Many fans of the Cuban National Team and the media in Cuba wanted know why Yasmany Tomás was not on the island’s 60 man roster for the Premier 12. The slugger might have added more power to lineup that already includes Yoán Moncada, Alfredo Despaigne and Lázaro Armenteros.
When posed the question Cuban Federation President Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo had this to say,” In the case of Yasmany Tomás we did a technical analysis and it was understood for the position he plays and the he would fill on this team he was not necessary for our team in this tournament. Because of the shape he is in and how he finished the Serie Nacional he was not the right fit.”
“Tomás can play first base and also be our designated hitter. With the players we have on our roster that can fill that role I do not think he was necessary for our team. We have Alexei Ramírez, Yadir Drake and Ariel Martínez to possibly fill those roles.”
The slugger is coming off two straight winter campaigns with Los Cañeros de Los Mochis of the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico in which he swatted 20 homeruns and knocked 92 runs in route to a league MVP in 2023. But this season in the Serie Nacional he .297 but only slugged a longball in 35 games and 91 at-bats.
Tomás has seen in action in the big leagues with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in he hit .266 with 48 roundtrippers and 163 RBIs, this includes a 31 homer, 32 double season in 2016. The native of Havana should be a big bat for Los Mochis and had offers to play this summer in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol.