Pool D is set to be an interesting one, as three baseball superpowers — Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela — are set to square off against one another in Miami. Team Venezuela will bring a loaded team to the 2023 World Baseball Classic, but can this group get over the hump this year? Let’s go over Team Venezuela’s roster for the 2023 WBC.
Related: A Look at Team Puerto Rico in the 2023 World Baseball Classic
Pitchers
- José Alvarado
- Silvino Bracho
- Endrys Briceno
- Max Castillo
- Jhoulys Chacin
- Enmanuel De Jesus
- Jhonathan Diaz
- Edwin Escobar
- Luis Garcia
- Norwith Gudino
- Carlos Hernandez
- Elieser Hernandez
- Darwinzon Hernandez
- Pablo López
- Jesús Luzardo
- Andres Machado
- German Marquez
- Martín Pérez
- José Quijada
- Eduardo Rodriguez
- Jose Ruiz
- Ranger Suárez
- Anthony Vizcaya
- Angel Zerpa
The Venezuelan national team is set to boast a strong rotation, led by former teammates with the Marlins in Pablo López and Jesús Luzardo. Lopez owns one of the league’s best changeups, and has been one of the league’s most consistent starters over the past three seasons. Luzardo broke out with the Marlins last season. as the left-hander struck out 120 over 100.1 innings last season — 53 of which were off an above-average curve. Left-handers Ranger Suárez and Martín Pérez are also set to be starters for Venezuela.
The bullpen is set to be headlined by Nationals reliever Andres Machado and Phillies left-hander José Alvarado. It’s not the deepest bullpen in the WBC, but Venezuela should have enough to stem the tid in the middle and later innings.
Position Players
- Ronald Acuña Jr. (OF)
- Jose Altuve (INF)
- Luis Arraez (INF)
- Miguel Cabrera (INF)
- Robinson Chirinos (C)
- Eduardo Escobar (INF)
- Andrés Giménez (INF)
- Omar Narváez (C)
- David Peralta (OF)
- Salvador Perez (C)
- Luis Rengifo (INF)
- Miguel Rojas (INF)
- Anthony Santander (OF)
- Eugenio Suárez (INF)
- Gleyber Torres (INF)
When we looked at the teams that have the best chance to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Venezuela made the cut. Venezuela’s lineup is deep, and there’s not much debating that. Venezuela can set up a lineup that features Luis Arraez and Jose Altuve — two of the best pure hitters in the league — at the top, alongside superstar Ronald Acuña Jr., Gleyber Torres, and Eugenio Suarez.
The 2023 WBC is also set to be the last one for Miguel Cabrera, who is expected to retire at the end of the season.
With very few — if any — holes on the Venezuelan national team roster, this group should be a favorite to come out of Pool D in Miami.
