Armando Johnson has been named as the manager of the Cuban national team for the Premier12 world tournament, with a significant pre-selection of 60 players being unveiled

The president of the Cuban Baseball Federation, Mr. Juan Reinaldo Pérez Pardo, announced on Wednesday that manager Armando Johnson will continue to lead the Cuban national team in the upcoming third edition of the Premier12 world tournament. Furthermore, a group of 60 players has been chosen to start their preparation for the upcoming event this coming Monday. Johnson, who led the Cuban team to the semifinals of the 2023 World Baseball Classic, is determined to improve Cuba's performance after finishing in 10th place in the 2019 edition of the tournament. It is important to mention that Cuba's highest placement in this competition was sixth in the first edition held in 2015.

Johnson has been leading the island's main team for three years in a row. He was first appointed in 2022 to oversee Cuba in the IV edition of the Caribbean Cup, where the team finished in 2nd place. In 2023, he managed the team in the V World Baseball Classic (4th place), the V Caribbean Cup (1st place), as well as the baseball tournaments in the Central American and Caribbean Games (2nd place) and the Pan American Games (6th place).

The Premier12 tournament, organized by the WBSC (World Baseball and Softball Confederation), is scheduled to take place from November 9 to 24 across Mexico (Group A), Chinese Taipei (Group B), and Japan (Final Round or Super Round). It will showcase the top 12 teams globally, as per the WBSC world ranking.

In Group B, Cuba (ranked 8th) will be joined by Japan (ranked 1st), South Korea (ranked 4th), Chinese Taipei (ranked 5th), the Dominican Republic (ranked 9th), and Australia (ranked 11th).

Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Round, making it a tough challenge for the Cubans. They will aim to secure a spot by competing fiercely against at least two Asian teams, Japan and South Korea, and the Caribbean team from the Dominican Republic, whose performance level is still unknown for this Premier12 edition.

As per the preliminary selection announcement, the standout name on the list is MLB third baseman Yoán Moncada, currently playing for the Chicago White Sox in the American League. Moncada, who was part of the Cuban roster in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, has been sidelined for most of the 2024 season due to injury. Additionally, he would need approval from his team to confirm his participation in the upcoming tournament. While Moncada's potential inclusion would be a positive development for the national team, the likelihood of him being able to compete is slim, given the need for permission from his major league team.

Among the players who have been announced, the pitchers Liván Moinelo and Raidel Martínez are notable for their presence. They are both foreign stars from the Japanese Professional League (NPB) and are expected to take on the roles of the team's top starting pitcher and closer, respectively.

The extensive list that has been unveiled includes many individuals who have experience in MLB, Japan, and different Caribbean leagues. The participation of these experienced players may significantly impact the island team's performance in the tournament. Yet, it is presently difficult to predict which players will make the cut for the final roster.

Before the tournament, the Cuban team has a preparation schedule with the following dates marked as the most crucial:

September 16: Commencement of team preparations at the Latinoamericano stadium

October 16: Departure to South Korea, scheduled to arrive on October 18

October 20-26: Conducting training sessions

October 28-30: Engaging in three preparation matches against teams from the minor leagues of the Korean Professional League (KBO)

November 3: Arrival in Taichung City, Chinese Taipei

November 4: Designated training day

November 5-7: Competing in three preparation games against teams from the Chinese Taipei Industrial League

November 8: Arrival in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei

November 10-11: Participation in exhibition matches

November 12: Designated training day

November 13: Commencement of the Premier12 tournament

The journey towards the Premier12 in 2024 has just commenced for the Cuban team, with anticipated player cuts from the preselected squad in the upcoming two months.

In summary, here is the list of 60 players that was unveiled yesterday.

CUBAN PRE ROSTER FOR THE 2024 PREMIER12

PITCHERS (25): Yoan López, Ronald Bolaños, Yusnel Padrón, Liván Moinelo, Raidel Martínez, Frank A. Álvarez, Darío Sarduy, Yoenni Yera,  Yankiel Mauri, Raymond Figueredo, Frank Luis Medina, Geonel Gutiérrez, Maykel Taylor, Erlys Casanova, Yosiel Serrano, Osdany Rodríguez, Enyer Fernández, Andy Vargas, Danny Betancourt, Frank Herrera, Randy Cueto, Branlis Rodríguez, Pavel Hernández, Leodán Reyes, and Randy Martínez.  

CATCHERS (6): Andrys Pérez, Andy Cosme, Yosvani Alarcón, Jorge Y. Rojas, Ariel Martínez, and Rafael Viñales. 

INFIELDERS (15): Erisbel Arruebarrena, Alexei Ramírez, Yoan Moncada, Yadil Mujica, Christian Rodríguez, Roberto Baldoquín, Ernesto Martínez, Jean Walter Valdés, William Saavedra, Yuliesky Remón, Tailon Sánchez, Osvaldo Abreu, Luis V. Mateo, Guillermo Avilés, and Dayán García. 

OUTFIELDERS (14): Denis Peña, José A. Noroña, Over L. Cremet, Francisco Martínez, Yasser Julio González, Ariel Hechavarría, Eduardo Blanco, Yadir Drake, Carlos de la Tejera, Roel Santos, Raiko Santos, Alfredo Despaigne, Lázaro Armenteros, and Yoelkis Guibert. 

The Premier12 tournaments were first held in 2015, with South Korea emerging victorious by defeating Japan and the USA in the semi-final and final matches, respectively. This victory marked the inaugural event, where Cuba reached the quarter-final round, securing a 6th place finish, their best result in these tournaments. Fast forward four years, Japan sought revenge and clinched the title for the first time by defeating the reigning champions in the final. Mexico contended for the bronze against Team USA, with all three medal-winning teams securing direct qualification to the baseball tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

SCHEDULE FOR THE PREMIER12 QUALIFYING Round