Pedro G. Briceño
Los Gigantes del Cibao selected pitcher César Valdez as the first player to be called up for the draw organized by the Professional Baseball League of the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.
Valdez, who was the Pitcher of the Year in the winter tournament in the 2019/20 season, will bolster the starting rotation or the Northeast relief, as used by manager Luis Urueta in the tournament’s semifinals, which will start the next two . from January.
Along with the veteran pitcher, the players of the two disqualified teams, Licey and Escogido, David Kubiak, pitcher for the Eagles, were selected in the first round; Yermín Mercedes, catcher, for the Bulls and Enny Romero, pitcher, for the Stars.
In the second round, Las Aguilas took first and took over the services, Luis Liberato, outfielder; Then the Bulls got Steve Wilson, illuminator; The Paquidermos chose veteran Ervin Santana and the Giants took on José Rafael Díaz (Jumbo).
On the next pick, the Romans picked first and seized Jairo Asencio, the leader in saves in Dominican ball history; the green team selected Hansel Robles, reliever; The Giants took over Gabriel Arias, a pitcher, and the Aguilas signed David Paulino.
Other rounds
In the fourth round it was up to the Paquidermos to take first and they grabbed Michael De la Cruz, catcher; the second chosen was veteran Fernando Rodney of the Bulls; the third to be chosen was Edward Paredes for the Aguilas and the Nordestanos closed the round with Ulises Joaquín.
In the penultimate of the selections, the Giants did first, catching Jonathan Ceshire, pitcher; While Rhiner Cruz, pitcher was selected by the Eagles, Austin Bibens Dirk, also a monticulista, returns to the ranks of the Toros and the Stars signed first baseman Adderlin Rodríguez.
This year’s draw ended with the selection of Lisalberto Bonilla, pitcher for the Aguilas; Melky Mesa, outfielder chosen by the Giants; Frank Garcés, pitcher, was signed by the Estrellas and veteran pitcher Alfredo Simón will perform with the Toros.
Jesús Mejía, (giants); Angel Ovalles, (Aguilas), Raymond Abreu (Bulls), as well as Manny Acta and Félix Peguero (Stars) each represented their teams in the draw.
Ildefonso Ureña was the driver, while Jorge Torres, Technical Director of the Professional Baseball League was the coordinator. The draft was broadcast on CDN SportsMax.
48 available
A total of 48 players were available and teams were required to sign at least three native players each.
This year’s design was done in a different format from the previous one, as there was only one draw this time.
The semifinals start next Saturday, January 2, and will face the Bulls against the Eagles, while the Stars will face the Giants, both being agreed at 7-4.
KNOWING MORE
The Giants teams
Player Pos.
Cesar Valdez P.
Jumbo Diaz P.
Gabriel Arías P.
Ulises Joaquin P
Jonathan Ceshire P.
Melky Mesa OR
Eagles
David Kubiak P.
Luis Liberato VAN
David Paulino P.
Edward Paredes P.
Rhiner Cruz P.
Lisalberto Bonilla P.
Bulls
Yermin Mercedes C.
Steve Wilson P.
Jairo Asencio P.
Fernando Rodney P.
Austin drinks Dirk P
Alfredo Simon P.
Stars
Enny Romero P.
Ervin Santana P.
Hanser Robles P.
Michael De la Cruz C.
Adderlin Rodríguez 1B
Frank Garcés P.