Carlos Perez hit a three-run home run in the top of the first inning, and Venezuela never trailed as they defeated Cuba 6-5 in a thrilling game one of Group B play at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Florida. Perez added an RBI single in the top of the third inning off Cuba starter Lazaro Blanco to increase Venezuela’s lead to 4-0, while Venezuela starter Anibal Sanchez was able to work himself out of trouble in the early going. Sanchez allowed three baserunners in the first, but emerged unscathed after Venezuelan left fielder Alexander Palma threw out Cuba’s Yadil Mujica at home plate on an Alfredo Despaigne single. Sanchez then yielded three straight singles with one out in the second inning before Roel Santos grounded into an inning ending double play. Cuba’s offense finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth when Erisbel Arruebaruena homered, cutting the Venezuela lead in half at 4-2. A Mujica single in the fifth chased Sanchez from the game and brought Cuba within one at 4-3, but another inning ending double play kept Venezuela in front going into the sixth. Hernan Perez led off the sixth inning with a home run for Venezuela, and the third baseman finished the game 3-for-5 with a single and a triple in addition to his first home run of the tournament. Robinson Chirinos added an insurance run for Venezuela in the top of the eighth inning, blasting an 0-2 pitch from Livan Moinelo over the wall and into Cuba’s bullpen in left, making it 6-3 for the visitors. The home run was Chirinos’s only hit of the game, but it would loom large as Cuba made a comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Pinch hitting for Santos, Lisban Correa jacked a two-run homer to deep left-center with one out and Cuba was down 6-5. Yordanis Samon worked a two-out walk to extend the game and the stage was set for the legendary Despaigne. Facing Moises Gomez, Despaigne swung hard at a 2-1 pitch and fell to the ground grabbing his left shoulder. He would be removed from the game, replaced by 19-year-old Rafael Viñales who grounded out to second to end the ballgame. The stunning conclusion capped off an incredible game that had thrilled the capacity crowd of 3,629. The win was the first for Venezuela in a world level tournament against Cuba since the 1953 World Cup. Venezuela (1-0) will take on Colombia on Tuesday afternoon at Clover Park in Port St. Lucie, while Cuba (0-1) will face Canada in the night game. (Top photo of Venezuela: WBSC)

HAVANA — The Cuban Baseball Federation confirmed Wednesday night that one of the players on the national team defected a few hours after the squad arrived in Florida to participate in a qualifying tournament for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The organization identified the player as César Prieto, 22. “His decision, contrary to the commitment made to the people and the team, has generated disdain among his peers and other members of the delegation,” the federation said. The team arrived in Florida after months of struggling to obtain U.S. visas, for which the players filed applications in three other countries due to U.S. sanctions that prevented the U.S. Consulate in Havana from issuing the documents. The permits were finally delivered Tuesday under a special effort made by the U.S. Embassy in Havana. Eight nations — Cuba, the United States, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Colombia and Canada — will be battling for one spot in the six-team Tokyo Olympic baseball tournament. The tournament runs from May 31 to June 5 in West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie, but exhibition matches are scheduled before that. With three gold and two silver medals, Cuba has dominated Olympic baseball. (Top photo of César Prieto (first) during training sessions at Latinoamericano Stadium in Havana: Ramón Espinosa/AP)

The Cuban Baseball Federation has revealed the Cuban National Team roster for the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier, which will award one ticket into the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Manager Armando Ferrer has selected 26 players to compete in the Olympic qualifier in Florida. Pitchers (10): Lázaro Blanco (Granma), Carlos Juan Viera (Las Tunas), Yoenni Yera (Matanzas), Yariel Rodríguez (Camagüey), Andy Rodríguez (Industriales), Bryan Chi (Industriales), Livٞán Moinelo (Pinar del Río), Raidel Martínez (Pinar del Río), Frank Álvarez (Pinar del Río), and Yudiel Rodríguez (Las Tunas) Catchers (3): Yosvany Alarcón (Las Tunas), Iván Prieto (Granma), and Rafael Viñales (Las Tunas) Infielders (7): Lisbán Correa (Industriales), Yordanis Samón (Granma), César Prieto (Cienfuegos), Erisbel Arruebarruena (Matanzas), Yordan Manduley (Holguín), Yadil Mujica (Matanzas), and Dayán García (Artemisa) Outfielders (6): Alfredo Despaigne (Granma), Frederich Cepeda (Sancti Spíritus), Roel Santos (Granma), Yadir Drake (Matanzas), Raico Santos (Granma), and Guillermo Avilés (Granma) The core of the national team is the same as the one used at the WBSC Premier12 2019, where Cuba did not get past the first round. The most notable addition is top pitching prospect Bryan Chi. World No. 7 Cuba will compete in Group B and will face in the opening round No. 8 Venezuela on 31 May, No. 13 Canada on 2 June and No. 14 Colombia on 3 June. Group A includes world No. 2 USA, the top-ranked team in the qualifier, No. 10 Dominican Republic, No. 11 Puerto Rico and No. 15 Nicaragua. Ferrer's staff includes Alexander Ramos, José Hernández, Carlos Martí, Raciel Sánchez and Jesús Salgado. (Top photo of Cuban reliever Liván Moinelo: WBSC)

The United States appears to be dropping the ball in Cuba’s attempt to play baseball in the Olympic qualifier in Florida. The tournament is just one week away and Cuba has yet to have their players issued visas to participate in the event. If a country hopes to host international events (and the Olympics would qualify) being prepared to issue visas to athletes participating in these events should be part of that process. The United States does not appear to be ready to meet that responsibility. Then President Trump closed the consular area for the United States embassy in Cuba in 2017. Documentation for the visas was presented last week, but they have not heard from them. The Cubans have also attempted to obtain visas from embassies in Mexico, Panama and Guyana, but to no avail. The event is arriving, but nobody appears home to address the Cuban needs for a visa. The other alternative for the Cubans to qualify for the Olympics would be to play in the second qualifier that is scheduled for Taiwan. Technically, in order to qualify for that event they would have to finish in second or third in the United States event in Florida, but since China has dropped out of the qualifier to be held in Taiwan it is possible that Cuba could take their place if visas can not be issued in time for the United States qualifier. The problem with Taiwan is now that the corona virus numbers have risen there travel for foreigners has been restricted. Currently only foreign residents living in Taiwan are not subject to travel prohibitions. There is concern the travel restriction will result in the cancellation of the second qualifier that is to be held in mid-June. The CPBL, the professional baseball league in Taiwan has announced an indefinite postponement of their season. Of course, the final concern is that the Olympics themselves could still be in danger of being held. The mood in Japan is that most residents there would prefer the Olympics be cancelled. As it stands now, travel into Japan is restricted and only residents will be able to attend events for the Olympics. With the Olympics still just a couple months away there is still a loud clamor among Japan residents that they should not be held. What a sticky mess this corona virus has weaved. (Photo of Team Cuba: Estudios Revolución)

The legendary manager and federation president was an 892-game winner in Cuba's National League. He led the National Team to gold at the 2004 Games in Athens. The world of baseball is mourning the loss of Higinio Vélez, the president of the Cuban Baseball Federation, who passed away in Cuba on 12 May due to COVID-19 related complications. Baseball leaders and national federations across the Americas, as well as World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) President Riccardo Fraccari, shared their shock and condolences with the international baseball community. Cuba's media outlets and politicians, including the president's office, also expressed their sadness and fond memories of the Cuban baseball leader. The President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, tweeted that COVID-19 is hitting family and dreams. Baseball Canada, the Dominican Republic Baseball Federation, the Nicaraguan Baseball Federation, the Pan Am Baseball Confederation (COPABE), the Panamanian Professional Baseball League, the Puerto Rican Baseball Federation and the Venezuelan Baseball Federation all shared their sympathies with the Cuban Baseball Federation and community. Born in 1947, Velez graduated in Physical Education. An 892 game-winning manager in the Cuban National League (Serie Nacional), he managed the National Team at the 1987 Pan Am Games, where he earned a gold medal. He took over as the Cuban National Team manager again in 2001, after leading Santiago de Cuba to three consecutive national championships, 1999-2001. Vélez led Cuba to a Baseball World Cup title in 2001 in Taiwan, defeating the 2000 Olympic Champions United States in the final. Cuba, under his leadership, won two more World Cups (2003, 2005), an Olympic gold medal (2004) and a silver medal in the inaugural World Baseball Classic. Vélez had served as the president of the Cuban Baseball Federation since 2008.

The group of players includes those under contract with NPB organizations. Three-time Olympic baseball gold medal winner Cuba is training at Victoria de Girón Stadium in Matanzas ahead of the upcoming WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier in Florida which is less 20 days days away. Cuban National Team manager Armando Ferrer has cut the preliminary roster down to 32 players. Qualifier roster sizes are 26. The players considered by Ferrer and his staff include the stars of the top domestic league (Serie Nacional), including the core of the WBSC Premier12 2019 team and those under contract with Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) organizations. PITCHERS (13) Lázaro Blanco, Carlos Juan Viera, Yoenni Yera, Yariel Rodríguez, Andy Rodríguez, Bryan Chi, Liván Moinelo, Raidel Martínez, Frank Abel Álvarez, Yudiel Rodríguez, Pablo Luis Guillén, Naikel Cruz and Renner Rivero CATCHERS (5) Ariel Martínez, Yosvani Alarcón, Iván Prieto, Rafael Viñales and Andrys Pérez INFIELDERS (9) Lisbán Correa, Yordanis Samon, Guillermo Avilés, César Prieto, Erisbel Arruebarrena, Yordan Manduley, Yurisbel Gracial, Yadil Mujica and Dayán García OUTFIELDERS (5) Frederich Cepeda, Roel Santos, Alfredo Despaigne, Yadir Drake and Raico Santos World No. 7 Cuba will start the qualifier in Florida in Group B, along with World no. 9 Venezuela, No. 13 Canada and No. 14 Colombia. The WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier to the Games of the XXXII Olympiad Tokyo 2020 is scheduled in The Palm Beaches & St. Lucie County, Florida, from 31 May to 5 June.

From last year’s list Luis Robert, the top prospect on last year’s list graduated. Ronald Bolaños and Randy Arozarena moved from the National League to the American League. If you included Arozarena’s at bats from the playoffs he would have graduated, but he is still eligible as a rookie. Julio Pablo Martínez, Yordys Valdés and Orlando Martínez dropped from the list. Two new players who were signed by the White Sox in 2021 were added to this list. 1. Randy Arozarena OF (Rays) - No one has ever been hotter in the playoffs when Arozarena, who hit 10 homeruns in 20 playoff games. For the longest time Babe Ruth held the record for most homeruns in the post season with 15, but then during that era they only played one seven game series. Arozarena almost equaled that amount in one playoff year. Don’t expect that power to result in Ruthian numbers during the regular season. He hits the ball hard but it’ll probably settle in the 30 plus homerun range. He was signed by the Cardinals in 2016 for what was then a modest bonus of $1.25 million. He has failed to fall high on prospect lists, but myworld did rate him as the second rated Cuban prospect in the National League last year. He appears to have a good hit tool, with the ability to hit in the neighborhood of .300. His speed will allow him to play centerfield, but he is a better fit in a corner with an arm strong enough for right field. The Rays acquired him from the Cardinals for Mike Liberatore. Arozarena should start at a corner for the Rays in 2021 with possible spot starts in centerfield. 2. Roberto Campos OF (Tigers) - The Tigers paid out $2.85 million to sign Campos. Like a lot of Cubans, not a lot is known about the 17 year old. In the United States he would still be in high school. He has the big, right field frame at 6′3″ and 200 pounds. He left Cuba at 13 and trained at a facility in the Dominican Republic for three years. His batting practices are impressive, but there is no game like action to show what he can do with a mixture of different offerings. The speed is there to play center, but like Arozarena his best fit appears to be right. He will probably start the 2021 season in Low A, since there will not be any rookie leagues. 3. Yusniel Díaz OF ( Orioles) - The tools are there for him to be a major leaguer. Some question whether he has the motivation. The Dodgers wheel barreled out $15 million to sign him back in 2015. They traded him to the Orioles for a half season use of Manny Machado. He slogged around in AA for more than two years. This spring he was hoping to win a job with the Orioles, but he will probably start the season in AAA. His tools are probably just above average in all categories, but power wise and defense fall far short of Manny Machado. Because he lacks the burner speed to play center, how his power develops will determine whether his bat can fit into a corner. His highest homerun total is 11 with a career slugging average of .440. Most teams want to see higher production from a corner outfielder. He will need a good season in AAA in 2021 and a couple injuries before he fits with the Orioles. 4. Yoelquis Céspedes OF (White Sox) - He is the younger brother of Yoennis Céspedes, who had a great early career in Cuba before he signed a major league contract. Yoelquis numbers in the Cuban league pale in comparison to Yoennis, yet the White Sox were still willing to pay $2.05 million for him. Yoennis signed a four year contract with the Oakland Athletics for $36 million, when there were not as many restrictions on bonuses for international players. Yoennis hit 177 homeruns in Cuba while Yoelquis has hit 12. Yoelquis only stands 5′9″, so we hold out little hope he will be a stand out player. His arm may be his strongest tool, but it is said he has some power, despite his vanilla .415 slugging percentage in Cuba. The speed is there to play center so if his power does not develop he could survive on his defense and moderate power. He reminds me a bit too much of Adolis García. At 23, he should probably start the year in AA with a potential major league debut in 2022. 5. Alexander Vargas SS (Yankees) - The Yankees spent $2.5 million to sign Vargas in 2019. The 19 year old showed a smooth glove in his rookie league debut, but a little overmatched with the bat. His speed allowed him to steal 15 bases in 48 games and leg out 7 triples. At 5′11″ and only 150 pounds the power is a little short but should improve as he gets stronger. The defensive tools are there for him to stick at short. He needs to show a little better bat if he doesn’t want to fall into oblivion like a number of other Cuban shortstops that are short with the stick and battling for an opportunity to play in the major leagues. Alexander should start the 2021 season in Low A. The Yankees seem to be flush with shortstops so it would not surprise myworld if Vargas is not traded in a couple years for playoff pieces. 6. Norge C. Vera RHP (White Sox) - Norge is the son of Norge Luis Vera, who was a star for the Cuban National team that won an Olympic gold medal. At 6′4″ he has a good frame for a pitcher. The White Sox signed him for $1.5 million in 2021. That is over $3 million the White Sox spent for two Cubans. Norge throws his fastball in the low 90s but it should gain velo as he matures physically. He appears to have the requisite secondary pitches to fit in the middle of a rotation. His long levers had difficulty finding the plate when he pitched in the Cuban League, but he was only 18 then. The White Sox will start him in Low A in 2021. 7. Lázaro Armenteros OF (Athletics) - Lázaro came from Cuba with too much hype. The Athletics believed that hype and spent $3 million to sign him in 2016. He was advertised as a five tool athlete, but his arm is weak and dedicated to left field and he has trouble making contact. He struck out 227 times in 2019. If the pitch has a bend to it Lázaro has trouble making contact. He does have some speed and shows some power when he can make contact. He fell three homeruns short in 2019 from being a 20/20 player in the minor leagues. The 2021 season should see him start it in AA where he needs to focus on making more consistent contact. 8. Bryan Ramos 3B (White Sox) - The third White Sox on this list, but Ramos signed for only $300,000 in 2018. The power is there for him to stick at a corner infield position, but the glove at third may force a move to first. If that is the case there may be more pressure on him for his power to really perform. Major league teams have been reluctant to have right handed gloves who bat right handed play first base. His speed is not great, but he could also move to a corner outfield position. In his one season of Rookie level ball in 2019 he had trouble making contact with 44 whiffs in 51 games. The 2021 season should see him start in Low A. 9. Ronald Bolaños RHP (Royals) - Ronald appeared as the ninth top Cuban prospect in the National League last year. He appears as the ninth best prospect in the American League this year. The Padres signed Bolaños for $2 million in 2016, then included him in a trade to the Royals with Franchy Cordero for Tim Hill. He did get an opportunity to pitch with the Padres in 2019 and with the Royals in 2020, but his seven appearances result in an ERA of 6.94. Throwing strikes has been a bit of a challenge in the major leagues, resulting in 5 dingers in just 23 innings. His fastball hits the mid-90s and his curve has a good break, but if he wants to fit into the rotation he needs to enhance his change to get a third effective pitch. He will start the 2021 season in AAA. 10. Yolbert Sánchez SS (White Sox) - The fourth White Sox on this list. The White Sox signed him for $2.5 million. At 24 he is a veteran of the Cuban League, hitting just two homeruns in his three years there, with averages ranging from .255 to .350. In 2019 he played 29 games in the Dominican Summer League where he was playing against much younger players. The defensive tools are there to play shortstop but the bat needs to improve if he hopes to take on a regular role. A utility option exists if his bat fails to mature. The White Sox may be aggressive with him in 2021 and start him in High A or AA. (Top photo of Randy Arozarena: Tony Gutierrez/AP, Other photos: MLB)

Randy Arozarena and Ronald Bolaños moved to the American League. Michel Báez is the only player who graduated from the list. Víctor Víctor Mesa, who got the big signing bonus dropped from the list while his younger brother, who had less credentials remained on the list. Below are the top ten Cuban prospects from the National league. 1. Adrián Morejón LHP (Padres) - Back in 2014 he pitched for Cuba’s 15 and under team, pitching them to a gold medal victory over the United States. He was voted the MVP of the 15 and under World Cup. In 2016 he defected from Cuba and signed an $11 million bonus with the Padres. His journey to the major leagues has been long, but he appears to have found the right path. Arm injuries slowed his ascension to the major leagues but he made his debut in 2019, finishing with an ugly 10.12 ERA. He was better in 2020 (4.66) and he hopes to break out this year with a spot in the rotation. He has some wicked stuff, starting with a mid 90s fastball that can touch the high 90s, something all scouts drool at with lefthanders. His curveball has a nasty bite and his change is a quality pitch. A decent slider gives him a fourth offering. What holds him back is his difficulty finding his spot in the strike zone. Too many meaty pitches in 2020 hit too much of the strike zone leading to seven dingers in just 19 innings. It is not just about throwing strikes, but throwing quality strikes. When Adrián can learn that he can fit at the top of the rotation. He will be in the Padres starting rotation in 2021 until he fails to get hitters out. 2. Jorge Oña OF (Padres) - Myworld did not give Oña a lot of respect last year, keeping him absent from the list, but the names are a bit weak in 2021 so he jumps to number 2. Jorge popped on to the list with his .583 slugging average during his major league debut in 2020, encompassing just 12 at bats. In 2019 he was limited to just 25 games because of a shoulder injury, but he hit .348 with five homeruns. There is some power in his bat, which motivated the Padres to sign him for a $7 million bonus in 2016. He does have some issues making contact, and his defense will probably limit him to left field. Ideally, his best spot could be as a designated hitter. He will start the 2021 season in AAA, but do not be surprised if the Padres trade him for some help in their playoff run. He could also be kept to be their DH when the National League incorporates it in 2022. 3. Andy Pagés OF (Dodgers) - Pages was initially traded to the Angels in the first Mookie Betts trade that was called off. Don’t be surprised if he gets offered again to provide the Dodgers with some veteran depth for a playoff run. The Dodgers only signed him for $300,000, a paltry sum when you compare his bonus to other bonuses the Dodgers have shelled out to Cuban defectors. He has some impressive tools, with a strong arm for right field and a loud bat that provides impressive exit velocities when he makes contact. The challenge will be to improve that contact. In 2019 he struck out 79 times in just 63 games but he still slugged .651 with 19 homeruns. The Dodgers will probably start him in High A in 2021. 4. Johan Oviedo RHP (Cardinals) - At 6′5″ and 245 pounds Johan is an intimidating presence on the mound. The Cardinals paid out a bonus of $1.9 million in 2016, the same year they signed Randy Arozarena. As to be expected with that large frame, Johan can whip the fastball toward the plate in the mid-90s. A slider is a pretty good second pitch. What he needs to improve on is finding a third pitch and improving his command. His long arms still prove a challenge for him in finding consistency with his delivery and finding the plate. He made his major league debut last year, putting together a 5.47 ERA. Unlike his 2019 minor league season he did not get a lot of strikeouts per nine innings and he sits around 2.5 walks every nine innings. He will start the 2021 season in AAA and could see the Cardinals toward the end of the season. If his control still fails him and a third pitch is lacking he can always be used in the bullpen. 5. Miguel Vargas 3B (Dodgers) - He played with Adrian Morejón, Lazarito Armenteros and Ernesto Martínez on the Cuban Under 15 team, all of whom are now playing in the minor leagues for major league clubs. He hit .378 with nine RBIs, but unlike the three other players he did not make the all tournament team. His father played on Cuba’s 1992 and 1996 gold medal teams in the Olympics. The Dodgers signed him for $300,000 in 2017. He stands 6′3″ and lacks speed and quickness so a move from third base is possible. If that happens he will have to develop his power, which has not been prevalent in the minor leagues. He does hit for average, draws walks and finds the gaps enough to hit 40 plus doubles. Turning those doubles into homeruns would make the transition easier. Vargas could start the 2021 season in AA and could be offered as trade bait by the Dodgers to acquire veteran playoff depth. 6. Víctor Mesa Jr. OF (Marlins) - His father was a superstar outfielder for the Cuban teams that won numerous gold medals in international events. His brother left for the United States to escape the expectations that Cuban fans expected from the son of a superstar. The older brother Víctor Víctor Mesa signed for $5.25 million. The younger brother Víctor Mesa Jr. got a token $1 million bonus. Now it is the younger brother who is the better prospect. While the power is not great he does show the ability to hit for average (.284). Only 14 of his 50 hits went for extra bases. If he could play a rangy centerfield it would be better, but defensively his best fit is for a corner. He may lack the power to fill that position. Víctor does make good contact with a 24/29 walk to whiff ratio. Víctor should start the 2021 season in Low A where the 19 year old can be moved patiently. His 24 year old brother Víctor Víctor Mesa could only hit .235 with a .274 OBA in his 2019 minor league season. Missing the 2020 season put him in a bad situation where at 24 he needs to prove himself now. 7. José García SS (Reds) - García signed for $5 million in 2017. There is no question that his glove is of major league quality. Despite playing only A ball the Reds still called him up in 2020 to fill the shortstop hole. He struggled with the bat, hitting only .194 with no extra base hits and a 1/26 walk to whiff ratio. His OBA was .206 and his slugging was .194 in 24 games. It is obvious José needs some more work with the bat before putting on the Reds uniform. The Reds were looking for a shortstop for the 2021 season, but having failed to acquire one decided to move third baseman Eugenio Suárez to play the position. If he struggles the Reds may have no other choice than to call García up, sacrificing some offense to solidify the defense. Expect José to start the 2021 season in AA. 8. Malcolm Núñez 3B (Cardinals) - The Cardinals signing of Nolan Arenado could put a brick wall towards Núñez opportunity with the Cardinals. The Cardinals signed Núñez for $300,000 in 2018. Núñez played with Víctor Víctor Mesa on the Under 15 Cuban National team in 2016 where he hit .613 with 9 walks. The defense is a little shaky and his speed is virtually non-existent, so if he is going to make it the bat will have to work. The bat did not display a lot of power in his first appearance stateside in 2019 with just two homeruns and a slugging average of .318. That will have to improve. He did slug 13 homeruns with a .415 average and .774 slugging percentage in the Dominican Summer League the prior year. He should begin the 2021 season in Low A. 9. Vladimir Gutiérrez RHP (Reds) - The Reds signed Gutiérrez the same year they signed Jose García, shelling out $4.75 million for Gutiérrez. Vladimir is not over powering with a fastball that sits in the low 90s. His top pitch may be his curve with a decent change, but the curve can be inconsistent. When he struggles to get the pitch over the plate he becomes very hittable. His minor league seasons have been afflicted with the homerun ball, giving up 26 in 2019. That resulted in a poor 6.04 ERA. At best, Vladimir may be an end of the rotation pitcher or a spot starter. He was placed on the 40 man roster in a rebuilding year for the Reds. He should make his major league debut sometime mid-season, provided he stays healthy and is pitching effectively. 10. Daysbel Hernández RHP (Braves) - The Braves signed Daysbel for $190,000 in 2017. At 5′10″ he is not a big presence, but he can hit the mid-90s on the radar gun with his fastball. A lack of control and a missing third pitch destines him for the bullpen where he has pitched in all 56 of his appearances. In his two minor league seasons in 2018 and 2019 he has limited the opposition to a .193 average. His best season was in 2019 where he picked up 7 saves with a 1.71 ERA. At 24 years of age the Braves must move him quickly. He should start the 2021 season in AA and could see his major league debut with a successful minor league season. (Top photo of Adrián Morejón: K.C. Alfred/The San Diego Union-Tribune, Other photos: MLB)

Chicago White Sox Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf presented José Abreu the 2020 American League Most Valuable Player Award before Thursday’s home opener against the Kansas City Royals. Fans at Guaranteed Rate Field chanted, “MVP.” “It was a magnificent moment,” Abreu said through an interpreter before Monday’s 4-3 victory against the Cleveland Indians. “Just being there and receiving the award from Jerry, it was real. I really enjoyed that moment and I’m forever blessed to be part of the White Sox organization and forever blessed to call myself Jerry’s friend. “It was a surreal moment and I really appreciate having the experience and especially him handing the award to me.” Abreu is certain big moments are ahead for the Sox. He doesn’t think the team is trying too hard to live up to preseason expectations. “Everybody in this division is going to have an expectation,” he said. “But you have to live with it. For us, we need to be realistic here. We have (played) nine games (through Sunday), just nine games in this season. “Something we need to highlight (is) the connection there is in the clubhouse. The good relationship between the coaching staff and the players and how we are working together.” Abreu said his advice to teammates is, “Don’t pay attention to what people are saying from the outside.” “Just believe in yourself,” he said. “Trust yourself. Work hard and live in peace. Be in peace with yourself. If you do that, it doesn’t matter what people say about you or about the team. What matters is what you believe. “That’s what I’m all about. I’m talking with them. I’m giving them advice. I’m here to support them.” Abreu didn’t want to characterize the team’s record through three series as a “slow start.” The Sox improved to 5-5 with Monday’s win. “It’s just baseball, and I think we’re doing the things we are supposed to be doing,” he said. “Maybe the results aren’t there yet, but it’s a long season and we need to keep working and clean up a few things. But a start like we’re having right now, I think it’s a usual start for every team. It’s just a week into the season, and in the whole season we’re going to keep getting better as the season progresses.” Abreu is taking that same mindset at the plate. He’s slashing .200/.298/.375 with two home runs and nine RBIs in the first 10 games. Both home runs were grand slams. “Throughout my eight years in the majors, I haven’t gotten off to a really hot start,” he said. “It’s just who I am as a baseball player. I usually don’t start the season super hot. I’m going to keep getting better. You know me, I’m going to keep working hard. I’m not concerned about my offense right now.” Some of the team’s offensive inconsistencies have come with runners in scoring position. The Sox performed well in that category Thursday, going 5-for-10 in the 6-0 win against the Royals. But they were 1-for-15 in that department in Sunday’s 4-3 loss in 10 innings. “Hitting is really tough, and it’s tougher in a pressure situation when the guy on the mound is making sure he isn’t giving in to you,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said Monday. “Just get back to the basics.” The Sox were 2-for-5 with runners in scoring position Monday. The offense could receive a boost in the coming days if Tim Anderson continues to progress in his recovery from a strained left hamstring. “Tim’s return date (from the injured list) is Thursday,” La Russa said, “and our expectation is he’ll start the game Thursday afternoon.” Abreu, Anderson and Eloy Jiménez were recognized as 2020 Silver Slugger winners before Monday’s game, with Jimenez sharing a message on the Guaranteed Rate Field video board. Even with Anderson and Jimenez out, the Sox have found ways to get on base, including nine walks Sunday. They led the American League in walks (50) and on-base percentage (.354) entering Monday. “That’s a silver lining stat,” Abreu said. “For us as an offense to have those numbers and not being as good as we know we can be, it’s good. If we can sustain that when our offense clicks, we’re going to be a very dangerous team. “That’s the good thing about this: We’re not in sync yet as an offense, but we still have good things to show, the walks and all that. It’s definitely an encouraging stat, an encouraging thing we’re doing right now. When our offense starts getting hot, it’s going to be even better.” (Top photo of José Abreu and Tim Anderson on April 12, 2021: Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Havana, April 9 (RHC)-- Manager Armando Ferrer welcomes the idea of summoning to the Cuban national baseball team players who wish to wear the Team Cuba uniform, despite having spent years playing in foreign leagues. "Any player who wants to join us will raise the ceiling of Cuban baseball," said Ferrer, manager of Cuba's runner-up Matanzas and one of the candidates to lead the island's team to the Pre-Olympic Games in Florida (May), in statements to Radio Habana Cuba (www.radiohc.cu). When questioned about the possible call-up for the Pre-Olympic of some players who play without the endorsement of the Cuban Federation in foreign leagues, Ferrer did not hesitate to describe it as "a positive aspect." Champion last year with the Matanzas Crocodiles and runner-up this season, the experienced mentor gave as an example Yadir Drake, who resigned to continue playing to return to Cuba and join the Matanzas team in search of being champion on the island with his province. "He stopped earning money in the Pacific League (Mexico) and stated that he did not want to be chosen as reinforcement because he had a commitment to his province. These things are positive. Any athlete who wants to join us is going to be positive for Cuban baseball," he said. "They have proven themselves in other baseball, they are Cubans in the end and it would be good if we could unify a team of Cubans, who have not gone there (another country) for other reasons than just to prove themselves at a higher level. Why not accept them?" Ferrer considered that Cuban baseball is already in conditions to get out of the slump we have had at the international level. "There is great optimism and a working group very focused on this issue (winning) and I think there will be results," he said. He advanced that after the vaccination process of the Cuban pre-selection and a few days of active rest, two groups will be made, one for the Pre-Olympic and the other for the Caribbean Cup (Curacao), which will be prepared in the province of Matanzas. "We only know that on the 18th (Sunday) the 2 pre-selections will start working. That is what has been planned, nothing else has been decided," he said. The experienced manager valued as "very positive" that Cuban baseball players and other athletes have been given the first dose of Soberana 02, one of the vaccine candidates developed in Cuba to combat COVID-19. "It is an advance we have. Right now I have been vaccinated. Look at all that is being done in public health, focused on the issue of sports. I think it is a very good thing that we are protected from this disease that is affecting the world," he stressed. (Edited by Ed Newman, Photo of Armando Ferrer: Itsván Ojeda)

Scioscia and the US Men's National Team will be looking to earn a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics at the upcoming WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier in Florida this June. USA Baseball has named Mike Scioscia as the manager for the 2021 US Professional National Team, ahead of the Olympic qualifier(s). Scioscia will lead the US National Team in the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier on home soil in Florida in early June. The exact dates and locations will be announced soon. Born in 1958, Scioscia has represented only two organizations during a professional career as a player and a manager that began in 1976. "I'm extremely honoured and excited to lead the US National Team this year," commented Scioscia. "I'm looking forward to the privilege of wearing the USA jersey, and I know every member of our team will feel the same way. It is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that will hopefully end with the USA winning an Olympic gold medal." “We are honoured to welcome Mike Scioscia,” said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler. “Mike’s tenure with the Angels’ franchise was nothing short of spectacular, creating and celebrating a culture of success with six division titles, an American League pennant, and its first-ever World Series title. More impactfully, his leadership, integrity, and character are unparalleled in our game, making him the perfect fit for the USA Baseball family. We are thrilled to have him lead our Professional National Team in 2021 as we look to earn a spot in the Tokyo Olympic Games." Scioscia will be looking to guide the US National Team to an Olympic berth at the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier, an eight-team tournament, with teams split into two groups to start: Group A: No. 2 USA, No. 10 Dominican Republic, No. 11 Puerto Rico and No. 15 Nicaragua. Group B: No. 8 Cuba, No. 9 Venezuela, No. 13 Canada and No. 14 Colombia. After round-robin play, the best two finishers will advance to the super round. The first-place team after the super round will be the fifth National Team qualified to the Tokyo Olympics, joining world No. 1 Japan, No. 3 Korea, No. 5 Mexico and No. 18 Israel. The second and third finishers will fight for the final spot in the Olympics during the WBSC WBSC Final Qualifier, played in Taichung and Douliu, Taiwan, from 16 to 20 June. They will join world No. 4 Chinese Taipei, No. 6 Australia, No. 9 Netherlands, No. 22 China. The US finished in fourth-place at the 2019 WBSC Premier12, where bronze medallists Mexico claimed the Olympic berth as the top finisher from the Americas. Scioscia's Bio Scioscia was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and made his MLB debut in 1980. He played 1,441 games for the Dodgers, all under manager Tom Lasorda, the skipper who led the US to an Olympic gold medal in 2000. Scioscia retired after the 1992 season and two World Series titles (1981, 1988) and two All-Star Games (1989, 1990). He began his coaching career with the Dodgers. The Los Angeles Angels hired him as their manager in 2000. Scioscia led them to a World Series championship in 2002 and was voted the American League Manager of the Year in 2002 and 2009. He stepped down as a manager after the 2018 season and 1,650 wins. (Top Photo: Getty Images)

Granma defeated the defending champion Matanzas Crocodiles 6-5 to win the Cuban championship in six games. They did it without one of their big bats Alfredo Despaigne, who is in Japan playing for the Softbank Hawks. Guillermo Garcia had the walk off hit in the bottom of the ninth to complete the comeback victory. Granma had won back to back championships in 2017 and 2018 and they can now add a third title to their list. This is also the franchise Yoennis Cespedes played on before he departed for the major leagues. The two pitchers Noevis Entenza for Matanzas and Leandro Martinez for Granma engaged in a pitcher’s duel to start the game off. Entenza got the win in the previous game by pitching one inning of relief. Martinez got out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning and Entenza put three runners on but was aided by a double play. The little speedster Roel Santos broke the shutout with a bunt single to lead off the third inning. He then stole second and scored on a hustle double by Raico Santos that was hit down the left field line. That’s the way it stood until the top of the sixth. Yadil Drake started the sixth inning off by hitting a double into right center. The eruption began. A single by Jefferson Delgado and sacrifice fly to score Drake ended the day for Martinez. The Stallion bullpen could not stop the carnage. Cesar Garcia walked Elise Arruebaruena intentionally and then walked pinch hitter Juan Vazquez not so intentionally to load the bases. Eduardo Blanco lined a single in front of the left fielder Raico Santos. The ball bounced over his head and three runs scored, Blanco advancing to third on the throw home. Yadil Mujica lined a double down the first base line to end the scoring and give Matanzas a commanding 5-1 lead. It did not last. Granma chipped away getting a run back in the bottom half, started by Guillermo Aviles double over the centerfielder’s head. Guillermo Garcia singled Aviles to third and a double play ground out allowed Aviles to score. In the seventh the little guy Roel Santos showed he can hit pretty big by pulling a pitch way over the right field fence to up the score to 5-3. Two walks put two more runners on but Carlos Benitez grounded into a double play to end the inning. Entenza left the game after the first walk, going 6.1 innings. Granma continued to chip away in the eighth. A walk to Guillermo Aviles and a single by Guillermo Garcia started the inning off. Garcia would finish the game 4 for 4. A bunt moved the runners up where Aviles scored on a sacrifice fly. Roel Santos drove in the tying run with a clutch two out singe to left, his third hit of the game. Joel Suarez could not get anyone out in the ninth, walking Raico Santos and giving up a single to Carlos Benitez. Matanzas called on Jonder Martinez to get out of the jam and allow Matanzas to live a second day. He hit Aviles to load the bases with no one out. Garcia ended the day by smashing a ball over the drawn in right fielder’s head for a walk off single. The celebration began. (Top photo of the Granma Alazanes: Oscar Alfonso Sosa)