Former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder Robert Perez will manage Venezuela at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2024. The 55-year-old coach selected a 24-man roster with a fair amount of experience in professional baseball.
Seven pitchers on the roster have Minor League Baseball (MiLB) experience, including right-hander Carlos Campos, who played in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and reached the Class A Advanced level. Right-hander Wilker Palma spent two seasons in the Texas Rangers organization and appeared in seven games for the Magallanes Navegantes during the last edition of the Venezuelan Professional Winter League (LVBP). After spending two years in the San Diego Padres organization, right-hander Adrian Luna appeared in 11 games out of the bullpen for Margarita in the LVBP. Right-handers José Guzman and Juan Romero also have already debuted in the LVBP
Eight position players have MiLB experience. Shortstop Brainer Bonaci played 297 games for the Boston Red Sox from 2019 to 2023, including 16 at Double-A.
Daniel Castillo, another middle infielder, played 145 minor league games from 2018 to 2021 for the Milwaukee Brewers, including four at Double-A.
Infielder Pedro Martinez has appeared in 282 minor league games for the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, including 53 at Double-A.
Outfielder Cesar Idrogo has played 191 minor league games for the Cleveland Indians from 2019 to 2023, including 20 at Double-A.
Infielder Lewis Castillo. who has spent four seasons in the New York Mets organization, is the son of the late José Castillo, a former MLB and NPB infielder.
Perez served as the first-base coach and hitting coach of the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup 2020 champion winning Venezuela team. His coaching staff includes pitching coach Erick Perez, who returned from the 2022 coaching staff, and assistant coaches Nestor Smith and Ernesto Leon.
World No. 6 Venezuela will compete in Group B and face No. 4 Korea, No. 5 Chinese Taipei, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 20 Nicaragua and No. 34 South Africa.
Group A will include No. 1 Japan, No. 11 Australia, No. 12 Puerto Rico, No. 13 Colombia, No. 18 Great Britain and No. 24 China.
