Previous view: No. 4, Industriales de La Habana

The Capital Blues project one of the best rotations for the III Elite League.

If it comes to projections, Industriales could count—at least at the start of the tournament—on one of the favorite teams to be contenders. Even without sluggers Yasmany Tomás and Erisbel Arruebarena, the two highest-ranked position players on the team's roster, Industriales could field a competitive lineup. However, the team's main potential is in pitching.

Let's take a quick look at the expectations of the Azules de la Capital in our third edition of the “Preview” of the III Elite League of Cuban Baseball:

4. Industriales de La Habana (21-19) in the Elite League of Cuban Baseball—2023-2024 season

Manager: Guillermo Carmona.

Reinforcements chosen by position: C (1), SS (2), OF (2), SP (2), RP (3).

Reinforcements chosen by round

1- Andrys Pérez (MTZ), C

2- Denis Laza (MAY), LF

3- Yadián Martínez (MAY), SP

4- Fernando Betanzo (SSP), RP

5- Adrián Pérez (MTZ), SS/2B-3B

6- Denis Quesada (MTZ), SP

7- Yosvany Peñalver (*IND), RF

8- Armando Dueñas Jr. (MTZ), RP

9- Haykel Parra (MTZ), RP

10- Erisbel Arruebarena (MTZ), SS

*He belonged to the Industriales team but did not play in the 63rd National Series.

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What were they looking for?: After the absence of Oscar Valdés, Industriales needed a catcher with a league-level position. Valdés was the starter at the position in 76 of the team's 88 games during the past 63 National Series—including the postseason. In addition to playing 86% of the games as a catcher, he also led the team in home runs (11), RBIs (59) and OPS (.927). So going for a catcher in the first round was manager Guillermo Carmona's priority.

The acquisition of Cocodrilos catcher Andrys Perez guarantees a considerable advantage on defense. Perez was not at the offensive level that Valdes was in the last 63rd National Series, but he finished his best season by hitting 10 home runs and driving in 39 runs in just 208 plate appearances.

The first step was taken. Industriales needed to add more hitters. Everything depended on the flexibility of the draft. Maybe two outfielders, depending on the versatility of the players. They were also looking for a couple of infielders, preferably a shortstop and another player capable of covering key positions like second or third base. But Carmona's second choice was given: He chose Mayabeque left fielder Denis Laza, who days before expressed on his Facebook profile the desire to play the Elite League only with Industriales, due to personal reasons.

Carmona followed his script and took advantage of the opportunity to reinforce the pitching. He added right-hander Yadián Martínez and left-hander Denis Quesada to the starting rotation. He was also able to bring back outfielder Yosvany Peñalver, who was in the draft of the players who did not play in the 63rd National Series. The other two position players that Carmona selected were infielders Adrián Pérez—we will analyze why it seems like a reasonable acquisition beyond the fact that he is the brother of catcher Andrys Pérez—and Erisbel “El Grillo” Arruebarena.

Erisbel Arruebaruena was Industriales' last draft pick, but if he is healthy, he could be one of the key players. Photo: Calixto N. Llanes.

Even though Arruebarena did not appear on the list of “ineligible” players, he was the last selection of the night, the 60th pick in the draft. Technically, there was a list of ineligible players for many reasons. Now, the big question here is whether Arruebarena, despite not being included in the ineligible list, will be ready to reinforce Industriales.

I don't know what recent information Carmona had, but Arruebarena played only 10 games in the last National Series and was sidelined for the rest of the season due to an injury. It was precisely Adrian Perez who took over the starting position. Then, in November, Arruebarena recorded a .513 OPS and one RBI in 20 plate appearances with Team Cuba in the Premier-12.

Main strengths after strengthening?: The pitching staff brings the main expectations. Industriales could count on a rotation of up to six starters: Andy Vargas, Pavel Hernández, Maykel Taylor, Raymond Figueredo, Yadián Martínez, and left-hander Denis Quesada.*

*Having Denis Quesada on the starting staff will add a new perspective, as the Leones have not had regular left-handed starters in the rotation during the last few seasons. The last left-handed starter to record at least 10 starts with Industriales was Ian Rendón (6-3, 4.14 ERA in 13 starts) during the 2015-2016 season.

Rafael Perdomo, Remberto Barreto, and José Ernesto Pérez, who have been starters in recent years, would move to the bullpen along with Leodán Reyes, Fernando Betanzo, Diosbel Nápoles, Haykel Parra, Frank Ernesto Herrera and Armando Dueñas Jr.

As long as most of them can stay healthy and available before traveling to their respective contracts in foreign leagues, this staff projects as one of the most solid for the III Elite League.

Industriales also improved its possible offensive and defensive formula. The entry of Denis Laza and Peñalver reinforced the corners of the outfield. Roberto Álvarez or Roberto Acevedo will probably discuss the center fielder position, although Acevedo could also appear at shortstop. We will return to the outfield in a minute.

The versatility of Adrián Pérez, who could play shortstop, second or third base, brings depth and competitiveness to the infield. Perez and Alfredo Rodriguez should be the starting second baseman for Opening Day, although an absence of Arruebarena could lead to a challenge between Perez and Acevedo for the starting shortstop job. The ideal spot for Industriales would be for Arruebarena to be the regular shortstop, due to his professional experience and the high-caliber contribution to the league that he usually brings when he is at his best.

Returning to the outfield, it is possible that left fielder Ariel Hechevarría, who undoubtedly deserved the Gold Glove last season, will move to third base. That is Hechevarría's natural position since he established himself in the National Series, first with the Pirates of the Island. That probable move would keep Hechevarría in the lineup, who has been one of the team's most valuable players: he led Industriales' offense with .493 slugging last season. He made no errors in 361 ⅓ and 88 defensive chances and was the second-best stealer (75%), with nine stolen bases in 12 attempts.

Either way, Carmona has several options: he also has Angel Alfredo Hechevarria, a second-year player who surprised last season. Angel Alfredo earned the starting job and began the postseason as a regular and second hitter in the lineup. Look what happens when we compare his performance over the entirety of last year to that of Ariel Hechevarría:

Regular season—63 National Series

• Ariel Hechevarría: .337/.409/.535/.944, 133 OPS-plus, .216 RISP, 9 HR, 34 RBI, 41 R, 8-10 SB/Att., 220 PA

• Ángel Alfredo Hechevarría: .320/.403/.475/.878, 117 OPS-plus, .303 RISP, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 40 R, 1-4 SB/Att., 206 PA

Surprised? Angel Alfredo's offensive breakout was unexpected. And he drove in more runs than Ariel, despite finishing with 14 fewer plate appearances. The key was that he hit .303 with runners in scoring position, while Hechevarría finished at .216. Ariel was slightly more productive in terms of OPS-plus (133 vs. 117), with a better batting average and more power. He was also more efficient at running bases, stealing 80%, while Angel Alfredo finished the regular season with 25 SB%. But the interesting thing about this comparison is that the Hechevarrías have brought competitiveness and potential to the lineup. And, for a season with a four-game series, each team will need to have flexibility in its roster.

If Carmona has all his hitters available for Opening Day, this could be the starting lineup by position:

C—Andrys Pérez

1B—Yasmany Tomás/Yasiel Santoya

2B—Alfredo Rodríguez/Adrián Pérez

3B—Ariel Hechevarría/Ángel Alfredo Hechevarría

SS—Erisbel Arruebarena/Adrián Pérez/Roberto Acevedo

LF—Denis Laza/Roque Tomás

CF—Roberto Álvarez/Roberto Acevedo

RF—Yosvany Peñalver/Dayron Miranda

That starting corps looks good and could have great projections in the league. But, for a tournament of just 40 games, what each team needs most is stability.

What could still generate doubts: The departure of the main pitchers to fulfill their international contracts. It is likely that, during the regular season, Industriales will suffer several losses of its key pitchers. There is no exact date, which is why the Leones reinforced their pitching. Even so, it will be likely that pitchers like Alexei Gil, Yoel David Paula, or others will end up joining the pitching staff.

That possibility makes the first-month key for the Industriales, who will play 14 games in the last 17 days of March. The challenge is set, although an interesting point in favor of the Azules is that they will finish the regular season without rescheduled games.

Following the departure of the Leñadores de Las Tunas to the Champions League during the first week of April, the only teams that will not have postponed games will be Industriales and Pinar del Río. The rest will have to face Las Tunas during the first week of May in the rescheduled games.