Three more pitchers have been confirmed by our sources that will be on Cuba’s 35-man roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Right-handers Pedro Santos and Emmanuel Chapman have said yes to the FCB, while left-hander Julio Robaina will be on the squad as well. On the other hand RHP Jorge Marcheco opted to go to Spring Training with Oakland and Free Agent Randy Labaut was actually left of the roster.
Pedro Santos included in the 35-man preliminary roster presented by Cuba for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Santos is a 26-year-old pitcher from Sancti Spíritus with five seasons of experience in the minor leagues. In 2024, he pitched for much of the season in Triple-A. During 2025, he politched at Double-A and also with the Gigantes de Carolina in the Puerto Rican Winter League. The hurler is characterized as a reliever with good velocity who can contribute significantly to the Cuban team from the bullpen.
Julio Robaina, part of Cuba’s preliminary roster of 35 players for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. At just 24 years old, he boasts extensive experience in professional leagues. In the minor league system with the Houston Astros, he showed great consistency in Double-A and even pitched at the Triple-A level, just one step away from the Major Leagues. He also has experience in the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Mexico (both professional leagues). He is currently being scouted by several MLB organizations. Robaina could be a strong candidate to be one of Cuba’s starting pitchers in the upcoming World Baseball Classic or serve as a long reliever. He is characterized as a pitcher with a diverse repertoire and excellent stamina.
Emmanuel Chapman as well will be part of the preliminary roster for the Cuban national team heading to the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He belongs to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and has pitched at the Double-A level (Altoona). Over the last two seasons in the minor leagues with the Curve, he has a record of 11-4 with a 3.57 ERA (153.2 IP; 61 ER). Opponents have hit .209 against him over the last two campaigns on the farm, and he also notched 152 strikeouts with a 1.22 WHIP. Of his 68 appearances, only 12 have been as a starter. He is a reliever who generally averages two or three innings per outing.
What a Cuban team could look like for the upcoming World Baseball Classic:
Lineup:
Víctor Labrada CF (Seattle Mariners)
Andy Ibáñez 2B (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Andy Pagés RF (Los Angeles Angels)
Yoán Moncada 3B (Free Agent)
Ernesto Martínez Jr 1B (New York Yankees)
Yoelkis Guibert LF (Senadores de Caracas)
Ariel Martínez DH (Nippon Ham Fighters)
Omar Hernández C (Kansas City Royals)
Alexander Vargas(Arizona Diamondbacks)
Rotation:
Liván Moinelo LHP (SoftBank Hawks)
Yariel Rodríguez RHP (Toronto Bluejays)
José Ramón Rodríguez RHP (Caribes de Anzoategui)
Rafael Sánchez RHP (Toronto Bluejays)
Bench:
Yiddi Cappé IF (Miami Marlins)
Andrys Pérez C (Cocodrilos de Matanzas)
Christian Rodríguez SS (Chunichi Dragons)
Yurisbel Gracial Util (Cañeros de Los Mochis)
Roel Santos OF (Olmecas de Tabasco)
Bullpen:
Raidel Martínez RHP (Yomiuri Giants)
Darién Núñez LHP (Algodoneros de Unión Laguna)
Dario Sarduy LHP (SoftBank Hawks)
Daysbel Hernández RHP (Atlanta Braves)
Emmanuel Chapman RHP (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Pedro Santos RHP (Free Agent)
Denny Larrondo RHP (Arizona Diamondbacks)
Randy Martínez LHP (Chunichi Dragons)
Brander Guevara RHP (Cazadores de Artemisa)
Daviel Hurtado LHP (New York Mets)
Julio Robaina LHP (Kansas City Royals)
Silvano Hechavarría RHP (Toronto Bluejays)