Photo: Getty Images
Curacao will participate in the Caribbean Series for the second consecutive year at 2024’s seven-team event.
The island nation went 2-5 in their first appearance of the tournament at the 2023 Caribbean Series in Caracas, Venezuela, and finished in seventh place at the eight-team event.
Curacao did not have a winter league season during 2022-23.
The 2023 Caribbean Series, which had eight teams, was the first time that the event was hosted in two stadiums: the Estadio Fórum La Guaira in Macuto, La Guaira, Venezuela, and Estadio Monumental de Caracas Simón Bolívar in Caracas, Venezuela.
The Curacao Suns beat the Willemstad Cannons in the Curacao Professional Baseball league’s championship game 6-5 with a a game-winning double in the bottom of the seventh by Suns pinch hitter Shakir Albert. The Curacao Professional Baseball league played seven inning games during its first season of operation and will operate as a full-season league next year, rather than a one-week showcase.
The Curacao Suns will represent the island at the 2024 Caribbean Series.
In 2023, the Curacao Professional Baseball league just ran one week from Dec. 3-10 during its first year of operation. The Federashon Di Beisbol Di Korsou operates the Curacao Professional Baseball league.
Hainley Statia will manage the Curacao Suns in the 2024 Caribbean Series.
Jedrek Magdalena is the president of the Federashon Di Beisbol Di Korsou.
The Curacao Suns roster for the 2024 Caribbean Series was built with players who have played in the lower levels of the U.S. minor leagues, professional free agents, players that have played in the 2023 Curacao Professional Baseball league season, and other international professional leagues.
Former MLB players Andrelton Simmons, Didi Gregorious, Roger Bernadina, Wladimir Balentien and current MLB free agent Jonathan Schoop will be on the Curacao Suns roster for the 2024 Caribbean Series.
Curacao Suns infielder Dudley Leonora will have a huge impact for the offense of Curacao at the 2024 Caribbean Series. Leonora batted .412 in five games in the short 2023 season with 17 at-bats and seven hits, one home run, two RBI, three walks, and one strikeout.
Curacao Suns pitcher Anthony Herrera did not give up a run in two appearances out of the bullpen during the 2023 season, throwing three innings and posting a 1-0 record, allowing one hit and two strikeouts. He could have an impact for their pitching staff at the 2024 Caribbean Series.
Curacao Suns pitcher Scott Prins threw 10.2 innings in two starts, posting a 1-0 record with a 3.28 ERA and allowing 11 hits, three doubles, two home runs, five earned runs, one walk, and 10 strikeouts during the 2024 season. Prins could have a swingman role out of the bullpen or could start during any of the pool round games for Curacao at the tournament.
Curacao will play the 2023-24 Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico champion Naranjeros de Hermosillo on Feb. 1 during their first game at the 2024 Caribbean Series at loanDepot Park at 3:30 p.m. EST and the game will be televised on ESPN Deportes.
The Caribbean Series is covered under the Winter League Agreement between the CBPC and Major League Baseball, which sets the eligibility process for players to play in the event.
Curacao 2024 Caribbean Series Schedule
All Games At loanDepot Park, Miami, Florida.
All times Eastern Standard Time.
Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024
3:30 p.m. – Curacao vs. Mexico
Friday, Feb. 2, 2024
10:30 a.m. – Panama vs. Curacao
Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024
10:30 a.m. – Venezuela vs. Curacao
Monday, Feb. 5, 2024
10:30 a.m. – Nicaragua vs. Curacao
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024
3:30 p.m. – Curacao vs. Dominican Republic
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024
10:30 a.m. – Curacao vs. Puerto Rico
Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024
3 p.m. – Semifinal No. 1
8 p.m. – Semifinal No. 2
Friday, Feb. 9, 2024
3 p.m. – Third-place Game
8 p.m. – Championship Game
