During the 2023 season, the Cuban alfredo despaigne will not be on the Softbank Hawks roster, of the Japan Professional Baseball League (NPB), according to specialized media.
Through an interview with team officials, released by Japan’s public broadcaster, NHK Fukuoka Broadcasting Station, it emerged that both Despaigne and Yurisbel Gracial are not in the board’s plans. It has been confirmed by the website Full Swing.
Despaigne, Softbank and the end of a dynasty in the #Baseball from Japan
Most likely, SoftBank will “go off the map” in the near future and not return until it manages to assemble a new golden generation again. #Cuba #Japan #BaseBall https://t.co/iVozCg211i pic.twitter.com/j15IJjLzlc— JIT Cuban Sport (@jit_digital) October 19, 2022
The publication adds that the club had already dispensed with the services of Ken Aoki, who served as the exclusive interpreter for both players.
Despaigne joined the Falcons in 2017 from the Chiba Lotte Mariners, with whom he was associated for the previous three seasons. In his first season, he hit 35 home runs and drove in 103 runs, leading both departments in the Pacific League and was a key piece for the team to win four consecutive crowns.
After his contract ended, in January of this year he extended the link with the Falcons for one more season with options for a renewal according to his performance, something that will not materialize.
In the most recent tournament, the slugger from Granma fell prey to injuries and was barely able to participate in 89 games for his team, in which he hit 15 home runs and drove in , with an offensive average of .269.
In his nine years in Japan, Despaigne average for .263 and with 184 home runs and 541 RBIs, you are the last two all-time records for a Cuban in professional baseball in Japan.
For his part, Gracial joined the Softbank Hawks in 2018 and his most notable performance was signed during his second year with the team, when he averaged .319, with 28 home runs and 68 RBIs.
Baseball: Alfredo Despaigne will play another year in Japan with the SoftBank Hawks
His most recent campaign was one of ups and downs, due in part to physical ailments that only allowed him to line up in 99 games, in which he hit 94 hits, including 7 home runs, pushed in 30 runs and got a .293 average, according to the site. official website of the league.
In five campaigns Installed in Fukuoka, the man from Matanzas posted an offensive average of .293, with 59 home runs and 178 RBIs.
Although the call has not been made official, both players must be in manager Armando Jhonson’s plans for the team that will represent Cuba in the V World Baseball Classic (WBC) that will begin in March 2023.
According to more recent publications on his social networks, Despaigne is currently on vacation in the United States, where he has visited former teammates who live in that country.
