Joaquín Acuña

Joaquín Israel Acuña Salmeron

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 185 lb.

• Born March 7, 1991 in León, León Nicaragua

BR register page

Biographical Information

Joaquín Acuña pitched in the minors and for the Nicaraguan national team.

He was 3-0 with a save and a 5.40 ERA in 13 games for the 2012 DSL Yankees 1 but walked 24 in 31 2/3 IP. In 2013, he had a 3-0, 3.25 record for the GCL Yankees 2 to end his US career at 6-0. MLB.com listed a Joaquín Acuña with a 4/18/1998 birthdate on Nicaragua's team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers; given that this Joaquín Acuña pitched for Nicaragua in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, it very likely was an error and meant to refer to this one, but this has not been confirmed. The Joaquín Acuña in the 2023 qualifiers was a solid contributor out of the bullpen. Against Pakistan, he relieved Rodney Theophile in the 6th with a 10-0 lead. He whiffed Osman Buttar, got Zan Von Schlegell on a grounder, gave up a Iyad Ansari double then retired Shan Sundu on a fly. Roniel Raudes succeeded him. He had a bigger role against Brazil with a spot in the 2023 World Baseball Classic at stake. Taking over for Carlos Téller in the 8th with two on, one out and a 3-0 lead, he gave up a run-scoring hit to Leonardo Reginatto but then got Christian Lopes to hit into a double play and went 1-2-3 in the 9th against Lucas Rojo, Daniel Molinari and Fernando Luciano to save Osman Gutiérrez's win as Nicaragua won a spot in the World Baseball Classic for the first time.

The right-hander (listed as Joaquín Israel Acuña, but with a 6/4/1991 birthdate) was with Nicaragua for the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games Central American Qualifier. He pitched three games. Against Costa Rica, he succeeded Junior Téllez in the 7th with a 13-0 lead. He got Yader Monge looking and Iván Torres swinging, then Emilson Juarez on a fly to end it. He also closed out the win over El Salvador, taking over for Raudes and whiffing Marlon Leon to end it. In the finale, with a spot in the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games at stake, he came in the 8th with one on, no outs and a 9-1 lead. Tournament MVP Lombardo Padilla hit into a force then Carlos Cordero hit into a double play. Goffrey Bennett then took over to close out the win. He led the tourney in games pitched.

Acuña (finally listed with his 3/7/1991 birthdate like the minor league player) pitched one outing for Nicaragua in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Facing a potent Dominican national team, he relieved Téllez with two outs in the 6th and a 5-0 deficit. He retired Julio Rodríguez to end the inning. After Manny Machado homered to open the 7th, he got Rafael Devers, Eloy Jiménez and Wander Franco in order. Willy Adames singled to begin the 8th then Jeimer Candelario hit into a force and Francisco Mejía hit into a 9-3 double play. Duque Hebbert replaced him in the 9th; they were Nicaragua's top two hurlers that day.