Aware of the quality of their opponents, with at least two starters already defined, some last-minute roster change, and a lot of self-confidence, the Las Tunas Lumberjacks will depart for Mexico on Sunday to represent Cuba in the Baseball Champions League Americas 2025 (BCL), scheduled for April 8-13.
Havana, Cuba.- This is evident from manager Abeisy Pantoja's statements to the press during the team's first training sessions before taking off for the neighboring nation. "We will face competitive teams, but the 16 games played in the Élite League have been our preparation. We are confident that with the team we have assembled, we will have a good result," he said.
"We have some references on our opponents, based on the statistics provided by the Federation, he added. However, he admitted that they lacked precise scouting. They will take advantage, he explained, of not being the first to take the field to observe the performance of their future opponents. He maintained that they approach the tournament humbly and are aware of their responsibility.
"The players are happy and focused on the challenge we face. Although people talk about Las Tunas, we carry the name of Cuba in our hearts and minds," emphasized the manager of the green-red squad. Other players' inclusion among those available from the Élite League for this Champions League gives them more security in the defensive area.
He confirmed that Yoanis Yera was designated as first starter of the pitching staff, who has been training in Mexico for several days. "We trust in his quality." The second starter will be Andy Vargas, in a bid to leverage the control and speed of the pitcher from the capital, taking into account that they will face the young hitters of the Kane County Cougars, from the United States.
Although the inclusion of pitcher Rubén Rodríguez was not yet confirmed at the time of Pantoja's press conference, the Cuban Baseball Federation later announced that he is traveling with the team. "He replaces Frank Abel Álvarez," he explained, "and his official inclusion on the roster must be approved at the technical conference for the event, which will be held on April 7."
About a possible lineup, Pantoja responded that they are considering some options, as they are still studying choices around third base. He also praised Roel Santos, whose presence on the team, he assured, adds more quality to the Las Tunas and Cuban team.
ROSTER
Catchers: Yosvani Alarcón (LTU), Rafael Viñales (LTU), and Andrys Pérez (MTZ).
Infielders: Denis Peña (LTU), Yordanis Alarcón (LTU), Jean Lucas Baldoquín (LTU), Roberto Baldoquín (LTU), Luis Vicente Mateo (CFG), and Tailon Sánchez (PRI).
Outfielders: Yunieski Larduet (LTU), Héctor Castillo (LTU), Yoelkis Guibert (SCU), and Roel Santos (GRA).
Pitchers: Frank Luis Medina (PRI), Dariel Góngora (CMG), Yoennis Yera (MTZ), Andy Vargas (IND), Yadián Martínez (MAY), Yankiel Mauris (SSP), Alberto Pablo Civil (LTU), Albert Valladares (MAY), Keniel Ferraz (LTU), Rodolfo Díaz (LTU), and Rubén Rodríguez (LTU).
Coaches: Abeysi Pantoja Díaz (manager), Ángel Sosa Argüelles (bench coach), Jorge Isidro Hierrezuelo Tamayo and Javier Campbell González (assistants), Rodolfo Correa Lobaina (pitching coach), and Félix Núñez González (bullpen coach).
