Puerto Rico may not be in the Tier A group of favorites in this year's World Baseball Classic, but there is a lot of optimism for the two-time runner ups.
With Yadier Molina managing after retiring from the Cardinals last season, there is a lot of knowledge on the Puerto Rico bench. A fun thing about this squad is its "team of the future" vibe, with 12 of its players currently playing in MiLB pipelines.
The headliner for Puerto Rico is Edwin Díaz, who is pitching with his brother, the Cincinnati Reds' Alexis Díaz. Edwin became one of baseball's eminent closers last year, and his walk-out song Narco made his entrances must-see TV.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Tigers shortstop Javier Báez are also on the roster, not to mention the likes of new Twins catcher Christian Vásquez and Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos.
Puerto Rico is playing in a crowded Pool D alongside the likes of the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, so its competition is going to be fierce early and often. However, it's as talented as nearly any other team in this tournament, and a number of MLB teams are represented on its roster.
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Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic 2023 roster
Of Puerto Rico's 30-man roster, 16 of them are pitchers. There will be three catchers, leaving just 11 spots for outfielders and infielders.
Puerto Rico doesn't have as many utility players as other teams with MLB representation, but its middle infield will be among the best in the WBC. Báez is moving over to second to accommodate Lindor at short, while Red Sox prospect Edwin Díaz (not that Edwin Díaz) will be at third. Also representing the Red Sox, Kiké Hernández will be in centerfield.
Pitchers
| Player | Team | Throws |
| José Berríos | Toronto Blue Jays | R |
| Fernando Cruz | Cincinnati Reds | R |
| José De Léon | Minnesota Twins | R |
| Alexis Díaz | Cincinnati Reds | R |
| Edwin Díaz | New York Mets | R |
| Dominic Hamel | New York Mets | R |
| Jorge López | Minnesota Twins | R |
| Anthony Maldonado | Miami Marlins | R |
| Jovani Moran | Minnesota Twins | L |
| Nicholas Padilla | Chicago White Sox | R |
| Emilio Pagán | Minnesota Twins | R |
| Yacksel Ríos | Atlanta Braves | R |
| Dereck Rodríguez | Minnesota Twins | R |
| Hector Santiago | Gigantes de Carolina | L |
| Marcus Stroman | Chicago Cubs | R |
| Duane Underwood Jr. | Pittsburgh Pirates | R |
Catchers
| Player | Team | Bats/Throws |
| Martín Maldonado | Houston Astros | R/R |
| MJ Melendez | Kansas City Royals | L/R |
| Christian Vásquez | Minnesota Twins | R/R |
Infielders
| Player | Team | Position | Bats/Throws |
| Javier Báez | Detroit Tigers | 2B/SS | R/R |
| Edwin Díaz | Boston Red Sox | 3B | R/R |
| Francisco Lindor | New York Mets | SS | S/R |
| Vimael Machin | Philadelphia Phillies | 3B | L/R |
| José Miranda | Minnesota Twins | 1B | R/R |
| Emmanuel Rivera | Arizona Diamondbacks | 3B | R/R |
| Neftalí Soto | Yokohama DeNA Baystars | 1B | R/R |
Outfielders
| Player | Team | Position | Bats/Throws |
| Enrique Hernández | Boston Red Sox | CF | R/R |
| Henry Ramos | Cincinnati Reds | OF | S/R |
| Eddie Rosario | Atlanta Braves | LF | L/R |
| Nelson Velázquez | Chicago Cubs | OF | R/R |
Puerto Rico players to watch
There are plenty of obvious players to look for on Team Puerto Rico. Edwin Díaz was the breakout star of 2022, Báez has been an MLB fixture, and Lindor is one of the biggest names in the sport already.
Beyond the MLB talent, however, the exciting thing about Puerto Rico isn't just its stars of today. It's the players of tomorrow. Puerto Rico has a lot of players in the MiLB pipeline, including third baseman Edwin Díaz for the Red Sox, Vimael Machin for the Phillies, and Dereck Rodríguez for the Twins.
Other players on MLB rosters include Enrique "Kiké" Hernández, Emilio Pagán, and José Miranda, not to mention All-Star Jorge López. If you're a Twins fan, this is going to be the team for you, with new acquisition Christian Vásquez also behind the plate.
MORE: World Baseball Classic 2023: MLB team-by-team roster breakdown
Who is coaching Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic?
MLB fans will know the man behind Team Puerto Rico well. Yadier Molina, who just retired after catching 19 seasons for the Cardinals, will be in the Puerto Rico dugout for the World Baseball Classic.
It's a natural transition for Molina, who was always praised for his mind as much as much as his athleticism.
Molina played for Puerto Rico in the first four iterations of the World Baseball Classic, so he's hyper-familiar with the format. Molina will look to lead Puerto Rico to its first win after finishing as runner-up in the past two classics.
Victor Rodríguez will be the hitting coach while Juan Gonzalez will be an assistant hitting coach. Phenomenal name Ricky Bones is the pitching coach, and José Molina and Luis Rivera will be the first and third-base coaches, respectively. Jose Rosado is the bullpen coach, and Alex Cintron -- hitting coach for the Astros, will serve as bench coach.
Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic history
Puerto Rico is no stranger to the World Baseball Classic, nor is it unaccustomed to success.
Puerto Rico finished as runners-up in both 2013 and 2017, losing to the Dominican Republic in the final in 2013 and the United States in the 2017 championship.
Puerto Rico made it to the second round in the first two classics, finishing in fifth place in both.
| Year | Result | Final game |
| 2006 | Eliminated in second round | 4-3 loss to Cuba |
| 2009 | Eliminated in second round | 6-5 loss to United States |
| 2013 | Runner-up | 3-0 loss to Dominican Republic |
| 2017 | Runner-up | 8-0 loss to United States |
| 2023 | TBD | TBD |
Puerto Rico World Baseball Classic 2023 schedule
Puerto Rico will be in Pool D, alongside the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Israel.
Its World Baseball Classic will kick off Pool D on March 11 against Nicaragua.
Pool play will wrap up on March 15 against the Dominican Republic in what could be a high-stakes game.
Puerto Rico will play in Miami's LoanDepot Park throughout pools. It needs to finish first or second to advance to the quarterfinals.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Channel |
| March 11 | Nicaragua vs. Puerto Rico | 12 p.m. | FS2 |
| March 12 | Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico | 7 p.m. | FS1 |
| March 13 | Israel vs. Puerto Rico | 7 p.m. | FS1 |
| March 15 | Puerto Rico vs. Dominican Republic | 7 p.m. | FS2 |