The Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) announced this Wednesday its official roster of 30 players for the fifth edition of the World Baseball Classic, which will begin on March 8 in Taichung, Chinese Taipei, precisely with the duel between the West Indians and Netherlands.
The roster, led by experienced mentor Armando Johnson, is made up of 2 catchers, 8 infielders, 6 outfielders and 14 pitchers. In addition, as the rules of the event indicate, the bullpen catcher (Iván Prieto) was officially named, while it remains to be known who will be the practice pitcher.
The list highlights the presence of 10 emigrated players who have no formal ties to the national sports movement, another 13 hired in international clubs under the protection of the FCB and 7 who play exclusively in domestic tournaments.
Johnson’s management team also includes Germán Mesa (bench coach), Humberto Guevara (physical trainer), Orestes Kindelán (hitting coach), coaches Armando Ferrer and Rafael Muñoz, and pitching coaches Pedro Luis Lazo and Jose Elosegui.
The bulk of the team will continue training at the Latin American stadium in Havana until mid-February, when they will travel to Japan to hold several preparation duels with professional teams from the Japanese circuit.
For their part, professional baseball players who belong to Major League Baseball organizations or who reside abroad will join the roster on March 3.
Without further ado, we present the team.
Receivers: Lorenzo Quintana and Andrys Perez.
Infielders: Ariel Martínez, Yadir Drake, Andy Ibáñez, Erisbel Arruebarrena, Luis Vicente Mateo, Yoan Moncada, Yadil Mujica and Dayán García.
Gardeners: Luis Robert Moirán, Yoelkis Guibert, Roel Santos, Yurisbel Gracial, Yoenis Céspedes and Alfredo Despaigne.
Launchers: Elián Leyva, Yoennis Yera, Liván Moinelo, Carlos Juan Viera, Raidel Martínez, Yariel Rodríguez, Frank Abel Álvarez, Roenis Elías, Naykel Cruz, Onelkis García, José Ramón Rodríguez, Yeudis Reyes, Ronald Bolaños and Miguel Romero.
