The Cuban national team has announced its starting pitcher rotation for the upcoming Premier 12 to be held in November. Pitching coach Pedro Luis Lazo revealed this in an interview with Cuban media said that Liván Moinelo of the SoftBank Hawks is expected to pitch as the ace of the team and start first game of the tournament. “Winning the first game is the most important thing,” said Lazo to the media about the importance of starting the tournament on the right foot.
Cuba’s starting rotation will be rounded out by Ronald Bolaños, Yusniel Padrón, Raymond Figueredo, and 18-year-old left-hander Dario Sarduy also of the SoftBank Hawks. Of course, the rotation is subject to change depending on the results of the pre-tournanent games, but this rotation will be a key to Cuba’s chances of advancing past the opening round of the Premier 12.
Noticeably absent from the rotation is left-hander Yoennis Yera, who has plenty of international experience pitching in the World Baseball Classic, other editions of the Premier 12, Central American Games, Pan-Am Games and other tournaments. Yera has also been a top-notch starter in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol, going 13-9 with a 3.49 earned run average over three season. Expect Yera to be in a long relief or spot starter role and possibly ready to step into the rotation if anyone falters.
CUBAN NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER FOR THE PREMIER 12:
CATCHERS:
1- Andrys Pérez
2- Andy Cosme
INFIELDERS:
1- Erisbel Arruebarruena
2- Christian Rodríguez
3- Roberto S. Baldoquín
4- Yadil Mujica
5- Ariel Martínez
6- Jean Walters
7- Yoan Moncada
OUTFIELDERS:
1- Yoelkis Guibert
2- Lázaro A. Armenteros
3- Alfredo Despaigne
4- Roel Santos
5- Yadir Drake
PITCHERS:
1- Liván Moinelo
2- Raidel Martínez
3- Yoenni Yera
4- Yoan López
5- Geonel Gutiérrez
6- Yankiel Mauris
7- Frank Abel Álvarez
8- Darío Sarduy
9- Yusniel Padrón
10- Ronald Bolaños
11- Leodán Reyes
12- Andy Vargas
13- Frank Luis Medina
14- Raymond Figueredo
Taxi Squad Players (Eligible To Travel):
•Rafael Viñales Util
•Tailon Sánchez IF
•Luis Vicente Mateo IF
•Guillermo Avilés IF-OF
•José Amaury Noroña OF
•Pavel Hernández RHP
•Frank Herrera RHP
•Maykel Taylor RHP