Yoanner Negrín is a very experienced pitcher, the Cuban right-hander and ex-Cuban league hurler has pitched in plenty of leagues during his career. The ex two-time Liga Mexicana de Béisbol pitcher of the year will take the mound today against the defending Serie del Caribe champion Tigres del Licey with one goal at hand, win.
Over his career Negrín has won more that 50 games in the LMB and has seen action in the LIDOM, hence why he will face the felines today in Miami for Nicaragua. Negrin will return to México this summer once again with the Leones de Yucatán.
This year in the LBPN the righty had a 6-5 record with a 3.73 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 16 trips to the mound. If anyone can fulfill this tall order fir Nicaragua in the Caribbean classic it is the wily Negrín, with a win Nicaragua wound notch this first victory in tournament history.
Yoanner Negrín nos habla sobre su enfrentamiento hoy ante los @TigresdelLicey .#pelotacubana #SerieDelCaribe2024 pic.twitter.com/Ch40ZuOjGK
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) February 2, 2024
What does it mean to pitch here in the Caribbean Series?
I had already pitched in this stadium in 2015, when I came to a Las Americas Series with the Lara Cardinals. But I am very happy, very grateful to God for this experience, for the opportunity he gave me to go play in Nicaragua. I had a good winter there and I was taken into account to represent the country.
Where do you place this in your career?
I would put it at number two, because in 2013 I participated in a World Classic with Spain. But this would be a second position because it is something very nice, being recognized as one of the best players of the winter leagues and being part of this is something very important. I’m going to take advantage, go out and enjoy this opportunity. I hope to contribute my grain of sand for a victory.
How do you value the fact of knowing you are capable of pitching in any country?
Daily work, dedication, discipline, those are things that have allowed me to pitch wherever and whenever. I have always been very cerebral in many aspects of the game. Sometimes things haven’t gone well, because that’s part of baseball. Sometimes you receive criticism and that motivates me. I try to do my best so that those people see that they were wrong and that these are just bad moments.
What does it mean to pitch in front of so many Cubans?
I left there and have never been back. I stayed here in Miami and I have played in Mexico, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic amongst other places. The truth is that being able to be here in front of your countrymen who may have not seen you before is a blessing. Also to hear them say, how good you are because you continue to pitch after so many years is very nice.
Against the Dominican Republic you will face ex-Matanzas teammate Yadiel Hernández, are you prepared to face him?
I have faced Yadiel in live batting practices in Miami. He is a good hitter and you have to watch out for him, because he can hit a home run at any time. You have to come out focused. In the game he is my enemy, afterward we are brothers.