Luis Patiño Leads Colombia’s Premier12 Qualifier Roster
Luis Patiño leads Colombia’s 25-man roster for the Premier12 qualifier in Barcelona, where two places in the 2027 tournament are at stake.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
Colombia has named a 25-man roster built around right-hander Luis Patiño for the WBSC Premier12 Barcelona Qualifier, which begins Friday, October 9, with two places in the 2027 Premier12 at stake.
The squad brings together nine players who represented Colombia at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and nine players currently attached to MLB organizations. That mix gives manager Giovanny Urshela a young group with recent experience on international baseball’s biggest stage.
Patiño leads Colombia’s pitching staff
Patiño is the most experienced arm on the roster. The 26-year-old has made 45 MLB appearances, including 23 starts, for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox. He returned from Tommy John surgery in 2025 and pitched in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol during the 2026 season.
Colombia will also lean on Cincinnati Reds prospect David Lorduy, who worked 3 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed only one hit at the World Baseball Classic. Other affiliated pitchers include José Garces of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Roberto Pérez of the Seattle Mariners system and Harrison Ruiz of the Cleveland Guardians organization.
Veteran outfielder Jesús Marriaga will captain the team. Marriaga, a three-time World Baseball Classic participant, described the roster as young and talented ahead of the three-day qualifier.
Nine MLB-affiliated players add depth
Daniel Vellojin, a Double-A catcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, is one of three catchers selected. The infield includes Cleveland Guardians Triple-A player Dayan Frías, Seattle Mariners prospect Diego Contreras and José Ramos, who reached High-A with the San Francisco Giants organization in 2026.
Ramos produced an .851 OPS in 31 High-A games, with a .437 on-base percentage and 13 stolen bases. His speed and ability to reach base give Colombia another option near the top of the batting order.
Premier12 place and Olympic pathway at stake
Colombia opens against Italy on Friday at Camp Municipal de Beisbol Carlos Pérez de Rozas in Barcelona. It then faces Germany on Saturday and host Spain on Sunday.
The four teams play a single round robin, with the top two advancing to the expanded 2027 Premier12. That tournament is also part of the qualification pathway for baseball at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, giving every game in Barcelona consequences beyond this weekend.
Colombia enters as the highest-ranked nation in the field at No. 13 in the WBSC World Rankings, one place ahead of Italy. Germany is ranked No. 17 and Spain No. 26.
