Despite the fact that Cuba received the US permission to bring MLB players to the World Classicthe list of baseball players from which the Island team will come out in the event that will be held from March 8 to 21, 2023 in the cities of Taichung (Taiwan), Tokyo, and Phoenix and Miami (United States) remains unknown. ).
So far the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) has only announced the acceptance of the players on their social networks: Yoan Moncada (White Sox), Yoenis Céspedes (Águilas Cibaeñas), Onelkis García (Águilas de Mexicali), Roénis Elias (Águilas Cibaeñas), Andy Ibáñez (Tigres), Yoan López (Mets) and Elian Leyva (Orange growers).
Based on the schedule of group A in which Cuba is located, which will compete with China, the Netherlands, Italy and Panama, the portal Cuban ball considers that the island team will not have “a delicacy” to pass the first round in the World Classic, but “you can.” The same outlet highlights the additions of the gardener from Pinar del Río Andy Pagés and the habanero Yasmany Tomás.
Tomás, who is a free agent, had an outstanding performance in the Mexican Pacific League. The player said that he is waiting for the invitation to be confirmed. With Pagés and Tomás “at least all the positions will be filled with excellent players,” he published Cuban ball.
The Island team will not have “a delicacy” to get through the first round in the World Classic, but “it can be done”
Moncada, at 27, has played the last seven seasons with Boston and the White Sox and has 82 home runs and 299 RBIs. Added to this player is the experience of veteran Yoenis Céspedes with eight seasons with Oakland and Mets, and a mark of 165 home runs. La Potencia, as they call him, won the Home Run Derby in 2013 and 2014, being the first player born in Cuba to do so.
Cuba’s other hope in the World Classic is Onelkis García, who played with the Dodgers and Kansas in the Major Leagues, as well as a stint in the Japan League. On that same train is the left-handed pitcher Roénis Elias who left the Island in 2010.
According to the FCB, Cuba will have as its backbone the team that wins the Elite League, a tournament that only on December 24 defined the play off semifinals with Farmers, Plants, Ports and Tobacco.
Amidst hopes, the Cuban team for the World Classic is formed, while the island continues to receive news of player escapes. Jorge Alvarez, gunpowderHe’s already in the United States. Last June he was nominated for the SN61 Gold Glove award for his arm power. In april hit a mark of eight triples achieved with Camagüey.
Also in the United States is the receiver from Camagüey Julio César Nogueras. This athlete made “the well-trodden journey from Nicaragua,” according to the La Comarca de Los Toros Facebook page. By 2023 he will try to focus on his career in the world of baseball.
The other hope for Cuba in the World Classic is Onelkis García, who in the Major Leagues played with Dodgers and Kansas, as well as a stint in the Japanese league
Before these departures, there was that of former pitcher Ifreidi Coss who is in Mexico waiting to be able to reach the US. On the Island he worked as a coach and made his debut in the National Series at the age of 18. in 120 innings he struck out 87. “If the right-hander Coss did not obtain the Rookie of the Year award, it was because of the record season that Kendrys Morales had”, public FR Baseball!
Injuries after 2007 were the main obstacle for Coss to maintain his numbers, so after 2010 he decided to end his sports career.
“I injured my arm and then other things happened. I did not have enough support to rehabilitate myself well, first Uberto Beltrán treated me and it went well, but the required follow-up was not given to said injury, perhaps due to professional jealousy,” he said in a chance to the newspaper Escambray.
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