Nestor Corredor Named Venezuela Manager for 2026 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Venezuela has appointed former Minor League Baseball catcher and Milwaukee Brewers field coordinator Nestor Corredor as head coach for the 2026 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.
The tournament, presented by RAXUS, will take place in Nicaragua from November 6 to 15, with games scheduled at venues in Managua, Masaya and León.
Corredor, born in 1984, spent six seasons in the Milwaukee Brewers’ minor league system between 2002 and 2008. He later worked as a coach within the organisation from 2010 to 2019 before joining the Major League Baseball coaching setup in 2021. He has also managed teams in the Venezuelan and Colombian winter leagues.
His appointment comes after he worked as a field coordinator under Venezuela manager Omar Lopez during the World Baseball Classic. Lopez will remain involved with the U-23 project as an advisor to the Venezuelan Federation’s Olympic cycle.
Star-Studded Coaching Staff
Corredor will lead a coaching group featuring several former Major League Baseball players.
The staff includes Robinson Chirinos as assistant manager, Victor Martinez as bench coach, and Carlos “Beto” Méndez and legendary Venezuelan slugger Miguel Cabrera as hitting coaches.
Luis Meza will serve as pitching coach, while Juan Francia and Dennis Malavé will work as third- and first-base coaches respectively. Juan Graterol has been named bullpen coach, with Javier Bracamonte serving as bullpen catcher.
The wider staff also includes strength and conditioning coach Cesar Yépez, athletic trainer Joan Fernández and sports director Francisco Cartaya.
Cabrera brings considerable experience to the group. The former Detroit Tigers star finished his MLB career with more than 3,000 hits and 500 home runs and was a Triple Crown winner.
Martinez was a five-time All-Star catcher, while Chirinos spent 11 seasons in MLB. Graterol also has Major League experience behind the plate.
Méndez is currently part of the Atlanta Braves’ coaching staff, while Bracamonte previously worked as a bullpen catcher for the Houston Astros and was part of a World Series-winning organisation. Malavé, a former minor leaguer, has also worked as a bullpen catcher with the Cleveland Guardians.
Venezuela Begins Selection Process
Venezuela’s preparations for the tournament have already started. The initial selection process involved around 300 players, with the current extended roster reduced to approximately 55 to 60 candidates.
Corredor acknowledged that selecting the final 24-player squad will be challenging because of the strong interest among Venezuelan players.
Omar Lopez explained that the timing of the team’s final training camp will depend on how many selected players are active on Venezuelan League (LVBP) rosters.
If most of the players are available through their LVBP teams, Venezuela could begin its final camp only a few days before the tournament. If fewer players are involved with the domestic league, the preparation period could extend to around 12 days.
Venezuela Targets Top Ranking
Venezuelan Baseball Federation president Aracelis Leon said the team is aiming to make the most of the 500 WBSC World Rankings points available at the U-23 Baseball World Cup.
The federation wants to field its strongest possible squad and build on what it considers a successful start to 2026 for Venezuelan baseball.
2026 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup Groups
Nicaragua will host the 12-team tournament from November 6 to 15.
The participating teams have been divided into two groups:
Group A: Australia, Czechia, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico and Chinese Taipei
Group B: Cuba, Great Britain, Japan, Korea, South Africa and Venezuela
Each team will play six games during the Opening Round, which runs through November 10.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Round, while the remaining six teams will enter the Placement Round to determine positions seven through 12.
