World No. 3 Cuba aiming for WBSC Premier12 crown
<p>HAVANA — The Cuban Baseball Federation has revealed its selection of players who will represent world No. 3 Cuba in the first-ever WBSC Premier12™ global competition that is bringing the Top 12 nations in baseball to Japan and Taiwan from 8-21 November.</p>
<p>Cuban baseball legend and 1992 Olympic gold medallist Victor Mesa has been named manager and has called on the nation’s leading players to win the 2015 international baseball crown.</p>
<p>Cuba will feature top talent such as 2014 Cuban National Series MVP Yosvani Torres, 2004 Olympic gold medallist Yulieski Gourriel and 2008 Olympic silver medallist Alfredo Despaigne (Chiba Lotte Marines – NPB).</p>
<p>“Our objectives are clear,” Mesa stated, “to arrive in Japan [for the semi-finals and finale] and fight for gold.”</p>
<p>Cuba will compete in Taiwan in Group A and will have to face host and world No. 4 Chinese Taipei, No. 5 Netherlands, No. 7 Canada, No. 9 Puerto Rico and No. 11 Italy. The four best from Group A will be paired with the four best from Group B in the quarter-final knockout stage.</p>
<p>Cuba’s first Premier12 global battle will be against Canada, the 2015 Pan-Am Games champions, at Taichung Intercontinental Stadium on Tuesday, 10 November.</p>
<p>In preparing for Premier12, world No. 8 South Korea (Group B) will host Cuba for two games that will officially open the new Gocheok Sky Dome, the first domed baseball stadium in the nation, on 4-5 November.</p>
<p><strong>CUBAN NATIONAL TEAM PREMIER12 ROSTER</strong></p>
<p><strong>Pitchers (13)</strong>: Yosvani Torres, Yoanni Yera, Danny Betancourt, Freddy Asiel Álvarez, Frank Monthiet, Alberto Bicet, Yoalkis Cruz, Jonder Martínez, Norberto González, Liván Moinello, Yunier Cano, José Ángel García, Héctor Mendoza (Yomiuri Giants – NPB)</p>
<p><strong>Catchers (3)</strong>: Osvaldo Vázquez, Yosvani Alarcón, Frank Camilo Morejón</p>
<p><strong>Infielders (5)</strong>: Yasiel Santoya, Alexander Malleta, Yorbis Borroto, Yordan Manduley, Yurisbel Gracial, Yulieski Gourriel, Rudy Reyes</p>
<p><strong>Outfielders (5)</strong>: Alfredo Despaigne, Julio Pablo Martínez, Stayler Hernández, Lourdes Yunieski Gourriel, Yunieski Gourriel</p>