The Royal Spanish Baseball and Softball Federation (RFEBS) has announced its roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Panama City. They will face France, Panama and Colombia at Rod Carew Stadium from March 17 to 20, hoping to re-qualify for the WBC 2017.
28 players have been invited with five players being affiliated with MLB clubs: Rogelio Arementeros (Houston Astros), Richard Castillo (Colorado Rockies), Lazaro Eliecer Leyva (Baltimore Orioles), Carlos Sierra (Houston Astros) and Luis Guillorme (New York Mets). Additionally Rhiner Cruz of NPB’s Rakuten Golden Eagles has made the team. Former Major League outfield prospect Engel Beltre of the Dominican Tigres del Licey is probably the biggest name on the team.
After the Spain-based worked out over the weekend in Barcelona, they traveled directly to Panama City early this week for a short training camp on site.
Spanish Roster for WBC Qualifier in Panama City:
PITCHERS
- Rogelio Armenteros / MLB – Houston Astros (A)
- Rhiner Cruz / Liga Japonesa – Rakuten Golden Eagles
- Richard Castillo / MLB – Colorado Rockies 2014 (AA)
- Ricardo Hernández / Liga Venezolana – Caribes Anzoategui
- Richard Salazar / Liga Venezolana – Caribes Anzoategui
- Sergio Daniel Pérez / Liga Venezolana – Bravos Margarita
- Lázaro Eliecer Leyva / MLB – Baltimore Orioles (Rookie)
- Leslie Nacar / Liga Española – Marlins de Tenerife
- Antonio Noguera / Liga Italiana – CUS Brescia
- Ivan Granados / Liga Española – Astros de Valencia
- Andrés Pérez / Liga Española – Marlins de Tenerife
- José Cruz / Liga Italiana – Rangers Redipuglia
- Jorge Balboa / Liga Española – CB Barcelona
- Carlos Sierra / MLB – Houston Astros
CATCHERS
- Iker Franco / Liga Mejicana del Pacífico – Yaquis de Obregon
- Blake Ochoa / Liga Española – Astros de Valencia
- Rolando Meriño / Liga Francesa – Templers Senart
INFIELD
- Jesús Golindano / Liga Española – CBS Sant Boi
- Yunesky Sánchez / Liga Mejicana del Pacífico – Venados de Mazatlan
- Jesús Merchan / Liga Japonesa – Giants
- Luis Guillorme / MLB – New York Mets (A)
- Óscar Angulo / Liga Española – Astros de Valencia
- Jesús Ustariz / Liga Venezolana – Leones de Caracas
OUTFIELD
- Óscar Suárez / Liga Independiente Americana – Joplin Blasters
- Daniel Martínez / Liga Española – CBS Sant Boi
- Lesther Galván / Liga Española – Marlins de Tenerife
- Yasser Gómez / Liga Independiente Americana – Joplin Blasters
- Engel Beltre / Liga Dominicana – Tigres del Licey
STAFF
- Manager: Manny Crespo
- Special Advisor: Lebi Ochoa
- Bench Coach: Paco Figueroa
- Coach 1ª Base: Felix Cano
- Coach 3ª Base: Néstor Pérez
- Pitching Coach: Renny Duarte
- Bullpen Coach: Manuel Olivera
- Fisioterapeuta: Steve Meléndez
- Encargado de material: Angel Piva
- Responsable prensa: Jordi Valles
- Delegado del equipo: Juan Carlos Cerdá