acuna
- Leonardo Crawford
- Fidencio Flores
- Kevin Gadea
- Osman Guitierrez
- Duque Hebbert
- Jonathan Loáisiga
- Ronald Medrano
- Erasmo Ramírez
- Juan Carlos Ramirez
- Roniel Raudes
- Carlos Rodriguez
- Carlos Teller
- Junior Tellez
- Rodney Theophile
Team Nicaragua doesn’t have many pitchers currently in affiliated ball, but do have a couple of Major Leaguers in Erasmo Ramírez and Jonathan Loáisiga. Ramírez pitched well for the Nationals last season, as the 32-year-old veteran recorded a career-best 2.92 ERA and a tidy 1.07 WHIP in Washington. Loáisiga, meanwhile, posted exceptional batted ball metrics with the Yankees last season, but struggled with command at times. Still, the 28-year-old should be the main weapon for Nicaragua.
This group also features a couple of former notable Minors Leaguers in Kevin Gadea and Roniel Raudes. The 28-year-old Gadea impressed after a sensational 2016 in the Mariners farm system, after the righty struck out 72 over 50.1 innings. Injuries, though, took a toll on Gadea’s progress, as he spent all of 2017 and 2018 on the IL. Gadea spent time in the Mets farm system in 2021 and 2022, but was released in June. Raudes also sparkled in the lower Minors with the Red Sox, but failed to make it past A+.
Position Players
- Benjamin Alegria (INF)
- Isaac Benard (OF)
- Sandy Bermudez (OF)
- Alex Blandino (INF)
- Rodolfo Bone (C)
- Dwight Britton (OF)
- Cheslor Cuthbert (INF)
- Brandon Leyton (INF)
- Ivan Marin (INF)
- Elian Miranda (INF)
- Juan Diego Montes (INF)
- Melvin Novoa (C)
- Milkar Perez (INF)
- Norlando Valle (INF)
- Wuillians Vasquez (OF)
Not many players from this side of the ledger are in MLB organizations, but fans should recognize two names. Infielder Alex Blandino was a former first-round pick by the Reds in 2021, and did accrue 134 at-bats in his brief MLB career. Blandino hit .226/.339/.630 with two home runs in the Majors. Cheslor Cuthbert spent parts of five season with the Royals and had over 1,000 at-bats in the Majors. Cuthbert’s most productive season came in 2016, when the 30-year-old knocked in 46 runs and hit 12 home runs for the Royals.
Much like with Team Israel, it’s going to be tough to see Nicaragua do much damage in this year’s WBC. In the same pool alongside Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic, the road won’t be easy for this nation.
