Cuban slugger Ernesto Martínez Jr. will be part of Cuba’s 60-player pool for the upcoming Premier 12, according to his own statements to the ‘Cuba Grand Slam’ YouTube channel recently.
The Holguin,Cuba native currently belongs to the Milwaukee Brewers organization and is at the Double-A with the Biloxi Shukers. He has represented France in international tournaments, including in 2016 he played alongside his father for that country in the World Baseball Classic Qualifier, becoming the first father-son pair to play in the same international tournament.
“It is true that I will be with Cuba, my father has always been close to me in my career and through him the arrangements were made for my participation in the Premier 12,” said Martínez Jr. in response to a question from the Cuba Grand Slam panelist, Luis Javier Rodríguez.
“I can join the team directly, I don’t think I can go to train in Cuba. I will join the team in the middle of the winter season.I have to be with the team that signs me this winter and I can’t waste time. I have to continue improving myself as a player. I need to better my hitting and defense. I will more than likely join the team directly in Asia very close to the commencement of the tournament,” added Martínez in the conversation about the Premier.
The “Brew Crew’s” prospect has seen action in a total of 99 games in 2024 with Biloxi in Double-A, in which he has a slash line of .269/.350/.451/.801, with 98 hits in 364 at-bats, 26 doubles, two triples, 12 home runs, and 53 RBIs. Martínez can play various positions and could be a valuable player either in the infield or outfield for the Cuban squad.