With an original group of 18 players Kuba began training on Monday at the Estadio Latinoamericanoas part of the preparation for the series of the Americas and the VI. World Baseball Championshiptwo crucial events in the international calendar.
According to the site JIT explained the technical director of the Cuban Baseball Federation, Humberto Guevara the players drafted in this first phase belong to the teams that did not make it into the postseason of the 64th National Series. He stressed that the squad will be gradually expanded once the quarterfinals of the national tournament are completed, depending on the needs identified by the coaching staff.
This process of gradual integration occurs in a context characterized by noticeable absences. In the last few hours it has been confirmed that Major Leaguer Andy Pagés, outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, will not be in the world classic with Cubaa significant loss that deprives the team of a player with elite experience, a two-time World Series champion and potential impact both offensively and defensively.
The news represents a further setback for a selection that nevertheless comes into the competition with the confirmation of an outstanding performance in the previous edition of the Clásico, when they reached the semi-finals, where they were ultimately eliminated by the United States, who ultimately finished runners-up in the tournament.
According to the official calendar, the Series of the Americas will take place in Venezuela from February 5th to 13th, while the World Baseball Classic will be played March 5-16, with Cuba in Group A, which will be played in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Convened for the first preparation phase
Position player
Raidel Sánchez Trutié (Utility / SCU)
Harold Rishes
Luis Vicente Mateo Terry (Infieldspieler / CFG)
Bárbaro Erisbel Arruebarruena Escalante (Infieldspieler / CFG)
Yuliesski Remoón Stages
Alexei Fernando Ramírez Rodríguez (Spieler im Infield / PRI)
Talkon of the Dead Sánchez (Innonenfedspieler / PRI)
Alfredo Despaigne Rodríguez (Outfielder / GRA)
Lion Good (Gärtner / CMG)
Roel Santos Martínez (Gärtner / GRA)
Yoelquis Gibert Steven (Outfielder / SCU)
Yoel Yanqui Vera (Outfielder / SCU)
Launchers
Liván Moinelo Pita (PRI)
Raidel Martínez Pérez (PRI)
Yunier Batista Ramírez (CAV)
Randy Román Martínez Pacheco (PRI)
Frank Abel Outline (PRI)
Frank Luis Medina García (PRI)
As preparation progresses and new additions are defined, Team Cuba will continue to adapt its elements to meet the challenge of competing at the highest international level, despite structural limitations and individual decisions that continue to determine the path to the world classic.
