William Saavedra

William Saavedra Valdés
(Yiye)
also known as Willian Saavedra

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 203 lb.

• Born October 23, 1981 in Pinar del Río, Pinar del Río Cuba

BR Register page

Biographical Information

William Saavedra has played for the Pinar del Rio Tobacco Growers and the Cuban national team.

Saavedra had hit .240 in two seasons prior to 2008-2009. In 2008-2009, he batted .281/.318/.404 while fielding .913 as the backup 3B to Donal Duarte. In a utility role in 2009-2010, he hit .293/.331/.573. Replacing Norlis Concepción as the starter at first base in 2010-2011, he exploded to .343/.367/.611 with 21 homers and 91 RBI in 85 games, while fielding .992 at first. He led the Cuban Serie Nacional with 8 sacrifice flies and ranked third in RBI, behind Yoennis Céspedes and José Dariel Abreu. He was named the All-Star utility man.

William was 4 for 18 with a double in the 2011 World Port Tournament, fielding .981. He hit .290/.337/.437 in 2011-2012 but slumped to .268/.322/.408 in 2012-2013 and .258/.302/.399 in 2013-2014. He still was named an Offensive All-Star at 1B for 2013-2014. He rebounded to .299/.374/.411 in 2014-2015. He hit .357/.357/.500 in the 2015 Caribbean Series and scored one of three runs in the finale as Pinar del Río became the first Cuban squad to win the Caribbean Series in 55 years.

Saavedra made the Cuban A squad for the first time in the 2015 Pan American Games. The 33-year-old pinch-hit three times for the Bronze Medalists, striking out twice and hitting into a double play. He got into games at 1B (2 PO in 2 Inn, backing up Alex Malleta) and LF (1 PO in 1 Inn, backing up Alfredo Despaigne). He was also a member of the Cuban team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Sources

• Beisbolcubano.cu
• Baseballdecuba.com
• Radiorebelde
• 2011 World Port Tournament
• Ecured
• 2015 Caribbean Series
• 2015 Pan American Games