The Panamanian Baseball Federation has announced the coaching staff that will lead the national team at the 2025 Copa América de Béisbol, which will be held from Nov. 12-22 in Panama and Venezuela.
The staff will closely resemble the group already selected for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. José Mayorga, who is set to manage Panama at the WBC, will also guide the team through the upcoming continental tournament.
Julio Mosquera, who spent a brief time in Major League Baseball, will serve as bench coach. Former MLB catcher Einar Díaz will take on hitting coach duties, while Wilfrido Córdoba will oversee the pitching staff. Rounding out the staff are Raúl Domínguez, a former New York Yankees minor leaguer, as first base coach, and former minor leaguer Luis Caballero as third base coach.
Panama will host Group B of the Copa América at Estadio Mariano Rivera in La Chorrera, a venue that recently hosted the U-23 Pan American Championship, where Panama captured its first-ever gold medal in the event. Group B games are scheduled from Nov. 13-17, followed by the Super Round from Nov. 19-21. The stadium will also stage the bronze and gold medal games on Nov. 22.
The tournament will serve as a qualifier, awarding five spots for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and four spots for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
As co-hosts, Panama is expected to field one of the strongest rosters in the competition. Former MLB catcher Christian Bethancourt and pitcher Jaime Barría have both expressed interest in playing for the national team.
Panama will open its schedule on Nov. 13 against Canada in Group B, which also includes Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Puerto Rico.
Photo: Jose Mayorga, the manager of Federales de Chiriquí of Panama, reacts in the third inning, during a semi final game between Dominican Republic and Panama at loanDepot park as part of Serie del Caribe 2024 on Feb. 8, 2024 in Miami, Florida. Mayorga will manage Panama at the 2025 Copa America de Beisbol and at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. (Photo by Luis Gutierrez /Norte Photo/Getty Images)
