Their is a phrase that continues to generate discussion and Ariel Martínez touched on a topic many players have mentioned: managing in the National Series is not the same as managing elite talent in professional leagues and competing at the highest international level.
Modern baseball demands strategy, technology, bullpen management, advanced game reading, and constant adaptation. And that’s where the gap is evident. Are the coaches in the Cuban system prepared for the modern baseball of 2025?
Martínez had this to say about the topic to the colleague Henry Morales during an interview,”I believe that the managers of the Cuban team are tremendous baseball managers, but they are tremendous baseball managers for the Cuban league, for our league, they They are very good and who have had very good results, but it is for that type of baseball.”
“I think that when they have to face a better opponent who is totally different, who is more modern opponent and doesn’t play the way you play they struggle.”
The opinion of players who compete outside the island carries weight… a lot. Martínez, who has played the last six seasons in the Nippon League with the Chunichi Dragons and Nippon Ham Fighters has seen his share of professional coaching.
It seems that Cuba has heard the young slugger’s advice. For the upcoming Copa América they have enlisted the services of Omar Linares (Chunichi Dragons)as the hitting coach and Noelvis González (Italian Baseball League), no for the World Baseball Classic they will include these coaches and Mexican League pitching guru Jesus Manso as well.
Although it is an uncomfortable topic ,especially in a country that restricts free speech such as Cuba, it is the unadulterated truth and is being addressed in a way. In order for Cuban baseball to survive it must evolve and transition into not only the professional game, but also embrace modern technology or be left behind.
Cuba coaching staff:
Manager : Germán Mesa
Bench Coach: Noelvis González
Pitching Coach: Pedro Luis Lazo, Jesús Bosmenier
First Base Coach:
Third Base Coach: Rafael Muñoz
Cuba 60 man roster:
Catchers (5):
Andrys Pérez (MTZ)
Yosvany Alarcón (LTU)
Andi Cosme (ART)
Harold Vázquez (SCU)
Yohangel La O (IND)
Infielders (13):
Erisbel Arruebarrena (CFG)
Jean Baldoquín (LTU)
Alexei Ramírez (PRI)
Luis Vicente Mateo (CFG)
Christian Rodríguez (VCL)
Tailon Sánchez (PRI)
Ángel Alfredo Hechavarría (IND)
Ariel Hechevarría (IND)
Jeison Martínez (SCU)
Yulieski Remón (GRA)
Yoel Yanqui (SCU)
Lázaro Cedeño (HOL)
Yordanis Samón (CMG)
Outfielders (12):
Alfredo Despaigne (GRA)
Yoelkis Guibert (SCU)
Roel Santos (GRA)
Yasiel González (HOL)
Dennis Laza (MAY)
Francisco Martínez (SCU)
Leonel Moas (CMG)
Carlos Monier (SCU)
Juan Carlos Negret (Free Agent)
Raidel Sánchez (SCU)
Frederich Cepeda (SSP)
Yasser Izaguirre (LTU)
Pitchers (27):
Yoennis Yera (MTZ)
Pavel Hernández (IND)
Armando Dueñas (MTZ)
Raymond Figueredo (IND)
José Grandales (SSP)
Frank Herrera (IND)
Randy Román Martínez (Chunichi, PRI)
Yadián Martínez (MAY)
Yankiel Mauris (SSP)
Frank Luis Medina (PRI)
Yoel Mojena (GRA)
Yusniel Padrón Artiles (Agente Libre)
Rafael Orlando Perdomo (IND)
Leodán Manuel Reyes (PRI)
Osdany Rodríguez (VCL)
Darío Sarduy (Soft Bank, VCL)
Andy Vargas (IND)
Marlon Vega (MAY)
Ariel Zerquera (SSP)
Yunier Batista (CAV)
Sammi Benítez (GRA)
José Ignacio Bermúdez (MAY)
Eliander Bravo (LTU)
Fernando Betanzo (SSP)
Michel Cabrera (HOL)
Yunieski García (ART)
Geonel Gutiérrez (ART)