The Cuban National Team could be very hamstrung for a litany of reasons in the upcoming Copa América next month in Panamá. A boatload of players have either declined to play because of winter commitments, been declined participation by the MLB club or have had to bow out due to injury.
With only players not on an MLB 40-man roster allowed to play in the tournament Cuba received commitments from Jean Walters (DBacks) and Yiddi Cappé (Marlins), but their teams denied them permission to participate in the upcoming tournament.
Their projected third baseman Roberto Baldoquín injured his knee during an at-bat with Las Tunas in the Serie Nacional and will have miss the tournament due to injury. Today the island announced its roster for the upcoming tournament.
The team which will be headed up by primarily Serie Nacional players with a smattering of winter league pros and Nippon league minor leaguers. Yoelkis Guibert and Yoel Yanqui will provide the power in team’s lineup, while Roel Santos will more than likely be the leadoff hitter. The ageless Alfredo Despaigne will more than likely hit cleanup for the squad.
The rotation will be headed up by Darío Sarduy (SoftBank Hawks), Pavel Hernández and ex-Astros prospect Yusniel Padrón, while Yunieski García and Yoennis Yera will round out the rotation.
The bullpen will be led by lefty Randy Martínez (Chunichi Dragons), Frank Medina, Yadian Martínez and Geonel Gutiérrez. Armando Dueñas will probably be the team’s closer.
Raider Sánchez Cuba’s top prospect will provide power off the bench or might even start, while Luis Mateo and Tailon Sánchez will provide versatility in the infield. Experienced Andy Cosme will be the team’s backup catcher and the experienced Leonel Maas and Francisco Martínez will be squad’s backup outfielders.
In conclusion this team could be one of Cuba’s weakest teams in an international tournament based on the competition the could face. In a group will Venezuela, México and the Dominican Republic the Antilleans might have an uphill battle to advance to the second round.
This will be Cuba’s team for the upcoming Americas Cup:
Catchers:
Andrys Pérez
Andy Cosme
Infielders:
Erisbel Arruebarrena
Cristian Rodríguez
Luis V. Mateo
Tailon Sánchez
Alexei Ramírez
Yoel Yanqui
Outfielders:
Yoelkis Guibert
Roel Santos
Alfredo Despaigne
Leonel Moas
Francisco Martínez
Raider Sánchez
Pitchers:
Pavel Hernández
Frank L. Medina
Darío Sarduy
Yoennis Yera
Armando Dueñas
Yunier Batista
José I. Bermúdez
Yuniesky García
Yusniel Padrón-Artiles
Randy Martínez
Yadián Martínez
Michel Cabrera
Geonel Gutiérrez