The Spanish National Team has opened training camp for the latest preparations prior to the European Championship. They will finish things off with the Italian Baseball Week. A 26-man roster was announced, which is highlighted by former top prospect Fernando Martinez. The outfielder played 99 games in Major League Baseball so far.
Also on the team are pitchers Jorge Balboa (Japan), Eric Gonzalez (USA), Eduardo Morlan (USA), Andres Perez (Stuttgart Reds), Ivan Granados (Mr. Cocker HCAW) and Ricardo Hernandez (Vaessen Pioniers). In the infield Aritz Garcia (HSV Stealers) and Paco Figueroa (Baltimore Orioles) strengthen the corps besides Division de Honor players Oscar Angulo, Richard Montiel and Yancarlo Franco. The outfielder features Daniel Figueroa, Lesther Galvan and Franklin Tavarez besides Martinez.
The coaching staff of manager Mauro Mazzotti is similar to the staff at the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He gets supported by Manny Crespo, Renny Duarte, Candelario Diaz, Felix Cano and Nestor Perez.
Overall Spain is going to play an important role at the European Championship. They hope to better a third place finish from 2012. They’ll face the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Greece, Russia and Croatia in the first round in Ostrava. Before traveling to the Czech Republic they will play against Italy and the Czech squad at the Italian Baseball Week.