Yesterday the Cuban Baseball Federation announced its team for the upcoming Premier 12 tournament which will commence on November 9th. The FCB had to fill a couple of unexpected losses with players from their reserve team. Gone are pitchers Ronald Bolaños and Yoán López, while Alexei Ramírez and Ernesto Martínez also decided not to join Team Cuba after initially saying yes.
The Cuban lineup will feature the talented bats of Yoan Moncada, Ariel Martínez, Alfredo Despaigne, Yadir Drake,Erisbel Arruebarrena and the speedy Roel Santos. Yoelkis Guibert, Lázaro Armenteros and Roberto Baldoquín also add depth to the batting order. Christian Rodríguez. Rafael Viñales and Yadil Mujica also add interchangeable parts to Cuba.
The starting pitching which is Cuba’s weak lineup was not only hampered by the loss of Bolaños, also took a blow with the losses of MiLB prospects Rafael Sánchez and Lázaro Estrada due to lack of proper migration documents. SoftBank Hawks’ ace Liván Moinelo will head the staff, while Yoennis Yera, Yusniel Padrón, Dario Sarduy and Raymond Figueredo will round out the rotation.
The team’s bullpen, which will be its strength will be led by the Chunichi Dragons’ star fireman Raidel Martínez. Frank Abel Álvarez will possibly be the team’s setup man, while Frank Luis Medina, Leodan Reyes, Pavel Hernández and Geonel Gutiérrez will also play a big part in the relieving corps.
Catchers (3): Andrys Pérez García, Andy Yaniel Cosme Oliva, Rafael Viñales Álvarez.
Infielders (7): Ariel Martínez Marrero, Bárbaro Erisbel Arruebarruena Escalante, Christian Leandro Rodríguez García, Yoan Moncada Olivera, Roberto Sullivan Baldoquín Martínez, Yadil Orestes Mujica Díaz y Jean Harvi Walters Valdés.
Outfielders (5): Yoelkis Guibert Steven, Lázaro Robersy Armenteros Arango, Alfredo Despaigne Rodríguez, Roel Santos Martínez , Yadir Drake Domínguez.
Pitchers (13): Liván Moinelo Pita, Raidel Martínez Pérez, Leodán Manuel Reyes Lugo, Yoennis Yera Montalvo, Geonel Gutiérrez Jiménez, Yankiel Mauris Gutiérrez, Frank Abel Álvarez Díaz, Raymond Figueredo Cruz, Andy Vargas Lescaille, Frank Luis Medina García, Darío Sarduy Medina, Yusniel Padrón Artiles, Pavel Hernández Bruce