By Matthew Tallarini
World Baseball Network
Federacion Venezolana de Beisbol on Thursday announced their roster for the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador.
The baseball tournament at the Central American and Caribbean games will be played at Parque De Pelota Saturnino Bengoa from June 24 to July 1. Venezuela’s first game will be against No. 11 Puerto Rico at 3 p.m. EDT. All games during the baseball event of the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games will be streamed on the Beisbol Americas WBSC YouTube page and the Gametime.sport website.
The other six countries participating in the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games are world No. 7 Cuba, No. 3 Mexico, No. 10 Dominican Republic, No. 17 Nicaragua, the host nation, 59th ranked El Salvador, and No. 32 Curacao.
Venezuela is No. 6 in the World Baseball Rankings and has not medaled in a World Baseball Softball Confederation senior event since the 2009 World Baseball Classic, when they lost to South Korea 10-2 at Dodger Stadium, earning third place.
The last time Venezuela medaled at the Central American and Caribbean Games was at the 2006 tournament in Cartagena, Colombia, where they shared the bronze medal with Mexico.
Venezuela will carry all players from their Liga Mayor de Beisbol Profesional, current professional free agents that have had experience playing in independent leagues in the United States and at the lower affiliate level with Major League Baseball organizations.
The top three nations in the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games will qualify for the 2023 Pan American Games.
The baseball portion of the 2023 Pan American Games will be from October 21-27 at the Baseball and Softball Center in Cerrillos, Chile. Three nations have already qualified for the 2023 Pan American Games: Chile, as the host nation; Colombia, for placing first in the 2021 Junior Pan American Games; and Brazil, for placing first in the 2022 South American Championships.
Venezuela has not participated in the Pan American Games since the 2011 tournament in Lagos de Moreno, Mexico, where they went 1-2 in Group with their only win coming against Puerto Rico.
The coaching staff for Venezuela is built with coaches from the Liga Mayor de Beisbol Profesional and the Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional winter league along with having Major League Baseball coaching experience.
Venezuela 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games Roster
*CFA – Current Free Agent
Pitchers (Team)
Dannys Hernández (CFA)
Óscar Abreu (CFA)
José Martínez (Marineros)
Eduardo Paredes (Senadores)
Sebastián Perrone (Guerreros)
Wilder Rodríguez (Samanes)
Brayan Salaya (CFA)
Carlos Valero (Líderes)
Iván Andueza (Caciques)
Carlos Chourio (Marineros)
Sonny Vargas (Senadores)
Ángel León (CFA)
Catchers (Team)
Alex Monsalve (Samanes)
José Ortega (Marineros)
Yoandy Rea (Marineros)
Infielders (Team)
Derwin Barreto (Marineros)
Michael Chirinos (Delfines)
Junnel Ledezma (CFA)
Outfielders (Team)
Juan Infante (Marineros)
Anderson Meléndez (Centauros)
César Ortega (Caciques)
Jonel Pacheco (CFA)
Wuilman Velásquez (Centauros)
2023 Central American and Caribbean Games Coaching Staff
Clemente Alvarez – Manager/Third Base Coach
Jose Villa – Pitching Coach
Jesus Alvarez – First Base Coach