Nicaragua might have had the best defensive play of the Classic

MIAMI -- Making it to the World Baseball Classic for the first time in the country’s history was enough of a prize, according to Nicaragua manager Sandor Guido.

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Placed in Pool D, or the “Pool of Death” as many keep calling it, the Nicaraguan team had nothing to lose. It’s a squad composed of mostly Minor Leaguers and players who have made a living playing in leagues across the world.

Nicaragua has dropped its three games of the WBC and is still in search for its first win ever in this type of tournament. But one thing is certain, and it’s that Nicaragua has earned the respect of its opponents, especially the Dominican Republic, one of the powerhouses of the sport.

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Despite falling, 6-1, to the Dominican Republic on Monday, Nicaragua put on a show on the defensive side. Perhaps the most impressive defensive play of the tournament came in the third inning from Nicaragua left fielder Norlando Valle, who made a sliding grab deep in the left-field corner to retire superstar Julio Rodríguez.

Rodríguez stood in the batter’s box for a few seconds in clear disbelief that Valle had made the play.

“From the very beginning before the tournament, I said there are no easy opponents,” D.R. manager Rodney Linares said. “They played with heart. We have to recognize their game. They were a hit away from making things interesting and making us use more pitchers.”

The defensive gems started in the first for Nicaragua, with shortstop Steven Leyton ranging into left-center to rob Eloy Jiménez of a hit.

Nicaragua’s defensive efforts didn’t stop there, however. Center fielder Juan Montes made a pair of good plays with his glove. He tracked down a deep flyout by Manny Machado in the fourth that traveled 390 feet. He also robbed Wander Franco of extra bases in the fifth, crashing against the wall on a liner that traveled 405 feet.

First baseman and former Major Leaguer Cheslor Cuthbert also got his pitching staff out of a jam in the fourth inning, snatching a liner by Juan Soto and doubling off Francisco Mejía in the process.

In the sixth, Nicaragua right-hander Junior Tellez gave up a monstrous homer to Soto that reached the upper-deck in right field at loanDepot park. When the camera panned to Tellez, it showed him flashing a huge smile.

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He wasn’t happy about giving up a homer, to be sure, but it summarized the type of tournament Nicaragua is having. The success of this World Baseball Classic might not be reflected on the scoreboard. But it could have a major impact on how the game continues to grow in the Central American country, as evidenced by the Tigers signing right-hander Duque Hebbert to a Minor League deal after he struck out Soto, Rodríguez and Rafael Devers in the ninth inning.

“These young players that come to the Classic, I hope that teams will notice,” Guido said. “They will be playing not only for themselves, and, of course, that’s very important socially, personally, and financially speaking, but also for Nicaraguan baseball. This is going to be very, very useful for us.”