Néstor Pérez, born in Matanzas, Cuba, began his professional playing career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1998. He played seven seasons in the minor leagues before transitioning to a coaching career. Known affectionately as "Nestico," Pérez was a key player for the Spanish National Team, with 75 games to his credit. He served as the team's captain from 2008 to 2013, retiring after the World Baseball Classic in Puerto Rico. Following his playing career, he joined the Spanish National Team Staff.
In 2013, Pérez was hired as the assistant hitting coach for the Danville Braves, followed by stints with the Rome Braves (2014-2015) and as the manager of the GCL Braves (2016). He coached Spain in the 2016 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers and the 2016 European Championship. Pérez managed the Danville Braves in 2017, the GCL Braves in 2018-2019, and coached Spain in the 2019 European Championship and the 2019 Europe/Africa Olympic Qualifier. He was set to coach the Mississippi Braves in 2020 before the season was canceled due to Covid-19. He led the 2021 FCL Braves and the 2022 Augusta Green Jackets and coached Spain in the 2022 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. Since 2023, Pérez has managed the Braves' affiliated team at the Florida Complex League.
In 2023, Pérez won the Florida Complex League as a manager and served as a bench coach for the Spanish National Team in Eurobaseball. He received the "Bobby Cox Manager of the Year 2021" award, honoring his exemplary representation of organizational values both on and off the field. His leadership was crucial in the Mississippi Braves' 2021 AA League Champions title.
Pérez also serves as the General Manager of the Marlins Puerto Cruz Sports Club, a prestigious and successful club in Spanish baseball.
Key Details for the European Baseball Winter League (EBWL):
- Dates: Players are required to arrive in Tenerife (Canary Islands) on November 16 and depart on November 24.
- Age Group: 17-23 years.
- Team Formation: Participants will be divided into 3 or 4 teams, with 16 players per team, depending on the number of players.
- Schedule: Depending on the number of teams, there will be either five games in the afternoon and night, with morning workouts for every team, or games every day.
- Financial Obligations: The cost per player is 650 EUR, including hotel accommodations, full board, and local transportation. This amount should be paid to the WBSC Europe account as a guarantee after selection. The late entry fee per player is 700 EUR. Please note that the plane ticket to Tenerife airport is not included and is the responsibility of each participant.
Interested Federations are requested to submit their applications no later than August 15th.
