Venezuela confirm Omar Lopez National Team manager for WBSC Premier12

Venezuela announced that World Baseball Classic skipper Omar Lopez will manage the National Team at the WBSC Premier12 2024 presented by RAXUS.

Born in 1977, Lopez is a former Minor League Baseball (MiLB) infielder with a successful coaching career that led him to win championships at the MiLB High-A level and in the Venezuelan Professional Winter League (LVBP).

He has been on the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB) coaching staff since 2020, winning the 2022 World Series as their first-base coach. He became the Astros bench coach in 2024. Lopez led Venezuela to the World Baseball Classic 2023 quarterfinals.

Former MLB catcher Robinson Chirinos, who represented Venezuela at the World Baseball Classic and the Tokyo 2020 Americas Qualifier, will be the bench coach.

Wilfredo Romero, who was honoured two times as the LVBP Manager of the Year will serve as the hitting coach. Luis Ramirez, who was the bullpen coach at the World Baseball Classic, will be the pitching coach.

Jorge Cordova, the pitching coordinator for the Detroit Tigers, will work as the bullpen coach. Nestor Corredor, the Milwaukee Brewers outfield coordinator, will be the third-base coach.

Former MLB outfielder Gerardo Parra will serve as the first-base coach, the same role he has with the Washington Nationals of MLB.

World No. 4 Venezuela will compete in Group A and face No. 2 Mexico, No. 5 USA, No. 7 Netherlands, No. 8 Puerto Rico and No. 10 Panama.

Group B includes No. 1 Japan, No. 2 Chinese Taipei, No. 6 Korea, No. 9 Cuba, No. 12 Dominican Republic and No. 15 Australia.