Panamanian pitching coaches to lead rivals Nicaragua and Mexico at Games

Panama's rich baseball talent will be on display at the Central American and Caribbean Games, not just through its own national team, but also through two prominent pitching coaches guiding rival nations. Lenín Picota and Santos Hernández, both former Panamanian pitchers, have been appointed to lead the pitching efforts for Nicaragua and Mexico, respectively.

Both coaches bring a decade of experience in developing young pitchers within the professional baseball organizations of Nicaragua and Mexico. Picota, highly respected in Nicaragua, currently serves as the pitching coordinator for Nicaragua's national teams. He previously led four different teams to championships in the country's winter league.

Picota expressed his affection for Nicaragua, calling it his "second country" and highlighting the positive reception he has received from players and management. He will be tasked with guiding a modest pitching staff, composed entirely of national league players, in Nicaragua's quest for success in the regional tournament.

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We have a modest pitching staff, all from the national league, but with good repertoire and control. Each game is seven innings, so a good starter can define a game.

Meanwhile, Santos Hernández boasts a significant career in Mexican baseball, having pitched for 12 seasons before transitioning to coaching. He played a key role in developing prospects with the Leones de Yucatán and coordinated pitching at the Pacific Baseball Academy. Hernández also coached Mexico's U-18 team in a 2024 pre-World Cup tournament.

Their appointments underscore the international reach of Panamanian baseball expertise. Both coaches will face their home country, Panama, as Nicaragua and Mexico are drawn into Group B of the baseball tournament, adding an intriguing layer of competition to the games.

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For me, Nicaragua is like my second country. The people, the players, and the management have treated me very well.