In the 5th Edition of the World Baseball Classic, the Cuban national team was able to call upon players who were not affiliated with the Cuban Baseball Federation, including those playing in professional baseball in the United States.
Luis Robert Jr., Yoan Moncada, and Andy Ibáñez were the three players with active contracts with Major League organizations who attended the event with Cuba. They were joined by others who were signed in Caribbean Leagues and Asia such as Lorenzo Quintana, Ronald Bolaños, Roenis Elías, Onelki García, Elian Leyva, Yoenis Céspedes, and Miguel Romero.
Cuba also counted on a few players still belonging to the Cuban Baseball Federation. At the time players such as Yariel Rodríguez, Liván Moinelo, Frank Abel Álvarez, Raidel Martínez, and Roel Santos were also signed to professional teams in Japan and México.
Luis Robert Jr. was the most prominent player attending with Cuba in this tournament. In addition to playing in MLB with the Chicago White Sox, it was unprecedented for major leaguers to represent Cuba in international events.
In the Classic, Robert Jr. did not have his best performance after not arriving in his best shape. However, he went on to have one of his best seasons in Major League Baseball with the Chicago White Sox, swatting 75 extra-base hits (36 doubles, 1 triple, and 38 home runs) and driving in 80 runs.
During 2024, injuries have affected him again, and he has only played 34 games with the pale holes, who are the worst team in the league. In spite of that, Robert has already hit 10 home runs and could be traded to a postseason-contending team before the trade deadline.
It’s been a tough season for you and the team.
It’s no surprise that everyone knows we haven’t had the best season, but as an athlete, you go out and give your best on the field, which is what I’m doing.
You were stellar in 2023, but also got injured early this season. How did you persevere that?
It was really tough because I had worked hard in the offseason. My mentality was to show that I could play without getting injured. It’s super frustrating that it happened once again.
There are trade rumors swirling that include you. What do you think about that?
I’m ready. If the team decides to trade me, I’ll go to another team, but I’m not thinking about that. You can’t predict the future. Wherever I am, I’ll give my best.
We saw you working a lot on defense in practice.
Whenever I’m the road and come to a park I don’t know well, I go out to check the lights and things. In the Classic, I realized there are very few lights.
Q: Offensively, it seems you’re adjusting.
This game makes you adjust day by day. It’s very difficult to come back from a two-month injury and get back in the timing of the pitches. It’s no secret that the pitches are quite difficult to decipher, but we’re getting there little by little.”
We recently saw a controversial play in Cleveland to close out the game. Is there something wrong with your arm?
No, my arm is the same. I think it’s even stronger than before. In the play in Cleveland, I knew who was running. My mentality was: if the play is in front of me, I have a chance; if it’s behind me, I don’t.”
Tell me about playing here in Miami.
This is the second time I’ve played here. This time it’s different, a different environment, I think. The fans are there to say and do what they want. My job is to play baseball.
How do you remember your participation in the Classic?
The Classic, personally and professionally, was a very beautiful experience. It was something I had dreamed of, and thank God I was able to fulfill it. I think I’ve achieved my dream, and I don’t think I’ll go in 2026.”