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The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation (FCBS) announced this Sunday the national team that will represent Cuba in the American Cup of the discipline, a tournament that will take place from November 13 to 22 in Panama and will serve as a precursor to future continental events.
The team —made up of 27 players including catchers, infielders, outfielders, and pitchers— will begin their training this Tuesday in the city of Matanzas, the location for preparations before their departure to Panama, reported the digital site JIT.
A roster with a mix of experience and international players
The official roster includes three catchers, six infielders, five outfielders, and thirteen pitchers, several of whom have experience in foreign leagues.
Among the most notable names are Alfredo Despaigne, Yoelkis Guibert, Roel Santos, Yoennis Yera, and Bárbaro Arruebarruena, all of whom have international experience, while the manager will be Germán Mesa.
Other players currently contracted abroad —in countries such as Japan, Venezuela, and Nicaragua— will also be part of the group, reinforcing the mixed nature of the team.
Preparation and competitive schedule
Cuba will begin its training camp on Tuesday in Matanzas, under the direction of Germán Mesa Fresneda, with technical supervision from a team of coaches led by Pedro Luis Lazo (pitching), Omar Linares (offense), and Noelvis González (bench coach).
The team will provide more details at a press conference this Monday at 11:00 a.m. in the Adolfo Luque Hall of the Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana.
During the group stage, Cuba will compete in Group A, alongside Nicaragua (13), Venezuela (14), the Dominican Republic (15), Mexico (16), and Curaçao (17).
Group B will consist of Panama, Canada, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina.
The three best teams from each group will advance to the final round, which will take place between November 19 and 22.
Official roster of the Cuba team
Receivers (3):
Andrys Pérez García (MTZ), Andy Yaniel Cosme Oliva (ART), Raidel Abel Sánchez Trutié (SCU).
Infield players (6):
Bárbaro Erisbel Arruebarruena Escalante (CFG), Cristian Rodríguez García (VCL/Japan), Luis Vicente Mateo Terry (CFG), Tailon Sánchez Díaz (PRI), Alexei Ramírez Rodríguez (PRI), Yoel Yanqui Vera (SCU/Nicaragua).
Gardeners (5):
Yoelkis Guibert Stevens (SCU/Nicaragua), Roel Santos Martínez (GRA/Venezuela), Alfredo Despaigne Rodríguez (GRA), Leonel Moas Acevedo (CMG), Francisco José Martínez García (SCU).
Pitchers (13):
Pavel Hernández Bruces (IND), Frank Luis Medina García (PRI), Darío Sarduy Medina (VCL/Japan), Yoennis Yera Montalvo (MTZ/Venezuela), Armando Dueñas Moré (MTZ/Nicaragua), Yunier Batista Ramírez (CAV), José Ignacio Bermúdez García (MAY), Yunieski García Viera (ART), Yusniel Padrón Artiles (HAB/Venezuela), Randy Román Martínez Pacheco (PRI/Japan), Yadián Martínez Pérez (MAY), Michel Cabrera Rodríguez (HOL), and Geonel Gutiérrez Jiménez (ART).
Matanzas will be the starting point
With Matanzas as the concentration venue, the technical staff's objective will be to refine the group's cohesion, strengthen the offense, and prepare a stable pitching rotation in anticipation of the demanding schedule in Panama.
The debut against Nicaragua will mark the beginning of a crucial test to evaluate the current state of Cuban baseball and its competitive capacity in the continental context.
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