2019 All-Star Yera Named to CUBAN WBC Team

The Kitchener Panthers would like to congratulate 2019 IBL All-Star, Yoennis Yera, on his selection to team Cuba’s World Baseball Classic roster.

The bulldog competitor went 7-1 with a 3.88 ERA in 2019 for the Panthers, making 12 starts and picking up 87 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched.

The 33 year old is a veteran of the Cuban National Series, having been the longtime ace of the Matanzas Crocodiles and recording a career record of 98 wins and 50 losses across 14 seasons with a 3.24 ERA. He has recorded 1023 strikeouts and has a dominant 3.38 strikeouts to walks ratio.

Yoennis made headlines last year while dominating for the Tabasco Olmecas of the Mexican AAA league where he was named a league All-Star as well as tossing a complete game no- hitter. He was one of the top arms in the league with an 8-2 record, ERA of 3.01 and 88 strikeouts in 86.2 innings pitched.

Yera will be suiting up alongside the likes of MLB stars Luis Robert (White Sox), Yoan Moncada (White Sox) and former Mets and A’s slugger Yoenis Cespedes as Cuba is scheduled to play in the opening game of the tournament on March 8th vs the Netherlands.

Yoennis is amongst a group of 5 former Panthers who have represented Team Cuba at the world baseball classic which includes Frank Morejon, Noelvis Entenza, Jonder Martinez and Miguel Lahera.

We wish Yoennis the best of luck in what will be his second appearance at the World Baseball Classic and look forward to his expected return to Kitchener in the coming years.