Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic roster: Edwin Díaz, Francisco Lindor headline 2023 WBC team
Puerto Rico may not be among the Tier A favorites at this year’s World Baseball Classics, but there’s plenty of optimism for the two-time runner-up.
With Yadier Molina leading management after retiring from the Cardinals last season, there’s a lot of knowledge on the Puerto Rico bench. One fun thing about this roster is its “Team of the Future” vibe, with 12 of its players currently playing in MiLB pipelines.
The headliner for Puerto Rico is Edwin Díaz, who plays with his brother Alexis Díaz of the Cincinnati Reds. Edwin became one of baseball’s preeminent closers last year, and his walk-out song Narco made his performances a must-see on TV.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Tigers shortstop Javier Báez are also on the list, not to mention Christian Vásquez, the Twins’ new catcher, and Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos.
Puerto Rico plays in a crowded Pool D alongside players like the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, so the competition will be tough early and often. However, it is as talented as almost any other team in this tournament, and a number of MLB teams feature on its roster.
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2023 Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic roster
Of Puerto Rico’s 30-man roster, 16 are pitchers. There will be three catchers, leaving only 11 spots for outfielders and infielders.
Puerto Rico doesn’t have as many utility players as other teams with MLB representation, but its middle field will be among the best in the WBC. Báez moves up to second to accommodate Lindor in the short term, while Red Sox prospect Edwin Díaz (not that Edwin Díaz) will sit in third. Kiké Hernández, also representing the Red Sox, will play in midfield.
pitchers
| player | team | throws |
| Jose Berrios | Toronto Blue Jays | R |
| Fernando Cruz | Cincinnati Red | R |
| Jose De Leon | Minnesota twins | R |
| Alexis Diaz | Cincinnati Red | R |
| Edwin Diaz | New York Mets | R |
| Dominik Hamelin | New York Mets | R |
| George Lopez | Minnesota twins | R |
| Antony Maldonado | Miami Marlin | R |
| Jovani Moran | Minnesota twins | L |
| Nicholas Padilla | Chicago White Sox | R |
| Emilio Pagan | Minnesota twins | R |
| Yacksel Rios | Atlanta Braves | R |
| Derek Rodriguez | Minnesota twins | R |
| Hector Santiago | Giants de Carolina | L |
| Markus Stroman | Chicago Cubs | R |
| Duane Underwood Jr. | Pittsburgh Pirates | R |
catcher
| player | team | punches/throws |
| Martin Maldonado | Houston Astros | r/r |
| MJ Melendez | Kansas City Royals | L/R |
| Christian Vasquez | Minnesota twins | r/r |
infielder
| player | team | position | punches/throws |
| Javier Baez | Detroit Tigers | 2B/SS | r/r |
| Edwin Diaz | Boston Red Sox | 3B | r/r |
| Francisco Lindor | New York Mets | ss | S/R |
| Vimael Machin | Philadelphia Phillies | 3B | L/R |
| Jose Miranda | Minnesota twins | 1B | r/r |
| Emmanuel Rivera | Arizona Diamondbacks | 3B | r/r |
| Neftali Soto | Yokohama DeNA Baystars | 1B | r/r |
outfield player
| player | team | position | punches/throws |
| Enrique Hernandez | Boston Red Sox | CF | r/r |
| Henry Ramos | Cincinnati Red | FROM | S/R |
| Eddie Rosario | Atlanta Braves | LF | L/R |
| Nelson Velazquez | Chicago Cubs | FROM | r/r |
Puerto Rican players to see
There are many obvious players to look out for in Team Puerto Rico. Edwin Díaz was the breakout star of 2022, Báez has been an MLB staple and Lindor is already one of the biggest names in the sport.
MLB talent aside, however, what’s exciting about Puerto Rico isn’t just today’s stars. They are the players of tomorrow. Puerto Rico has many players in the MiLB pipeline, including third baseman Edwin Díaz for the Red Sox, Vimael Machin for the Phillies, and Dereck Rodríguez for the Twins.
Other players on the MLB rosters include Enrique “Kiké” Hernández, Emilio Pagán and José Miranda, not to mention All-Star Jorge López. If you’re a Twins fan this is the team for you, with new signing Christian Vásquez also behind the plate.
MORE: World Baseball Classic 2023: MLB team-by-team breakdown
Who coaches Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic?
MLB fans will know the man behind Team Puerto Rico well. Yadier Molina, who just retired after 19 seasons with the Cardinals, will be in the Puerto Rico dugout for the World Baseball Classic.
It’s a natural transition for Molina, who has always been praised for his wits as much as his athleticism.
Molina played for Puerto Rico in the first four iterations of the World Baseball Classic, so he’s intimately familiar with the format. Molina will look to lead Puerto Rico to its first win after finishing second in the last two Classics.
Victor Rodríguez will be the batting coach while Juan Gonzalez will be an assistant batting coach. Phenomenal Ricky Bones is the pitching coach, and Jose Molina and Luis Rivera will be the first and third base coaches, respectively. Jose Rosado is the bullpen coach and Alex Cintron – hitting coach for the Astros – will serve as the bench coach.
History of the Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic
No stranger to the World Baseball Classic, Puerto Rico is not used to success.
Puerto Rico finished runners-up in both 2013 and 2017, losing in the finals to the Dominican Republic in 2013 and the United States in 2017.
Puerto Rico made it to the second round of the first two Classics, finishing fifth in each.
| Year | Result | endgame |
| 2006 | Eliminated in the second round | 4-3 defeat against Cuba |
| 2009 | Eliminated in the second round | 6-5 loss to the United States |
| 2013 | runner up | 0-3 defeat against the Dominican Republic |
| 2017 | runner up | 8-0 loss to the United States |
| 2023 | open | open |
Schedule of the Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic 2023
Puerto Rico will be in Pool D alongside the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Israel.
The World Baseball Classic kicks off March 11 in Pool D against Nicaragua.
Pool play ends on March 15 against the Dominican Republic in what could become a high-stakes game.
Puerto Rico will play in all pools at LoanDepot Park in Miami. It has to be 1st or 2nd to advance to the Quarterfinals.
| Date | Game | time (ET) | channel |
| March 11 | Nicaragua vs Puerto Rico | 12 o’clock | FS2 |
| March 12th | Venezuela versus Puerto Rico | 19 o’clock | FS1 |
| March 13th | Israel vs Puerto Rico | 19 o’clock | FS1 |
| March, 15 | Puerto Rico vs Dominican Republic | 19 o’clock | FS2 |