Cuba revealed today the team of 28 players that will represent the island in the third edition of the Premier 12, the most prestigious tournament organized by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).
The team, managed by Armando Jhonson, includes two catchers, seven infielders, six outfielders, and 13 pitchers, featuring a mix of players with experience in leagues from Mexico, Venezuela, the United States, and Japan.
One of the questions is the presence of Major League player Yoan Moncada, who, according to sources close to specialized journalist Francys Romero, decided to stay out to focus on other matters, including his preparation in search of a new contract in the “Big Top.”
Cuba will compete in Group B, based in Taipei of China, starting on November 13, where it will face teams such as the hosts, the Dominican Republic, Australia, South Korea, and Japan, the latter being the champion of the tournament in 2019.
Team Cuba:
Receivers:
Andrys Pérez
Andy Cosme
Infield players:
Ariel Martínez
Bárbaro Erisbel Arruebarruena
Christian Rodríguez
Roberto Sullivan Baldoquín
Yadil Orestes Mujica
Yoan Moncada (Duda)
Jean Walters
Gardeners:
Yadir Drake
Yoelquis Gibert
Lázaro Armenteros
Roel Santos
Alfredo Despaigne
Pitchers:
Yoan López
Raymond Figueredo
Raidel Martínez
Andy Vargas
Frank Luis Medina
Yankiel Mauri
Yoenni Yera
Liván Moinelo
Ronald Bolaños
Dario Sarduy
Frank Abel Álvarez
Leodan Reyes
Geonel Gutiérrez
Yusnier Padrón
The tournament will begin on November 9 in Mexico with Group A, while the final phase will be held in Japan.
The previous edition, organized in 2019, left terrible results for the island, as it was eliminated right off the bat: it received two shutouts out of a possible three, was handed 26 zeros out of 28, did not achieve a single extra-base hit, and its batters struck out 28 times, with only four walks.
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