The Cuba under-28 baseball team today revealed its official roster for the category’s World Championship, scheduled to take place from 5th to 14th September in Okinawa, Japan.
Under the direction of the tunero Abeicy Pantoja, the youth players will arrive at the event following a demanding preparation process that included matches against teams from the National Series. The squad mixes emerging talent and figures who already shine in their provinces.
The team was formed by the catchers Yaidel Ruiz (Mayabeque) and Jochey Ray Jiménez (Sancti Spíritus) and the infielders Javier Zambrano (Camagüey), Samuel Matos (Santiago de Cuba), Leandro Pérez (Sancti Spíritus), Jonathan Moreno (Villa Clara, captain), Duliesky Ferrán (Havana) and Dainiel Santos (Villa Clara).
In the outfield will be Yoan Águila (Villa Clara), Frederich Cepeda (Sancti Spíritus), Juan Pablo Gutiérrez (Havana), Yordan Artiles (Cienfuegos) and Dairon Suárez (Las Tunas).
As pitchers were called Leandro Forteza and Jesús López (Sancti Spíritus), Marlon García (Pinar del Río), Diosdenys Pentón (Villa Clara), Edurman and Edenis Cruz (Camagüey) and Richard Bouquet (Holguín).
The technical group is completed by Alexis Belén (bench coach), David Pérez (third), Alexis Moré (first), Yoan Mollinedo and Orelvis Ávila (pitching coaches), as well as Doctor Roger Manuel Núñez.
The Cuban selection will share group A alongside Japan, South Korea, Puerto Rico, Italy and South Africa, a segment considered one of the strongest of the tournament. The top three from each group will advance to the Super Round, where powers like the United States and Chinese Taipei enter the fray. Cuba, the historical maximum winner of these championships with 11 titles, has not won one since 2004. The United States has 10 crowns, Korea five and Taipei three, whilst Japan will defend its only sceptre achieved in 2023.
Tomorrow Friday, at the Latinoamericano stadium, the team will receive the national flag before undertaking the journey to Japanese lands, with the mission of returning the Island to the youth baseball podium.
