The 2013 World Baseball Classic team was arguably the most talented compilation of players that the island took the tournament, it was certainly the last powerhouse squad that saw the communist nation. It was also a team that greatly underachieved based on the amount of talent assembled.
Between the powerful hitters and talented pitchers that graced the field in that tournament a lot of MLB and NPB teams picked up some talented players that gave them plenty of years of service. Plenty of generational talent was definitely mined off that team by professional organizations.
Hitters such as José Abreu (263 MLB honers), Yuli Gurriel (2021 AL batting champion) and Yasmany Tomás (68 million dollar contract) saw action in the majors. While Alfredo Despaigne, the all-time leader for homers by a Cuban in the NPB and Guillermo Heredia, .342 in the KBO established solid careers in the Asian circuits. José Miguel Fernández also became a star in the KBO by hitting .328 and swatting 723 in four seasons with the Doosan Bears. Although Frederich Cepeda did not have a great performance in Japan with Yomiuri he is probably the most decorated Cuban in the World Baseball.
On the mound the pitchers that saw the least action during the tournament became the mist effective at the next level. Between future MLB signees Odrisamer Despaigne, Raisel Iglesias and Darién Núñez 4⅔ was tossed, yet each won was able to grace the grand stage. Iglesias (253 saves), aside from Aroldis Chapman is the most dominant Cuban closer in the majors over the last 10 years. In the case of Despaigne the right-hander pitched six seasons in MLB, while Núñez pitched one season on the grand stage with the Dodgers.
The Cuban team in the 2013 World Baseball Classic was the only squad to surpass a .900 OPS (.991), collecting 69 hits, 24 of which were for extra bases (~35%):
Doubles (12): Frederich Cepeda (3), José Miguel Fernández (3), Yuli Gurriel (2), José Abreu, Alfredo Despaigne, Raúl González, and Yasmany Tomás.
Triples (1): Frederich Cepeda.
Home Runs (11): José Abreu (3), Alfredo Despaigne (3), Yasmany Tomás (2), Alexei Bell, Frederich Cepeda, and Yuli Gurriel.
Stolen Bases (5): Yuli Gurriel (2), José Abreu, Erisbel Arruebarrena, and Alexei Bell.
Players signed by professional teams:
1B José Abreu (Chicago White Sox)
3B Yuli Gurriel (Houston Astros)
OF Yasmany Tomás (Arizona Diamondbacks)
SS Erisbel Arruebarrena (Los Angeles Dodgers)
LHP Darién Núñez (Los Angeles Dodgers)
2B José Miguel Fernández (Los Angeles Angels)
RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (San Diego Padres)
RHP Raisel Iglesias (Cincinnati Reds)
OF Alexei Bell (Texas Rangers)
IF Andy Ibáñez (Texas Rangers)
OF Guillermo Heredia (Seattle Mariners)
OF Alfredo Despaigne (Chiba Lotte Marines)
DH Frederich Cepeda (Yomiuri Giants)