Cuban Slugger Cepeda Back in Cuba from Japanese Baseball

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 27 (acn) The stellar Cuban player Frederich Cepeda arrived on Sunday in this capital, after his first foray into the called Japanese Major Leagues with the iconic team the Yomiuri Giants.

Upon arrival at José Martí International Airport, Cepeda rated as positive the experience in the Japanese baseball circuit, of which he highlighted its great organization, systematization and rigorous training, as well as the quality of the pitchers.

He said that most of the pitchers in Japanese baseball have five different pitches on average, plus full control of the strike zone, which greatly hinders the work of the hitters.

At the highest level of the professional league in Japan, Frederich Cepeda achieved a modest batting average of .194, 21 hits for 108 at-bats, including 6 home runs and 18 RBIs, finishing thus below expectations of Cuban fans.

The Athens 2004Olympic champion added that he was physically fit upon his arrival in Japan, but the adaptation period was very short and that influenced on his poor performance, after which he became a substitute player of a team with many stars, such as the Yomiuri Giants.

For the first time in my career I was mainly used as a pinch hitter, Cepeda said, and added that he was pleased for his foray into such a demanding baseball, if not wholly satisfied by his performance, which could be better if having had more opportunities as regular player.

I see a very promising future in the presence of Cuban baseball players in the Japanese Major Leagues, many of these teams have come to learn more about our championship and find new talent, the member of team Cuba in three editions of the World Baseball Classic noted.

Cepeda reaffirmed his desire and willingness to be part of the team Cuba to the baseball tournament of the Central American and Caribbean Games, to be held next November in the Mexican city of Veracruz.