As the World Baseball Classic nears, plenty of Cuban players have come out of the woodwork to voice their interest in representing the country in the upcoming tournament. Cuba has filled in premium positions in the coming days getting a commitment from various interested players.
In a conversation we had a few days ago on social media, Marlins infielder Yiddi Cappé let me know that he’s available and willing to play for Cuba in the next World Baseball Classic. While sources have confirmed to me that Mariners minor league outfielder Víctor Labrada and Diamondbacks pitcher Denny Larrondo have also given Cuba a yes for the upcoming WBC.
Cappé who has played in 41 games this year in A+ and Rookie ball is hitting .280 with four longballs, 16 runs batted in and is slashing .341/.409/.749 for the Marlins’ minor league affiliates. The 22-year-old infielder could be in the hunt for the shortstop position.
Labrada was promoted to Triple-A yesterday by the Mariners after .295 with homeruns, 27 runs batted in, 30 stolen bases and slashed .407/.427/.834. The speedster without a doubt would be the team’s starting centerfielder in the tournament.
In the case of Larrondo he could either be a spot starter or a long reliever for the Antilleans. In 11 starts for the Diamondbacks’ Class A affiliate Visalia he sports a 1-3 record and 4.06 earn run average. In 51 innings pitched he has also fanned 57 batters on the campaign.
Players non-affiliated with the Cuban Federation that have said yes to Cuba for the World Baseball Classic:
Andy Pagés OF (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Yoan Moncada IF (Los Angeles Angels)
Jan Carlos Hechavarría RHP (Los Angeles Angels)
Andy Ibáñez IF (Detroit Tigers)
Daysbel Hernández RHP (Atlanta Braves)
Ernesto Martínez IF-OF (Milwaukee Brewers)
Omar Hernández C (Kansas City Royals)
Alexander Vargas IF (New York Yankees)
Yiddi Cappé IF (Miami Marlins)
Denny Larrondo RHP (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Victor Labrada OF (Seattle Mariners)
Robert Roilan Portuondo RHP (Pirates)
Andrew Pérez LHP (Charros de Jalisco)