The National Commission did not officially release the list of available reinforcements for the IV Cuban Baseball Elite League, but a list circulating on social media sparked debate among fans about who would be the best fit for each line-up to compete for the title.

With the player selection just hours away, it seems inconceivable that there isn't an official roster for the coaching staffs of Cocodrilos de Matanzas, Leñadores de Las Tunas, Cazadores de Artemisa, Huracanes de Mayabeque, Industriales de La Habana, and Cachorros de Holguín to begin planning. But this isn't entirely surprising, and not in a good way.

First, the number of players joining each roster is significantly reduced compared to previous years, when it reached up to 12. This time, there will only be seven.

This is largely due to the fact that many quality players are under contract in other leagues or will be leaving soon, which has considerably reduced the pool of available players.

However, this (unofficial, we reiterate) group still includes some very interesting players who could be useful to whoever makes the final cut.

For example, at catcher, a potential target for Industriales, there are two interesting names: Harold Vázquez from Santiago de Cuba and Richel López from Cienfuegos.

First base is a position where several teams might opt for power hitters, such as Guillermo Avilés from Granma, Yordanis Samón (now with Camagüey), the indomitable Edilse Silva, or Alexei Ramírez and William Saavedra from Pinar del Río.

Meanwhile, in the rest of the infield, the versatile Luis Vicente Mateo, Yuliesky Remón, Andrés de la Cruz, Robert Luis Delgado, Tailon Sánchez, and Jeison Martínez seem appealing to more than one team.

Apparently, the outfield is the position with the best prospects for the vast majority of the teams involved, but the veteran Frederich Cepeda and Leonel Moas and Luis González from Camagüey should be considered.

However, most eyes will once again be on the pitching mound, as it's the focal point of Cuban baseball today, even though the roster has quite a few absences for the reasons mentioned earlier.

In any case, managers will surely fight tooth and nail to secure the services of Sancti Spíritus natives Yankiel Mauri and Yanielquis Duardo, the experienced Alain Sánchez and Alberto Bisset, and others who have shown promise, such as Fernando Betanzo and Yunier Batista, for example.

There will again be 50 games per team, and at their usual venues, not in bubbles, as was considered at one point.

I always supported the tournament, which officially begins on May 2nd, and I hope the players' form at the end will help them reclaim the regional title at the upcoming Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo.