Jose Moreno, the manager of the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacifico’s Caneros de Los Mochis, was named the All-Tournament Team manager for the 2023 Caribbean Series. (Photo Courtesy of CBPC).
On Friday, the Confederacion de Beisbol Profesional del Caribe announced the All-Tournament Selection Team for the 2023 Caribbean Series.
Colombia’s Vaqueros De Monteria had five players make the All-Tournament Team: second baseman Francisco Acuna, shortstop Dayan Frias, outfielder Gustavo Campero, starting pitcher Eduar Lopez, and designated hitter Jordan Diaz.
Four out of the five players for Colombia, except Lopez, will suit up for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic next month in Pool C at Chase Field in Phoenix against Canada, United States, Mexico, and Great Britain from March 11-15. Colombia finished in fourth place at the Caribbean Series, losing to Mexico’s Caneros De Los Mochis on Friday 1-0.
The Dominican Republic’s Tigres Del Licey won their 11 championship in the Caribbean Series for their franchise along with 22 titles combined for the nation in the historic tournament.
Eduar Lopez, Starting Pitcher, Colombia (Vaqueros De Monteria) – Lopez started in two games during the Caribbean Series, facing Puerto Rico’s Indios De Mayaguez and the Dominican Republic’s Tigres Del Licey, pitching a combined 12.1 innings in two starts. Lopez allowed eight hits, one earned run, three walks, and struck out six during the 2023 Caribbean Series.
Anthony Vizcaya, Relief Pitcher, Venezuela (Leones Del Caracas) – Vizcaya pitched in six games of the Caribbean Series and did not give up a single run during the tournament., pitching 7.1 innings, allowing four hits, walking four batters and striking out 11. Vizcaya was announced for the Venezuela World Baseball Classic roster.
Jose Felix, Catcher, Mexico (Caneros De Los Mochis) – Felix played in eight games, batting .304 with seven hits and one RBI during his 23 at bats of the tournament. Felix caught 64 innings, with 43 putouts and threw out three-of-five base runners defensively.
Reynaldo Rodriguez, First Baseman, Mexico (Caneros De Los Mochis) – Last year’s Caribbean Series MVP, Rodriguez put up great numbers during this year’s event. Rodriguez batted .200 with an on-base percentage of .382 in the eight team field. Rodriguez had 25 at bats, scoring seven runs, recording five hits, four RBI, eight walks, and one stolen base during the Caribbean Series.
Francisco Acuna, Second Baseman, Colombia (Vaqueros De Monteria) – Acuna batted .364 in 11 at bats and recorded a .462 on base percentage during the Caribbean Series. He had four RBI, recorded four hits, scored five runs, struck out twice and had two stolen bases during the tournament.
Emmanuel Rivera, Third Basemen, Puerto Rico (Indios De Mayaguez) – Rivera will be the starting third basemen for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic next month and will be returning to the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2023 regular season. He had a productive winter ball season outside of the Caribbean Series as well. Rivera played in seven games of the Caribbean Series with 33 at bats, and had 12 hits, four doubles, and three RBI the tournament while batting .364 and helping Puerto Rico go 4-3.
Dayan Frias, Shortstop, Colombia (Vaqueros De Monteria) – Frias during the Caribbean Series had 32 at bats and recorded six hits, one RBI, four walks, and struck out 11 times in the tournament while batting .188. Frias played 82.1 innings defensively, accomplishing 15 put outs, two errors, recording 36 assists and turning two double plays in the tournament.
Danry Vasquez, Left Fielder, Venezuela (Leones Del Caracas) – Vasquez batted .323 in nine games with 31 at bats, recording ten hits, one home run, five RBI, seven walks, and two stolen bases during the Caribbean Series. Vasquez had a .447 on-base percentage, .484 slugging percentage and .931 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) in the tournament.
Emilio Bonifacio, Center Fielder, Dominican Republic (Tigres Del Licey) – Bonifacio helped Tigres Del Licey capture their 11th Caribbean Series title in the organization’s history, batting .359 in 39 at-bats with 14 hits, three doubles, one triple, one home run, five RBI, swiping one stolen base, drawing four walks, and striking out four times during the Caribbean Series.
Gustavo Campero, Right Fielder, Colombia (Vaqueros De Monteria) – Campero batted .361 in the Caribbean Series and swiped five stolen bases in nine games, and recorded a .439 on base percentage and .639 slugging percentage. Campero had 36 at bats with one home run, driving in six runs batted in, recording six hits, drawing four walks and striking out six times during the tournament.
Jordan Diaz, Designated Hitter, Colombia (Vaqueros De Monteria) – Diaz batted .265 in the Caribbean Series. In 34 at bats he recorded nine hits, one home run, nine RBI, five walks, struck out five times, and stole two bases. Diaz had a .375 on base percentage, .441 slugging percentage and .816 OPS during the tournament.
Jose Moreno, Manager, Mexico (Caneros De Los Mochis) – Moreno helped Mexico reached the semifinals from the eight team field of the Caribbean Series, going 5-2 to clinch the No. 1 seed going into the semifinals. Mexico had two signature wins in pool play against Venezuela and the Dominican Republic during the event. Mexico lost to the Dominican Republic in the semifinals 8-3 and placed third in the Caribbean Series, beating Colombia 1-0 during the third-place game.
Next year’s 2024 Caribbean Series will be held at Loan Depot Park in Miami during late January and early February. Uncertainty looms regarding which countries will participate. Cuba, Curacao, Colombia and Panama were the four invitees for this year’s event.
The next winter league season World Baseball Network will keep you updated on the latest news for upcoming participants for the 2024 Caribbean Series.