SANTO DOMINGO.– The Baseball Operations Manager of the Águilas Cibaeñas, Gian Guzmán, explained that the selection of infielder Cristhian Adames as the team’s first pick in the Re-entry Draft of the Dominican Republic Professional Baseball League (LIDOM) responds to the need to strengthen the infield ahead of the start of the Round Robin.
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“We understand that Cristhian Adames is going to give us much more depth in the infield, since Gerardo Perdomo will not be available in the first games of the Round Robin due to a family commitment and would return in January,” Guzmán pointed out after the conclusion of the draw held this Wednesday 24. The executive also highlighted the versatility and offensive profile of the ambidextrous player.“With Adames we gain versatility around second and third base. He is an important piece, with an ambidextrous bat, a good strike zone, makes a lot of contact and is coming off one of his best seasons in the Dominican League,” he added. The Eagles made a total of six selections, primarily focused on reinforcing the pitching. In addition to Adames, the Cibao team chose pitchers Óscar de la Cruz, Misael Tamárez, Yunior Marte, Carlos Belén and Andrew Pérez, with the intention of strengthening their pitching staff for the semifinal phase. Cristhian Adames had an outstanding performance with the Tigres del Licey in the regular season, participating in 49 of the 50 games of the blue team. In 169 official at-bats, he batted for .308, with 52 hits, three home runs, 12 doubles, 20 runs scored and 22 RBIs, in addition to registering .391 OBP, .432 slugging and .823 OPS. The infielder already knows the atmosphere of the yellow team, after having reinforced the Águilas during the semifinal of the 2021-2022 championship. Regarding the other selections, Guzmán highlighted the contribution of pitcher Óscar de la Cruz. “After Adames, the focus was always pitching. Óscar is a starter who had a great performance in the regular season, has no restrictions, usually goes deep into games and gives us more flexibility,” he indicated. In relation to possible imported reinforcements, the Operations manager explained that the team is in talks with leagues abroad. “We have been in contact with teams from Mexico and Venezuela. Those leagues end a little later and we must wait for their re-entry drafts, but we currently have space for imported players.” Finally, Guzmán assured that the core of the team remains stable and that important reincorporations are expected for the Round Robin.
“Actually, the team remains the same as it ended the regular season. Nobody leaves. On the contrary, players like Perdomo joined at the end, we will have the reintegration of Amador and it is very likely that Jonathan Clase will be reactivated for this stage,” he concluded. The Águilas Cibaeñas will begin their participation in the Round Robin this Friday, December 27, continuing their path in search of advancing to the Final Series of the championship.
