The Federación Nicaragüense de Béisbol Asociada (FENIBA) announced its roster for the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, where Nicaragua will compete against host nation Chinese Taipei, Spain, and South Africa from February 21-25 at the Taipei Dome in Taipei, Taiwan.
Nicaragua is ranked No. 16 in the World Baseball Rankings, published by the World Baseball Softball Confederation. Chinese Taipei holds the No. 2 ranking, Spain is ranked No. 24, and South Africa is at No. 31.
Nicaragua’s official roster includes players with experience in Major League Baseball-affiliated minor leagues, international professional leagues, the Campeonato Germán Pomares Ordóñez, and the 2024-25 Liga de Béisbol Profesional Nacional regular season.
FENIBA submitted its final roster to WBC Inc. officials on February 3, confirming the players for Nicaragua’s 2025 WBC Qualifiers.
Nicaragua's roster for the 2025 #WorldBaseballClassic Qualifiers: pic.twitter.com/yHyTPTR9xj
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 3, 2025
On February 12, the Selección de Nicaragua X page confirmed the official roster for the 2025 WBCQ.
????????⚾ ¡Rumbo al Preclásico Mundial!
La espera ha terminado. Con orgullo presentamos la lista de guerreros que representarán a Nicaragua en el Preclásico Mundial de Béisbol. ????⚾???????? pic.twitter.com/EQjdqlQVZj
— Selección de Nicaragua (@selebeisbolnic) February 12, 2025
Nicaragua manager Sandor Guido built his scouting assessment during the 2025 Serie de las Américas tournament, which was held on home soil. The host nation’s club team, the 2024-25 Liga de Béisbol Profesional Nacional champion Leones de León, reached the championship game but fell 3-1 to the 2024-25 Probeis Panama champion Águilas Metropolitanas.
All stats for the 2025 Serie de las Américas are available on the official FENIBA page at WBSC’s website.
The 2025 WBCQ Nicaragua coaching staff will have bench coach Julio Sanchez, pitching coach Lenin Picota, bullpen coach Cairo Murillo, third base coach Dorian Garcia, and first base coach Anibal Vega under Guido.
Fernando Rayo of TN8 Nicaragua reported on February 12 that Fredvil Chévez has been added to Nicaragua’s roster for the 2025 WBCQ.
OF Chase Dawson along with Fredvil Chévez have been added to Nicaragua ???????? roster for the WBC Qualifier.
Dawson, who was born in USA, never played above NCAA baseball (never sign for a MLB organization) but he got the nicaraguan residence after two hot seasons at Nicaragua… pic.twitter.com/yABfroe58A
— Fernando Rayo (@Rayo2Fer) February 13, 2025
Nicaragua Prepares with Four Exhibition Games
Nicaragua will play four exhibition games against Japanese industrial and independent league teams before opening the 2025 WBCQ on February 21 against Chinese Taipei at 6 a.m. EST at the Taipei Dome.
All of Nicaragua’s exhibition games will take place at Sun Marine Stadium in Miyazaki, Japan.
Feb. 13 vs. JR West – 10:30 p.m. EST
Feb. 14 vs. Miyazaki Sunshines – 10:30 p.m. EST
Feb. 15 vs. Nissan Kyushu – 11:00 p.m. EST
Feb. 17 vs. Tokyo Gas – 10:30 p.m. EST
Nicaragua’s World Baseball Classic Qualifying History
Nicaragua made its first World Baseball Classic appearance in 2023, losing all four games in Pool D at loanDepot Park in Miami. The team finished last at 0-4, behind Israel (1-3), with losses to Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic.
Nicaragua qualified for its first World Baseball Classic on October 5, 2022, defeating Brazil at Estadio Rod Carew in Panama City, Panama.
Nicaragua did not qualify for the 2017 WBC, finishing 2-2 in Qualifier 2. The team defeated Germany twice but suffered two blowout losses to Mexico in two blowouts, including a 12-1 loss in the final qualifier at El Nido de los Águilas in Mexicali, Baja California, on March 20, 2016.
In the first qualifying event for the 2013 WBC, Nicaragua went 0-2 in Qualifier 3 at Estadio Rod Carew and lost to Colombia 8-1 on November 16, 2012 and Panama 6-2 on November 17, 2012.
Several notable players from Nicaragua’s 2023 WBC official roster are expected to play crucial roles Taiwan, including Melvin Novoa, J.C. Ramirez, Melvin Novoa, Cheslor Cuthbert, Elian Miranda, J.D. Montes and Benjamin Algeria as the main pieces. Check out the roster details and stats from the 2023 tournament.
The official World Baseball Classic roster for Nicaragua is also located on MLB.com.
Players To Watch Out From 2025 SDLA:
TA – Total Appearances
Emanuel Trujillo – .429/1.190/500, 6 TA, 5 GS, 21 AB, 8 R, 9 H, 2 2B, 1 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB 3 BB, 6 K
Brandon Leyton – .333/.700/1.075, 7 TA, 7 GS, 30 AB, 6 R, 10 H, 5 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K
Angel Obando – 0.00 ERA, 4 TA, 1 SV, 3.2 IP, 1 BB, 4 K