Puerto Rico Baseball Federation is a mess. Molina has zero managerial experience…
Updated…
Team USA
Andy Pettitte, pitching coach
Kyle Tucker
Venezuela
Omar Lopez, manager
Jose Altuve
Puerto Rico
Joe Espada, coach on 2013/2017 squads with 2023 role (if any) TBD
Dominican Republic
Rodney Linares, manager (former manager w/CC Hooks)
Italy
Trey Mancini
Spain
Rogelio Armenteros, Cuban pitcher who saw action with the Astros in 2019
In WBC qualifiers in Germany, Great Britain and the Czech Republic advance to the tourney next March. Spain had been one of the favorites (because of a number of Cuban and other Latin American players on the team) but losses to Great Britain and an underdog Czech squad today prevented them from advancing. 14 of the 16 teams for next March are now set.
Final qualifiers are in Panama in 10 days where the final 2 teams will be determined. Panama and Brazil are probably the favorites there.
(graphic not updated to reflect Great Britain and the Czech Republic)
A member of the starting rotation signed on today…
Team USA
Andy Pettitte, pitching coach
Kyle Tucker
Venezuela
Omar Lopez, manager
Jose Altuve
Puerto Rico
Kiké Hernández
Joe Espada, coach on 2013/2017 squads with 2023 role (if any) TBD
Dominican Republic
Rodney Linares, manager (former manager w/CC Hooks)
Italy
Trey Mancini
Mexico
Jose Urquidy
And Panama and Nicaragua won at the recent qualifier to complete the 16-country field.
I thought I saw Marwin was in there somewhere but maybe I was mistaken.
Chron reporting today a bullpen addition to Team USA…
Team USA
Andy Pettitte, pitching coach
Kyle Tucker
Ryan Pressly
Venezuela
Omar Lopez, manager
Jose Altuve
Puerto Rico
Kiké Hernández
Joe Espada, coach on 2013/2017 squads with 2023 role (if any) TBD
Dominican Republic
Rodney Linares, manager (former manager w/CC Hooks)
Italy
Trey Mancini
Mexico
Jose Urquidy
I’m surprised Framber and Javier aren’t on the team.
There has been some talk that Framber will join the DR squad.
Not sure I’ve seen anything yet on Javier.
It’s a cool event but I guess I’m selfish. I’d be fine if none of our pitchers participated.
Yes, you are.
I know and that’s why I said it. I will enjoy watching and keep fingers crossed. Have actually thought about trying to get tickets.
Not completely certain of the accuracy but there is Dominican roster out there chock full of Astros and former Astros…
Team USA
Andy Pettitte, pitching coach
Kyle Tucker
Ryan Pressly
Venezuela
Omar Lopez, manager
Jose Altuve
Puerto Rico
Kiké Hernández
Joe Espada, coach on 2013/2017 squads with 2023 role (if any) TBD
Dominican Republic
Rodney Linares, manager (former manager w/CC Hooks)
Framber Valdez
Cristian Javier
Bryan Abreu
Rafael Montero
Jeremy Pena
Yimi Garcia
Teoscar Hernandez
Italy
Trey Mancini
Mexico
Jose Urquidy
Updated…current and former Astros on preliminary WBC rosters:
Team USA
Andy Pettitte, pitching coach
Kyle Tucker
Ryan Pressly
Venezuela
Omar Lopez, manager
Jose Altuve
Puerto Rico
Martin Maldonado
Christian Vazquez
Kiké Hernández
Dominican Republic
Rodney Linares, manager (former manager w/CC Hooks)
Framber Valdez
Cristian Javier
Bryan Abreu
Rafael Montero
Hector Neris
Jeremy Pena
Yimi Garcia
Teoscar Hernandez
Jose Siri
Italy
Trey Mancini
Max Stassi
Mexico
Jose Urquidy
Patrick Sandoval
Roberto Osuna
Netherlands
Derek West
Canada
Abraham Toro
Preliminary rosters contain as many as 50 names so it’s likely more than a few of these guys won’t make the final 30-man roster.
I want DR to do well for Linares sake. He has paid his dues managing at every level of the Astros org up to AA and has been a 3rd base coach for the Rays for a number of years. I would love to see him get a manger job or at least bench coach gig.
The Rays promoted him to bench coach in November after Matt Quatraro was named manager of the Royals.
Good for him! Thanks for watching things closer than I am able to now.
So Alex Cintron succeeds Joe Espada as bench coach for the PR squad…
Are all Jose’s nicknamed “Cheo”?
Are many Roberts nicknamed Bob?
Same kind of deal.
You could have chosen James as your example.
Doesn’t sound like he’ll participate. Final roster comes out today I believe…
