In 2017 and 2020, the Herrera team managed to win the National Youth Baseball Championship title. The following year, the Azuerenses reached the final again but lost to Coclé in seven games. Since then, Herrera has not been able to return to a final and has only one semifinal appearance from the 2023 edition. Herrera, which has five crowns (1971, 1973, 1974, 2017, and 2020), has done strong work for 2026, so the goal is to be back in the forefront of this category again. For the next national tournament, Herrera will have the powerful bat of Julio Casas, a right-handed power hitter with 14 home runs in the history of youth tournaments, the second-highest mark after the coclesano Luis Escudero, who hit 17 in his youth career. Casas also has 70 RBIs and 23 doubles. Pitching will be fundamental with the left arms of Emanuel Herrera and Rogelio Jaén, who will be key cards in the team's aspirations. Also, in the pitching corps is the righty Manuel Bustavino. The team will play another campaign at the Claudio Nieto because the Rico Cedeño Stadium in Chitré is being remodeled. Defensive play could be decisive, and playing at home is an advantage they can take advantage of. The 2026 National Youth Baseball Championship kicks off on Saturday, January 3, when Herrera visits Los Santos at the Roberto 'Flaco Bala' Hernández.
