Panama’s rich baseball history will be on full display during the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Several former Major Leaguers, as well as some current ones, will suit for the country this coming March. Among the notables are former MLB pitchers Ariel Jurado and Paolo Espino, plus current MLB players Edmundo Sosa and Jose Caballero.

Pitchers

• RHP Dario Agrazal
• LHP Logan Allen (Guardians)
• LHP Alberto Baldonado
• RHP Jaime Barria
• LHP Miguel Cienfuegos (Padres)
• RHP Paolo Espino
• RHP Jorge Garcia
• RHP Miguel Gomez
• LHP James Gonzalez
• RHP Javy Guerra
• LHP Kenny Hernandez
• RHP Ariel Jurado
• RHP Humberto Mejia
• RHP Abdiel Mendoza (Mariners)
• LHP Andy Otero
• RHP Erian Rodriguez (Cubs)

Perhaps the headliner among the Panama pitching staff is American-born lefty Logan Allen (not to be confused with the other Logan Allen, who will pitch for Team Canada). Allen has worked in the Guardians’ rotation for parts of the last three seasons.

Last season, Allen won eight games and posted a 4.25 ERA for Cleveland across 156.2 innings.

As for the former Major Leaguers, there are several of them on Panama’s roster.

Dario Agrazal was once a former high-end prospect in the Pirates system and spent one season in the Majors (2019). Alberto Baldonado was a longtime Mets farmhand who spent part of the 201 season with the Nationals.

Jaime Barria, Paolo Espino, and Javy Guerra all have significant MLB experience. Barria spent six seasons in the Majors, all with the Los Angeles Angels. Espino, now 39 years old, was an innings-eater for the Nationals during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Guerra spent five seasons in the Majors, split between the Rays, Brewers, and Padres.

Ariel Jurado, formerly of the Texas Rangers, is still pitching at a high level. Jurado spent the last three seasons in Korea. This past year with Samsung, Jurado posted a 2.60 ERA and struck out 142 over 197 innings.

Panama’s pitching staff also includes plenty of former Minor League pitching prospects, including Jorge Garcia, Miguel Gomez, and Humberto Mejia.

Catchers

• C Miguel Amaya (Cubs)
• C Leonardo Bernal (Cardinals)
• C Christian Bethancourt (Cubs)

Panama’s catching core includes two impact players, Miguel Amaya and Leonardo Bernal, plus longtime Major Leaguer Christian Bethancourt.

Amaya only played 28 games last season, as the Cubs catcher dealt with injuries and also had to contend with a logjam behind the plate last season. But when given the chance to play, Amaya did well. He slashed .281/.314/.500 with four home runs and 13 extra-base hits.

Bernal is part of a deep catching depth chart in the Cardinals’ farm system. The switch-hitting catcher, who picked up 32 extra-base hits with Double-A Springfield last season, is one of the Cardinals’ best prospects.

Bethancourt, on a Minor League deal with the Cubs, spent parts of eight seasons in the Majors. He played 58 games with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons last season.

Infielders

• MI Jonathan Arauz
• INF Jose Caballero (Yankees)
• INF Johan Camargo
• INF Leo Jimenez (Blue Jays)
• INF Edmundo Sosa (Phillies)
• INF Ruben Tejada

Even though Team Panama may not have a true first baseman, the country does have a lot of versatility among the infield group.

Edmundo Sosa has played almost everywhere as a Philadelphia Phillie. Sosa accumulated significant time at second, third, shortstop, plus the occasional start in left and/or center field. He’s also coming off a great season, as Sosa hit 11 home runs and 24 extra-base hits over 89 contests.

Jose Caballero is a good on-base threat and was the MLB stolen base king last season. Between his time with the Rays and Yankees, Caballero stole 49 bases.

Leo Jimenez spent parts of the last two seasons with the Blue Jays. The 24-year-old is a career .207/303/.332 hitter.

Former Major Leaguers Johan Camargo and Ruben Tejada, along with former Phillies prospect Jonathan Arauz, round out the infield core.

Outfielders

• CF Enrique Bradfield Jr. (Orioles)
• OF Luis Castillo
• OF Allen Cordoba
• OF Jose Ramos (Mets)
• OF Jhonny Santos

Orioles prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. is one of the more notable prospects in this year’s WBC. A plus-plus runner, Bradfield Jr. was the Orioles’ first-round pick in 2023 out of Vanderbilt University.

Bradfield Jr. is a non-roster invite for the O’s this spring.

Allen Cordoba, who’s coming off a strong year in the Mexican Winter League, will also be part of the Panama outfield core. Cordoba was a former Rule 5 Draft pick by the Padres who spent one season in the Majors.

Panama’s roster also includes current Mets farmhand Jose Ramos and former Marlins prospect Jhonny Santos.

Check out more of our MLB coverage, including a look at Team Nicaragua.