Puerto Rico’s U-18 national baseball team will compete in the Pan American Championship in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic, through October 29, chasing one of four spots at the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup, scheduled for September 7-13, 2027 in China. Manager Eddie González told EFE the squad has "a good core of players" and a favorable group.
The roster features pitchers Carlos Coira and Saúl Maldonado, infielders Adniel Quiles and Jean Rosa, and outfielder Valentín Carrasquillo, all from the U-15 team that won silver against China at the 2024 World Cup in Barranquilla and Cartagena. González called defense a key point and pitching the team’s decisive factor. Colombia, which had been drawn with Puerto Rico, Panama and Canada in Group C, withdrew last week for lack of resources, forcing Puerto Rico to play a doubleheader on opening day.
Coira, 17, who threw the ceremonial first pitch before the Puerto Rico-Cuba game at the World Baseball Classic, cited José Berríos and Edwin 'Sugar' Díaz as his role models. Quiles and Rosa look up to Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez, and Quiles and pitcher Joniel Miranda return after playing the 2025 U-18 World Cup in Japan.
Puerto Rico has finished fifth at the last two U-18 World Cups and now aims for the top four.