Yadier Pedroso, a right-handed pitcher, initially played for La Habana in the Cuban National Series, beginning in 2004-05, going 11-4 with a 2.47 ERA as a rookie. He first came to notice when he starred in the 2004 World Junior Championships, leading Cuba to the gold medal. In that tournament he threw a 1-hit shutout in the final game against Japan and Yu Darvish, and Pedroso was named the tournament MVP. He was elevated to the Cuban Senior National Team in 2005 and helped Cuba win a gold medal at the 2005 World Cup, although he struggled in his outings at that event. In addition to his Olympic silver medal in 2008, Pedroso won gold at the 2010 Intercontinental Cup and 2010 Universiade, and the 2006 Central American and Caribbean Games, adding a silver at the 2009 World Cup, and a bronze in the 2011 Pan-American Games. Pedroso also played for Cuba at the 2006 and 2013 World Baseball Classics. He died quite young in a car accident, which occurred just after Cuba was eliminated at the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Cuba