Cuba All-Star Baseball Squads Named

HAVANA TIMES, Feb 15 — The Cuban Baseball Federation revealed on Tuesday the players who will make up the Eastern and Western Cuban All-star Teams, scheduled to face off on February 19 at the Victoria de Giron Stadium in Matanzas Province, reported Prensa Latina.

The player selection was done by a popular vote from among fans, with Sancti Spiritus outfielder Frederich Cepeda obtaining the most votes: 9,062.

Of the 17 teams on the island, only Mayabeque, the Isla de la Juventud and Guantanamo will go unrepresented in the 25th edition of this duel.

The Western team will include catchers Yosvany Peraza and Lisban Correa, while the infield will be filed out with Jose Dariel Abreu (1B), Roberto Carlos Ramirez (SS), Jose Miguel Fernandez (2B), Yulieski Gourriel (3B), Juan Carlos Torriente ( 2B), Rudy Reyes (3B) and Alexander Malleta (1B).

Covering the outfield will be Frederich Cepeda, Irait Chirino Arroyo, Guillermo Heredia, Yadiel Hernandez and Yoelvis Leyva, while Sergei Perez will be the designated batter.

On the mound will be the starting pitchers Jorge Alberto Martinez, Yadier Pedroso, Odrisamer Despaigne, Ismel Jimenez, Yohan Hernandez and Norberto Gonzalez. Relievers making the team are Felix Fuentes, Duniel Ibarra and Jose Angel Garcia.

As for the Eastern team, its catchers will be Yosvani Alarcon and Ariel Pestano, while around the diamond will be Ariel Borrero (1B), Hector Olivera (2B), Yeniet Perez (3B), Yordan Manduley (SS), Marino Luis, Yordanis Samon and Alexander Ayala. The outfielders are Alfredo Despaigne, Rusney Castillo, Andy Zamora, Reutilio Hurtado and Silva Edilse.

Among the pitchers for the Eastern All-stars will be the starters Robelio Carrillo, Alain Sanchez, Yaumier Sanchez, Yasmani Hernandez, Yoelkis Cruz and Alain Dela, with relievers Pablo  M. Fernandez, Yolexis Ulacia and Yadir Rabbi.

The designated hitter for that team will be Rolando Merino.