Cuba Announces Haarlem Baseball Team

HAVANA TIMES — The Cuban Baseball Federation announced on Tuesday the 24-player team that will leave for Holland on Wednesday to play at the Haarlem Baseball Week tournament vs. Puerto Rico, USA, Japan, Chinese Taipei and the host Netherlands.

Cuba begins its play on Friday against Puerto Rico and then faces the USA on Sunday. Cuban baseball expert Peter C. Bjarkman will be on hand to bring us his reports.

The Cuban squad features a mix of veterans and younger players with the average age at 26, noted the beisbolcubano.cu website.

Cuts were made based on the performance of the larger shortlist that played a five game exhibition series in Nicaragua in June and the five game series that just concluded in Havana with the USA.

Cuba has not won this every-other-year tournament since 1998, finishing second in five of the last six events.

Catchers (2): Ariel Pestano, Frank Camilo Morejón

Infielders (6): Jose Dariel Abreu, Yulieski Gourriel, Rudy Reyes, Barbaro e. Arruebarruena, Aledmis Diaz and Alexander Guerrero.

Outfielders (6): Alfredo Despaigne, Frederich Cepeda, Rusney Castillo, Guillermo Heredia, Alexei Bell and William Luis.

Pitchers (10): Yadier Pedroso, Odrisamer Despaigne, Dalier Hinojosa, Freddy Asiel Alvarez, Ismel Jimenez, Vladimir Garcia, Norberto Gonzalez, Pablo Millan Fernandez, Darien Nuñez and Leandro Martinez Figueredo.

Coaching Staff: Victor Mesa, manager, coaches, Primitivo Diaz and Angel Castillo.