Jose Quintana: The Ace Leading Colombia’s WBC Charge
BRADENTON, Fla. – The 2023 World Baseball Classic was a tale of contrasting fortunes for Team Colombia. A stunning upset victory over Mexico initially sparked euphoria, raising hopes of a breakthrough advancement from pool play. However, that lone win proved to be an isolated bright spot, ultimately leading to a last-place finish in Pool C.
Despite the disappointment, Colombia refused to be deterred. They battled through the 2025 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers, showcasing resilience and determination. Playing in Arizona – the same state where their 2023 campaign ended – Colombia dominated their group, securing a perfect 3-0 record with an impressive 23-1 goal differential, earning their spot in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Learning from the Past, Focused on the Future
Colombia is determined to build on the lessons learned from 2023. “We know we just have to keep the same intensity every game and play every game really, really hard,” said Colombia infielder Gio Urshela. “We can’t sleep on any team, because it’s a really short tournament.”
The team faces a challenging Pool A in San Juan, competing against Canada, Cuba, Panama, and host nation Puerto Rico. Their opening game against Puerto Rico on Friday at 6 p.m. ET on FS1 promises an electric atmosphere. “There’s going to be a lot of energy. It’s going to be a different vibe,” Urshela added. “They’re going to have a lot of fans cheering and screaming. It’s going to be fun.”
Jose Quintana: A Beacon of Hope
This year, Colombia enters the tournament with a significant advantage: Jose Quintana. The winningest Colombian-born pitcher in MLB history was sidelined by a rib injury during Spring Training in 2023, forcing him to miss the previous Classic. Now, he returns as the team captain and the starting pitcher for the crucial opening game against Puerto Rico.
Manager José Mosquera emphasized the importance of Quintana’s presence: “We know the challenge we have in front of us by facing the home team – I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like. We want to give everything to that game to see if we can start with a win. Obviously, that’s why we start with Jose Quintana in the first game.”
A Pitching Staff Anchored by Experience
Colombia’s pitching rotation is built around the veteran leadership of Quintana and Julio Teheran. Quintana boasts 113 big league wins and 1,816 strikeouts, while Teheran has 81 wins and 1,260 strikeouts. Combined, they represent the vast majority of the nation’s pitching success on the MLB stage. The remaining Colombian-born pitchers have a combined total of just 42 wins and 999 strikeouts.
This experience proved invaluable in recruiting younger players to join the team. “They just said, ‘Hey, we’re here and we need you on the team,’” Mosquera explained. “And that just made things so much easier.”
A Manager’s Dream
Mosquera, also the manager for the Pirates High-A affiliate Greensboro, views this opportunity as a dream come true. An exhibition game against the Pirates provided a unique setting for him to get acquainted with his role as Colombia’s manager. “To be honest, it’s a dream come true for me – especially because I’ve worked for the Pirates the last 10 years,” he said. “So this experience as Colombia’s manager coming against the Pirates is something I’m never going to forget in my life.”
Colombia’s goal extends beyond simply qualifying for the 2029 WBC; they are aiming for a quarterfinal berth in 2026. With a renewed sense of confidence, a seasoned pitching staff led by Jose Quintana, and a determination to learn from past experiences, Team Colombia is poised to make a significant impact on the tournament. As Gio Urshela eloquently stated, “I feel proud to be Colombian, proud to represent my country. I’m blessed to be here.”
For more information on the World Baseball Classic, visit MLB.com.
