Yoel Yanqui, a native of Santiago de Cuba, is one of the players who has already made the final roster for Team Cuba for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The slugger had a great season in the Venezuelan Liga Mayor, the Cuban National Series, and a decent one in the Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League. Yanqui is shaping up to be a key player for the upcoming international events with the largest of the Antilles.
Yanqui is a player who easily connects with the fans because of his dedication on the field. The Cuban native knows what it’s like to be in the Minor League system, in addition to playing in several Caribbean leagues. For the first time, he’s on a final roster for Team Cuba, and his presence in the World Baseball Classic would be a dream come true.
“I want to thank everyone very much for the opportunity you’re giving me to be on the roster for Team Cuba. I feel very proud to be here with these great players. Now I have to give my best in the Serie de las Américas and for the World Baseball Classic”, said the slugger to the Cuban press.
“Before leaving for Nicaragua, I had a great season in the National Series. I’m a player who loves what he does, and I prepare myself thoroughly every day to give my best. That’s the foundation of the good results I had before joining the Indios del Boer.”
“Anyone who has played baseball knows that’s how it is; this is baseball, and I know the kind of player I am. I started slowly adapting to the pitches during the regular season, but I improved, and in the playoffs, I demonstrated my talent by delivering in key moments.”
“Looking at the team and my physical condition, I say yes, I can be in the World Baseball Classic. I have the potential, but it doesn’t depend solely on me. I will give my best in training and in the Serie de las Américas so that they consider me for the Classic.”
“The training sessions have been excellent. Guibert and I arrived from Nicaragua, spent a week at home in Santiago de Cuba, and returned last Tuesday. The chemistry has been very good, which is very important; that everyone is united and working toward the same goal.”
In Nicaragua, Yanqui saw action with the Indios del Boer, participating in 42 games, where he collected 37 hits in 149 official at-bats, for a .248 batting average. The Cuban led the tournament in doubles with 13, in addition to driving in 16 runs and scoring 25 times over his time in the Asociación de Béisbol Profesional Nicaragüense.