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Cuba announces its team for the Olympic qualifier

By Yusseff Diaz

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 12: Frederich Cepeda #24 of Cuba reacts after lining out to center in the 1st inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool E Game One between Cuba and Israel at Tokyo Dome on March 12, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 12: Frederich Cepeda #24 of Cuba reacts after lining out to center in the 1st inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool E Game One between Cuba and Israel at Tokyo Dome on March 12, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images) /
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The largest of the Antilles announced a few hours ago its roster for the Olympic Qualifier in Tempe, Arizona later this month. Here’s a look at team Cuba.

HIALEAH,FL– For the Cubans, the Olympic qualifier begins against Venezuela on March 22. The team will be made up of only players who play in the Cuban National Series.

At catcher, Cuba will count on the bat of Yosvani Alarcón and the glove of Frank Camilo Morejon.

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The Cuban infield will include ex-big leaguer Erisbel Arruebarruena at short and Japanese league star Yurisbel Gracial will man the hot corner for the Cubans. Top prospect Cesar Prieto and the dangerous Yordanis Samón will round out the infield.

The feared Alfredo Despaigne and the slick-fielding Roel Santos are the prominent names in the outfield for the Caribbean islanders, while the young prospect Yoelkis Guibert is a new name to keep an eye on.

The pitching staff will be headed by the experienced Lázaro Blanco and the hard throwing Carlos Juan Viera. Cuban manager Miguel Borroto will have the supersonic arms of Yosimar Cousin, Andy Rodríguez, Raidel Martínez, Yariel Rodríguez and Liván Moinelo at his disposal in the bullpen.

In total, Cuba will have 10 players that are signed by a professional team in the tournament, another name to watch is that of Havana right Bryan Chi who is coming off an impressive showing in the Sub 23 Pre World Championship in Honduras. A tournament in which Cuba finished second.

Though the odds are stacked against Cuba in qualifying for the Olympics, one should never count out a country with such a rich baseball history.

Here I leave you the entire Cuban Roster for the Olympic Qualifier:

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Catchers:

  • Yosvani Alarcón
  • Frank Camilo Morejón
  • Yendri Téllez

Infielders:

  • Yordanis Samón
  • César Prieto (Tabasco Olmecas)
  • Errisbel Arruebarruena
  • Alexander Ayala
  • Yurisbel Gracial  (SoftBank Hawks)
  • Raúl González
  • Dayán García

Outfielders:

  • Alfredo Despaigne(SoftBank Hawks)
  • Frederich Cepeda
  • Roel Santos (Tabasco Olmecas)
  • Yoelkis Guibert (Quebec Capitales)

Pitchers:

  • Lázaro Blanco (Saltillo Saraperos)
  • Carlos Juan Viera (Saltillo Saraperos)
  • Yariel Rodríguez(Chunichi Dragons)
  • Liván Moinelo (SoftBank Hawks)
  • Raidel Martínez(Chunichi Dragons)
  • Yosimar Cousin
  • Bryan Chi
  • Andy Rodríguez
  • Yoanni Yera
  • Frank Luis Medina
  • Yamichel Pérez
  • Yudiel Rodríguez
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