Daniel Palencia: Venezuela’s Rising Star in the World Baseball Classic
Miami, FL – Daniel Palencia has quickly become a cornerstone of Venezuela’s bullpen in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), captivating fans with his electrifying fastball and sharp sliders. The Chicago Cubs closer, like his fellow Vinotinto (Venezuela’s national team) pitchers, is guided by the exemplary role model of Johan Santana, who is making his debut as the team’s pitching coach.
Learning from a Legend: Johan Santana’s Influence
Johan Santana boasts an impressive resume as a pitcher. “El Gocho” (Santana’s nickname) shone brightly in Major League Baseball, earning two Cy Young Awards (2004 and 2006) and solidifying his place as one of the premier pitchers of his generation. Such accomplishments inspire deep admiration in his pupils on the Venezuelan national team. Daniel Palencia openly admits to being a huge fan.
“Johan has a significant influence,” Palencia shared. “From day one, we have meetings before stretching, discussing the game and the hitters.” The big leaguer, who recorded 22 saves with the Cubs in 2025, continued, “For me, it’s a dream to be able to talk to him, ask questions, and learn. He’s been incredibly important to the team, helping us with the game plan. I’m very grateful.”
Santana’s Philosophy: Belief and Enjoyment
Santana’s motto and purpose are clearly defined: “If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.” His goal is to instill this message throughout the team. “Johan has asked us to have fun, work hard daily, and believe in our talent. It’s incredible. I’ve dreamed of this since watching the last World Baseball Classic. It’s a wonderful experience. At first, I feel like a kid here, remembering how we started. I’m living a dream,” expressed Daniel Palencia.
Refining a Powerful Arm
The right-handed pitcher is still writing his story in the Major Leagues, with only three seasons and 25 years of age under his belt. He believes he still has much to improve, particularly regarding control. “Baseball is a very fast sport, and you have to make adjustments along the way. Thankfully, I was able to do that,” Palencia noted, adding that his fastball reached 102 mph in 2025.
“It’s not easy to have control with that kind of velocity, but I worked on it with my coaches in Venezuela. I made mechanical adjustments, trained like a sprinter (track and field), and gained a better understanding of my body. All of that helped me a lot.”
Dominating in the Ninth Inning
Daniel Palencia has become Omar López’s go-to option for the ninth inning. Following José Alvarado’s absence, the right-hander has secured two saves in the WBC, performing almost flawlessly. He earned his second save on Monday night and has allowed only two baserunners in 4.0 innings – one walk and one hit by pitch – while striking out seven batters.
Cubs Manager Impressed
Palencia’s performance hasn’t gone unnoticed by his manager at the Chicago Cubs, Craig Counsell. According to a report by Jordan Bastian for MLB.com, Counsell is pleased with what he’s seen from the Venezuelan fireballer. “It’s a great experience for him,” Counsell said on Sunday. “He’s already been through some important moments, so it’s not the first time. But last night (Saturday against Japan) he had a fantastic night. He had a lot of fun. It was a great experience. In fact, I think, from Daniel’s perspective, this makes the tournament make him think, ‘I’m really glad I participated.’”
