Several players with great possibilities of participating in the future World Baseball Classic (WBC) were included in the roster that will represent Cuba in the II Series of the Americas that will begin this Thursday in Venezuela.
Among these figures, regulars in the most recent national teams stand out, among them the shortstop Erisbel Aruebarruena, the outfielders Yoelquis Gibert and Alfredo Despaigneaccording to a note published by the Cuban News Agency (ACN).
However, the high command with Germán Mesa at the helm, dispensed for the moment with other players who seem to have a secure place on the team for the Classic. These are the cases of pitchers Liván Moinelo and Raidel Martínez, who had extraordinary performances last season of the Japanese Professional Baseball League (NPB, for its acronym in English).
So far, the Havana strategist has faced too many setbacks to put together a competitive team, because as the tournament date has approached, several players who play at different levels of the Major Leagues (MLB), and who were included in the initial plans, have declined the invitation.
Once the America Series is over, Cuba plans to hold four friendly matches in Nicaragua against the team from that country that will also participate in the Classic.
Cuba will play preparation games in Nicaragua towards the World Baseball Classic
Initial examination
The presence of young figures in the Cuban team will allow their progression to be evaluated, although the circumstances that have accompanied the assembly of the final cast could open the door to the Classic for some of them.
World Classic: Between casualties and political tension, the “Team Asere” is a sea of doubts
Although the tournament will have its first actions on February 5, the representative of the island awaits its premiere for a day later at the Monumental stadium in Caracas, facing the Leones de León from Nicaragua.
The second incursion of the Cubans will be against the Argentine club Daom on Saturday the 7th, and the duel against the host team is scheduled for Sunday.
For Cuba, the qualifying segment closes, facing the teams from Curacao, Panama and Colombia starting Monday the 9th in a stretch that must define its options of being among the four best in the tournament and reaching the semifinals.
The match will be held on February 12, and the winners will face each other the next day to define the champion of the contest.
Team Cuba
Receivers: Harold Vázquez (SCU) and Nelson Miguel Batista (HOL).
Infielders: Yoel Yanqui (SCU), Yulieski Miguel Remón (GRA), Bárbaro Erisbel Arruebarruena (CFG), Cristian Leandro García (VCL), Luis Vicente Mateo (CFG), Tailon Sánchez (PRI) and Raidel Abel Sánchez (SCU).
Gardeners: Yoelquis Gibert (SCU), Roel Santos (GRA), Alfredo Despaigne (GRA), Leonel Moas (CMG), Yasiel Andy González (HOL) and Francisco José Martínez (SCU).
Launchers: Randy Román Martínez (PRI), Frank Abel Álvarez (PRI), José Miguel Rodríguez (HOL), Darío Sarduy (VCL), Luis Miguel Vázquez (MAY), Yunier Batista (CAV), Yankiel Mauris (SSP), Randy Cueto (VCL), Yadián Martínez (MAY), Yusniel Padrón (HAB), Osdani Rodríguez (VCL), Michel Cabrera (HOL), and José Ignacio Bermúdez (MAY).
