Luis Daniel Rodríguez from Holguin will Compete in U-18 Pan American Baseball Championship

Holguin pitcher Luis Daniel Rodríguez has been named to Cuba’s roster for the U-18 Pan American Baseball Championship. Which will take place in the Dominican Republic from the 22nd to the 29th of this month. Also it serves as a qualifier for the 2027 World Cup.

The 20-player squad was announced by journalist Pavel Otero. It includes Luis Daniel as one of the seven pitchers and Dr. Ramiro Pichardo as a member of the three-person medical team.

Moreover talented catcher Adriano López, from Gibara, remained in the preliminary selection until the very last moment. Though ultimately Frank Frías (Granma) and Goar Pérez (Villa Clara) made the final cut.

The infielders include Samuel Matos (Santiago de Cuba); Anthony Navarro and Yamián González (Matanzas). Dariel Cabrera (Granma); and Jorge Luis Valera and César González (Cienfuegos).

Patrolling the outfield for the Cuba U-18 team will be Frederich Cepeda Jr. (Sancti Spiritus). Dairon Michel (Las Tunas), Dairon Espinosa (Granma), and the Villa Clara brothers Anthony and Adrián Rangel.

In addition to Luis Daniel Rodríguez, the pitching staff features Jesús López (Sancti Spiritus), Dayron Reyes (Camagüey), left-handers Chrystofer Sarría (Cienfuegos) and Marlon Rubalcaba (Santiago de Cuba). As well as Osmar Forteza and Ronaldo Crusá (Pinar del Rio).

The team manager is Alexis Moré from Villa Clara. Assigned to Group B, the Cuban team will face Venezuela on the 22nd, Mexico on the 23rd, and Nicaragua on the 24th. Group A includes the United States, Brazil, Curaçao, and the Dominican hosts. Group C is made up of Canada, Colombia, Panama, and Puerto Rico.

A round-robin format will be used within each group, with the top two teams from each advancing to the Super Round. The four teams that qualify for the 2027 World Championship will be determined from that stage.
Roberto Carlos Rodríguez Torres
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