The Baseball Federation of Puerto Rico (FBPR) announced that Juan Gonzalez will coach the national team at the WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup and the Premier12.

Born 1969, nickname IgorGonzalez had a stellar MLB career from 1989 to 2005. While playing for the Texas Rangers, he won the American League MVP award twice, appeared in three All-Star games, and led the American League in home runs twice.
He was part of Puerto Rico’s coaching staff at the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics. He led Puerto Rico to victory at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games and the 2019 Pan American Games. He also managed Puerto Rico at the 2019 WBSC Premier12 and the 2022 U-23 Baseball World Cup.

“It is an honour to have him with us,” commented José Daniel Quiles, president of the national association. “His knowledge of the game and his leadership qualities are exactly what we need to get through a demanding international season.”

Quiles added“Our focus is on Puerto Rico competing at the highest level. I think the election Igor as our manager was the right decision.”

The WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup will be held in Shaoxing, China, from September 6 to 15. Puerto Rico, ranked No. 12 in the world, will compete in Group A and face Japan (No. 1), Australia (No. 11), Colombia (No. 13), Great Britain (No. 18) and China (No. 24). Group B includes Korea (No. 4), Chinese Taipei (No. 5), Venezuela (No. 6), Netherlands (No. 7), Nicaragua (No. 20) and South Africa (No. 34).

The WBSC Premier12 presented by RAXUS will take place from November 9-24. Puerto Rico will compete in Group B in Guadalajara and Tepic, Mexico, and will face No. 2 Mexico, No. 3 USA, Venezuela, the Netherlands and No. 10 Panama. Group B, which will take place in Nagoya, Japan and Taipei, includes Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, No. 8 Cuba, No. 9 Dominican Republic and Australia.

The Tokyo Dome will host the Premier12 Super Round and Medal Games.