Yadir Drake arrives in Cuba to join team for World Classic

Baseball player Yadir Drake arrived in Havana on Thursday to join the Cuban team that is preparing for the V World Baseball Classic, scheduled for March 8-21.

Drake, 32 years old and a native of the western province of Matanzas, was confirmed among the 30 players that make up the Cuban team, which will travel on February 5 to Asia for several practice games ahead of the Classic.

Although he is listed as an outfielder, Drake is expected to defend the starting lineup, a position he is familiar with, especially in the Mexican Summer League and the Arco Pacific League.

Drake had a very good offensive campaign, averaging 273 in the regular season, with six home runs, 12 doubles, and a triple for a total of 65 hits and 42 RBI with the Yaquis of Ciudad Obregón.

With his performance and hits in important moments he helped the Tribe to be in the Playoffs, where he was also decisive in his team's advance to the semifinals of the Mexican championship.

In the postseason he shined with a batting average of 311, with 14 hits, including three doubles. He drove in 12 runs for the Yaquis' cause in addition to showing off the defense in the starting lineup.