By Conor Ligouri
World Baseball Network
Curacao has released the full 29-man roster for the 2023 Caribbean Series in Venezuela. The roster features 14 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders, four outfielders, and three utility players. The roster is made up of the national team from the Curacao Baseball Federation. This is the first time Curacao will participate in the series.
Curacao will play their first game of the tournament on Thursday, February 2 at 10:30 a.m against Cuba, who returns to the series after a three-year absence. The game will be played at La Rinconada stadium in Caracas, Venezuela.
There are plenty of recognizable MLB names on team Curacao. Starting in the infield, defensive wizard Andrelton Simmons will play shortstop. Simmons has won four Gold Gloves at the position to go along with 1,169 career hits.
Detroit Tigers second basemen Jonathan Schoop will also join the team. Schoop has played for four MLB teams across 10 years, and has maintained steady power numbers throughout his career, averaging 25 home runs for a 162 game season.
In the outfield, former Texas Rangers top prospect and current free agent Jurickson Profar will play left field. Profar hit 15 home runs to go with a .723 OPS last year with the San Diego Padres.
Below is the full 29 man roster for team Curacao.
Pitchers (Team)
Shairon Martis – L&D Amsterdam Pirates (DUTM)
Jair Jurrjens – Tigres de Aragua (VEWL)
Kevin Kelly – Tampa Bay Rays
Nelmerson Angela – L&D Amsterdam Pirates (DUTM)
Wendell Floranus – Gigantes del Cibao (DOWL)
Franklin Van Gurp – Estrellas de Oriente (DOWL)
Temesh Lourens – Quick Amersfoort (DUTM)
Jordan Lucas – Santa Rosa Indians
Cody Mincey – Miami Marlins (MiLB)
Cerillio Soleana – Royal Scorpions
Juancarlos Sulbaran – Curacao Neptunus (DUTM)
Ryan Huntington – Curacao Neptunus (DUTM)
Nestor Molina – Cardenales de Lara (VEWL)
Edgar Garcia – Estrellas de Oriente (DOWL)
Catchers (Team)
Sicnarf Loopstok – L&D Amsterdam Pirates (DUTM)
Dashenko Ricardo – Curacao Neptunus (DUTM)
Infielders (Team)
Andrelton Simmons – Free Agent
Jonathan Schoop – Detroit Tigers
Darren Seferina – Winnipeg Goldeyes (American Association)
Dudley Leonora – San Marino (ITSA)
Raywendley van Gurp – Unipolsai Fortitudo (ITSA)
Sharlon Schoop – L&D Amsterdam Pirates (DUTM)
Outfielders (Team)
Jurickson Profar – MLB Free Agent
Roger Bernadina – Curacao Neptunus (DUTM)
Aldrich de Jongh – Los Angeles Dodgers (MiLB)
Edmond Americaan – MLB Free Agent
Utility (Team)
Juremi Profar – Bravos de León (MEX)
Ray Patrick Didder – Miami Marlins
Wladimir Balentien – Gigantes del Cibao (LIDOM)