Baseball: China City League signs 13 Cuban players, including ex-NPB home run king Despaigne

The China City Baseball League (CPBL) is making a significant move to bolster its talent pool by signing 13 Cuban players for its upcoming Summer League, scheduled to begin on August 13. This influx of international talent signals the league's ambition to elevate its profile and competitiveness.

The roster of Cuban players includes several notable names, with Alfredo Despaigne being the most prominent. Despaigne brings a wealth of experience from a decade in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), where he amassed 184 home runs and a .261 batting average over 878 games. He was a three-time All-Star and clinched the home run and RBI titles in the Pacific League in 2017, establishing himself as a formidable slugger.

Other Cuban players joining the league are Yasiel González, José Noroña, Fher Cejas, Andy Vargas, Frank Herrera, Yankiel Mauris, Randy Cueto, Pavel Hernández, Yoelkis Guibert, Andy Cosme, Henry Quintero, and Raico Santos. Their participation is expected to add a high level of skill and excitement to the CPBL.

The Summer League will feature six teams: Xiamen Dolphins, Shenzhen Blue Sox, Fuzhou Sea Lions, Changsha Wangwang, Shanghai Sharks, and Beijing Zhengda Long. The teams will compete in a 15-game regular season across Shanghai and Shenzhen. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs, culminating in a best-of-three series for the championship.