Eight players with MLB experience highlight Dominican Republic roster for WBSC Premier12
World No. 12 Dominican Republic announced their 28-player roster for the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS. Manager César Martin and General Manager Henry Gonzalez picked only active professional players, eight with Major League Baseball (MLB) experience.
"The selection process was complicated, like many things in life, particularly when baseball is involved," commented Martin. "We aimed at selecting the best team possible and needed to invite enough players to compete for a spot on the final roster. Our players' pool is wide, so the process involved the whole staff."
Veterans Willy Peralta and Diego Castillo highlight a pitching staff that, according to Martin, will be the team's strength. They both played over 250 MLB games. Castillo appeared in seven games in 2024. Joelys Rodriguez has 182 MLB games under his belt and pitched in 14 out of the bullpen for the 2024 Boston Red Sox. Franklyn Kilome had a four-game MLB stint in 2020 and has been a reliable Minor League Baseball (MiLB) starter for most of his career.
Robert Corniel, who played for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), Hector Perez, a reliever for the UniPresident Lions of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) and Jorge Juan (a Double-A reliever for the Atlanta Braves) stand out in the bullpen.
Third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez, switch-hitting middle infielder Alen Hanson, and utility Arismendy Alcantara also have extensive MLB experience. Shortstop José Devers appeared in three games for the Miami Marlins in 2024.
First baseman Rainer Nunez hit 12 home runs at Double-A for the Atlanta Braves. Corner infielder Andretty Cordero hit 16 homers for Aguascalientes in the Mexican Baseball League (LMB). Outfielder Pedro Gonzalez enjoyed a 29-home run season for Lexington of the independent Atlantic League.
Full roster:
PITCHERS (13) Wilber Perez, Luis Vargas, Robert Corniel, Hector Perez, Jorge Juan, Diego Castillo, Wily Peralta, Gerald Ogando, Franklyn Kilomé, Joelys Rodriguez, Dionys Rodriguez, Victor Lopez, Henry Henry.
CATCHERS (3) Frank Rodriguez, Daneurys De La Cruz, Randy Florentino.
INFIELDERS (7) Rainer Nunez, Michael De Leon, Kelvin Gutierrez, José Devers, Alen Hanson, Arismendy Alcantara, Andretty Cordero.
OUTFIELDERS (4) Pedro Gonzalez, Ricardo Cespedes, Luis Mieses, Adolfo Micker.
Martin's staff includes two former MLB stars: pitching coach Ervin Santana and pitching advisor Ramon Martinez. Hitting coach Ronny Paulino is a former MLB catcher. First base coach Welington Castillo and third base coach Ramon Santiago have also played in the Majors. Santiago also coached in the Big Leagues for the Detroit Tigers. Bench coach Danny Solano and bullpen coach José Canò complete the coaching staff.
The Dominican Republic will compete in Group B from November 13 to 18, facing No.1 Japan, No. 2 (tied with Mexico) Chinese Taipei, No. 6 Korea, No. 9 Cuba, and No. 15 Australia.
The WBSC Premier12 will open with Group A action on November 9 in Guadalajara and Tepic, Mexico. The hosts and world No. 2 Mexico will face No. 4 Venezuela, No. 5 USA, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 8 Puerto Rico and No. 10 Panama.