In a broadcast on Cuban Television, authorities of the Cuban Baseball Federation presented this Wednesday the Cuban team al V World Baseball Clasicowhich will be held in four cities in Asia and America from March 8 to 21, 2023.
Two catchers, eight infielders, six outfielders and 14 pitchers They are part of the 30-player roster that will debut against the Netherlands on March 8.
The 30 of the Cuba team
Receivers (2)
- Andrys Perez Garcia
- Lorenzo Quintana Fernandez
Infielders (8)
- Ariel Martinez Marrero
- Andy Ibanez Velazquez
- Bárbaro Erisbel Arruebarruena Escalante
- Luis Vicente Mateo Terry
- Dayan Garcia Ortega
- Yoan Manuel Moncada Olivera
- Yadil Orestes Mujica Diaz
- Yadir Drake Dominguez
Gardeners (6)
- Yoelkis Guibert Stiven
- Roel Santos Martinez
- Luis Robert Moirán
- Yoennis Cespedes Milanes
- Alfredo Despaigne Rodriguez
- Yurisbel Gracial Garcia
Launchers (14)
- Elian Leyva Delgado (D)
- Yoennis Yera Montalvo (Z)
- Livan Moinelo Pita (Z)
- Carlos Juan Viera Alvarez (D)
- Raidel Martinez Perez (D)
- Yariel Humberto Rodríguez Yordy (D)
- Frank Abel Alvarez Diaz (D)
- Naykel Yoel Cruz Zaldivar (Z)
- Roenis Elias Leliebre
- Onelkis García (Z)
- José Ramón Rodríguez Menéndez (D)
- Yeudis Reyes Gamboa (D)
- Ronald Bolaños Coto (D)
- Luis Miguel Romero Mansfarroll (D)
Reservations
- Pavel Rafael Quesada Pedroso (reserve)
- Raico Santos Almeida (reserve)
- Lázaro Robersy Armenteros Arango (reserve)
- Marlon Vega Naughty (D) (reserve)
- Javier Mirabal Espinosa (reserve)
- Franklyn Quintana Gamboa (D) (reserva)
- Alexander Valiente Rodríguez (D) (reserve)
Until February 7, adjustments can be made to the 30-player roster.
technical body
DT: Armando Johnson.
Coach bank: Germán Mesa Fresneda.
Physical trainer: Humberto Guevara Yervilla.
Hitting Coach: Orestes Kindelán Olivares.
Pitching coaches: Pedro Luis Lazo Iglesias and José Elósegui Sánchez.
Coaches of lines: Armando Ferrer Ruz and Rafael Muñoz Medina.
Of the total selected, 21 make their debut for Cuba in the World Classics. Meanwhile, Alfredo Despaigne is the player with the most appearances, with four.
Sports authorities reported that the reserve group will also make the trip to Japan for the preparatory matches.
During the space, Pedro Luis Lazo affirmed that “we have made a complete, quality team. We’re just waiting for the Clásico to start.”
For his part, Johnson thanked the Inder presidency for the support given. “It has been fundamental, as has the technical group with which we are working. I am very happy with what I have seen so far in training”.
Later, in statements to the press, he explained the change of outfielder Yadir Drake to an infielder. “Drake will play first base, a position he has previously played and in which he has seen potential during training.”
Regarding the non-inclusion of Rafael Viñales, the most outstanding player in the Elite League final, the director of the Cuba team assured that his case was evaluated. “We know that he is versatile, like Avilés, but the group opted for the chosen ones, with plenty of merits. I consider that this proposal is well founded”.
As for the competition, the mentor from Pinero stressed that the objective is to go game by game and fight for the pass to the second phase.
“We are focused and what we will look for is a basic job to face the first round. The set is well prepared. Although some are not yet, due to commitments in their clubs, they have mastery and in due course they will join and integrate as much as possible. The compatibility of the selection will be good”, he added.
Liván Moinelo declared that he feels very encouraged for the Clásico. “We will fight,” he said. In a section with the accredited journalists, he stated that he was happy to be part of the Cuba team again. “It’s my second World Classic and I have the commitment to pitch as well as possible to help the cast and try to reach the second phase.”
On the importance of working on control, being a left-handed pitcher, Moinelo commented that he perfects his throws and performs coordination exercises to be more effective.
Despaigne highlighted the fact that the team brings together young and veteran players. “That is very important for our country to return to the stellar planes of international baseball.”
Regarding the role of the most experienced, he said that “we have to help the boys and explain to them what a World Classic is like, so that they arrive at the competition with a good vision.
“Let’s hope everything works out. And I can tell you that, as I see them in training, they don’t need a lot of psychological work, because they are in excellent shape and have played baseball in Cuba and in other countries. We’ve already talked about it: the mentality is to play without worries and go out and have fun in every game”.
Catcher Andrys Pérez, one of the young rookies, aged 21, confessed that representing Cuba in a World Classic is a dream come true, a goal he set himself since he was a child. “Since elementary school, I knew that baseball was my path. Reaching the national team, and even more to go to a Clásico, fills me with pride.
“I feel physically prepared, it is a competition that requires great intensity. I am ready to face any responsibility. I will do my best so that the team obtains the good result that our people need so much”.
The television program was attended by the four-time Olympic champion Mijaín López, the multi-laureate parathlete Omara Durand and the president of Inder, Osvaldo Vento Montiller.
Television program in which the Cuban roster for the V World Classic was presented. Photo: Cubadebate.
