AREQUIPA, Peru – The Cuban Baseball and Softball Federation announced on Wednesday the pre-selection of 60 baseball players who will participate in the third edition of the Premier 12 Tournament, among them several Cubans with residence abroad.
In the list published by the state media Cubadebate The presence of five players who once set foot on the American Major League field, seven with experience in the Minor Leagues, six in Japanese professional baseball and two who remain active in the farm system of that Asian circuit stands out.
The pre-selection group is completed by 14 athletes who at some point in their careers have signed a professional contract in other foreign leagues and 26 who play in the National Series.
The coaching staff that will lead the team is headed by Armando Johnson, who also led the way in the last World Classic. The bench coach will be Germán Mesa, the assistants Rafael Muñoz and Armando Ferrer, and the pitching coaches Pedro Luis Lazo and José Elosegui.
The Premier 12, a tournament The tournament, which replaced the IBAF Baseball World Cup and includes the top 12 teams in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) rankings, will be played from November 10 to 24 in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico.
Cuba is included in Group B, which will be played in Japan and Taiwan, and which also includes South Korea, Australia and the Dominican Republic.
This is the third time the Cubans have participated in these tournaments, but they have never managed to place among the top four.
Shortlist:
With experience in Major Leagues: 5
Erisbel Aruebarrena (JC), Alexei Ramirez (JC, Yoan Lopez (L), Yoan Moncada (J) and Ronald Bolanos (L).
With experience in Minor Leagues: 7
Yadil Mujica (JC), Lazaro Armenteros (J), Yadir Dreke (JC/J), Roberto S. Baldoquin (JC), Ernesto Martinez (J), Jean Walter Valdes (JC) and Yusnel Padron (L).
With experience in the Japanese League: 6
Ariel Martínez (R/JC), Christian Rodriguez (JC), Alfredo Despaigne (J), Liván Moinelo (L), Raidel Martínez (L) and Roel Santos (J).
With experience in farm system (Japan): 2
Frank A. Álvarez (L) and Darío Sarduy (L).
With experience in other professional leagues: 14
Rafael Viñales (R/JC), Luis V. Mateo (JC), Guillermo Avilés (JC), Dayan García (JC), Raico Santos (J), Yoelquis Guibert (J), Yoenni Yera (L), Yankiel Mauri (L ), Raymond Figueredo (L), Frank L. Medina (L), Geonel Gutiérrez (L), Maykel Taylor (L), Yusnel Padrón and Erlys Casanova (L). With experience in National Series: 26
(R) Andy Cosme (R) Yosvani Alarcon (JC/R) Jorge Y. Rojas (R) William Saavedra (JC) Yuliesky Remon (JC) Tailon Sanchez (JC) Denis Pena (J) Jose A. Norona (J) Over L. Cremet (J) Francisco Martinez (J) Yasser J. Gonzalez (J) Ariel Hechavarria (J) Eduardo Blanco (J) Yosiel Serrano (L) Osdany Rodriguez (L) Enyer Fernandez (L) Andy Vargas (L) Danny Betancourt (L) Frank Herrera (L) Randy Cueto (L) Branlis Rodriguez (L) Pavel Hernandez (L) Leodan Reyes (L) Randy Martinez (L) Carlos de la Tejera (J)
