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
Dilmer Mejia – 2.08 ERA, 1 TA, 1 GS, 4.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 4 K,
Nicaragua Preliminary 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifier Roster
Pitchers
Kenword Burton
Ernesto Glasgon
Fidencio Flores
Angel Obando
Dilmer Mejia
Ronald Medrano
Carlos Teller
Osman Gutierrez
Leonardo Crawford
Jesus Garrido
Yeris Gonzalez
Juan Ramirez
Bryan Torres
Axel Zapata
Catchers
Rodolfo Bone
Ronald Rivera
Melvin Novoa
Infielders
Benjamin Alegria
Brandon Leyton
Emanuel Trujillo
Freddy Zamora
Cheslor Cuthbert
Elian Miranda
Outfielders
Elian Rayo
Jose Orozco
Omar Mendoza
Cristhian Sandoval
Juan Diego Montes
2025 WBCQ Nicaragua Official Roster Announced On February 12
Pitchers
Kenword Burton
Leonardo Crawford
Fidencio Flores
Jesus Garrido
Ernesto Glasgon
Yeris Gonzalez
Osman Gutierrez
Ronald Medrano
Dilmer Mejia
Angel Obando
Juan Carlos Ramirez
Carlos Teller
Bryan Torres
Axel Zapata
Catchers
Melvin Novoa
Ronald Rivera
Infielders
Benjamin Alegria
Freddvil Chevez
Brandon Leyton
Elian Miranda
Emanuel Trujillo
Outfielders
Omar Mendoza
Juan Diego Montes
Chase Dawson
Cristhian Sandoval
All of the WBC Qualifiers games will be streamed on the official World Baseball Classic website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel until the final out of the second qualifier in Tucson, Ariz., on March 6.
2026 World Baseball Classic Information:
The United States, Italy, Mexico, Great Britain and a Qualifier nation will play at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas from March 6-11 in Pool B.
Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, and a Qualifier nation will play in San Juan, Puerto Rico at Hiram Bithorn Stadium from March 6-11 in Pool A.
Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czech Republic, and a Qualifier nation will play at the Tokyo Dome from March 5-10 in Pool C.
Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, and a Qualifier nation will play at loanDepot Park in Miami in Pool D from March 6-11.
The Quarterfinals of the 2026 WBC will be the Pool A runner-up playing the Pool B winner on March 13 and the Pool B runner-up will play the Pool A winner on March 14 at Daikin Park.
The other side of the Quarterfinals will be on March 13 with the Pool C runner-up playing the Pool D winner and the Pool D runner-up will play the Pool C winner on March 14 at loanDepot Park.
The 2026 WBC semifinals will be on March 15 and on March 16 at loanDepot Park alongside the championship game on March 17.
The 2025 WBC Qualifiers for the 2026 event at the Taipei Dome in Taipei, Taiwan from February 21-25.
Nicaragua, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, and Spain will play at the Taipei Dome in the first 2025 WBC Qualifiers.
2025 WBC Qualifiers Schedule – Taipei Dome
All Game Start Times Are Listed Eastern Standard Time
February 21, 2025
South Africa vs. Nicaragua – 11 p.m. EST – February 20
Spain vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. EST
February 22, 2025
Spain vs. Nicaragua – 11 p.m. EST – February 21
Chinese Taipei vs. South Africa – 6 a.m. EST
February 23, 2025
South Africa vs. Spain – 11 p.m. EST – February 22
Nicaragua vs. Chinese Taipei – 6 a.m. EST
February 24, 2025 – Qualifier Game
2nd Place Team vs. 3rd Place Team – 6 a.m. EST
The other 2025 WBC Qualifiers venue will be played at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz. from March 2-6.
China, Brazil, Germany, and Colombia will play in the second 2025 WBC Qualifiers at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
2025 WBC Qualifiers Schedule – Veterans Memorial Stadium
All Game Start Times Are Listed Eastern Standard Time
March 2, 2025
China vs. Germany – 1 p.m. EST
Brazil vs. Colombia – 8 p.m. EST
March 3, 2025
Brazil vs. Germany – 1 p.m. EST
Colombia vs. China – 8 p.m. EST
March 4, 2025
China vs. Brazil – 1 p.m. EST
Germany vs. Colombia – 8 p.m. EST
March 5, 2025 – Qualifier Game
2nd Place Team vs. 3rd Place Team – 8 p.m. EST
