2024 Caribbean Series Preview: Nicaragua

With LoanDepot Park hosting the Caribbean Series beginning this Thursday, Fish On First will be introducing you to all seven participating teams.

Next up: Nicaragua.

Nicaragua's Roster

Nicaragua is one of two countries in the tournament that don't decide their team based on winter league competition. Instead, players are chosen in a style similar to the World Baseball Classic. Of the 28 players on their Serie del Caribe roster, 14 were on Nicaragua's 2023 World Baseball Classic roster. They went 0-4 in group play, losing to all four teams—including Israel—and being forced to re-qualify to participate in the 2026 WBC. 

Marlins Connections

RHP Osman Gutierrez was traded to the Marlins from the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 in exchange for RHP Tom Koehler and cash. Osman pitched 17 innings for the Batavia Muckdogs before being released in 2018. He hasn't returned to affiliated ball since then.

C Melvin Novoa is the older brother of Marlins prospect C Kevin Novoa.

Bullpen coach Oswaldo Mairena pitched 33  ⅔ innings for the Florida Marlins in 2002. 

Other Notable Names

1B/C Raudy Read played in 14 total games at the Major League level for the Washington Nationals (eight games in 2017 and six games in 2019). 

INF Cheslor Cuthbert played in 322 games in MLB with the Kansas City Royals between 2015 and 2019, boasting a career batting average of .250. He even played a single game with the Chicago White Sox in 2020. 

SS Steven Leyton either scored or drove in three of the four total runs scored by Nicaragua during the 2023 WBC. DH Elian Miranda drove in and scored the fourth run with a solo home run against Puerto Rico off of Marcus Stroman.

OF Francisco Peguero played in parts of two seasons for the San Francisco Giants. 

Serie del Caribe Schedule

• February 1 @ Puerto Rico, 10:30 a.m.
• February 2 vs. Dominican Republic, 3:30 p.m.
• February 4 vs. Panama, 10:30 a.m.
• February 5 @ Curacao, 10:30 a.m.
• February 6 vs. Mexico, 10:30 a.m.
• February 7 @ Venezuela, 8:30 p.m.