As every team enters today with an even 1-1 record in the Premier12, one player who has performed above expectations for Puerto Rico has been third baseman Sabin Ceballos. Puerto Rico won their first game of Premier12, shutting out Team USA 1-0, but were defeated last night by Mexico, 7-5.
In the first game against the United States, Ceballos provided the only run for Puerto Rico. It was the top of the sixth inning in a scoreless game when Ceballos crushed the pitch to deep right-center off of Sam Benschoter, as that would prove to be the only run that Puerto Rico would need to hold onto the victory.
Last night against Mexico, Ceballos was able to get the offense going once again for Puerto Rico, smoking a two-run double into left-center, as Javier Vaz and Edgardo Villegas would score as Puerto Rico would only be down 4-3 at that time. Ceballos would finish the game, going 2-4 at the plate, with 2 RBIs, including a run scored courtesy of a Carlos Cortes RBI double to tie the game. Puerto Rico would lose to Mexico, 7-5.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ceballos was drafted in the third round of the 2023 MLB draft by the Atlanta Braves out of the University of Oregon. He was traded to the San Francisco Giants during the 2024 MLB trade deadline in the deal that landed the Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and reliever Luke Jackson. In 116 games between the Braves and Giants High-A affiliate, Ceballos hit .269, with ten home runs, 60 RBIs, and stealing nine bases in 450 at-bats.
So far in the Premier12, Ceballos is hitting an even .500, going 4-8 with a home run and three RBIs. Puerto Rico will not play today, but will play tomorrow, serving as hosts to the Netherlands. The event will be held at Estadio Panamericano in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the action will begin at 9 PM EST.
All games can be streamed with a subscription to DAZN.
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Photo Credit: Sabin Ceballos rounds third. (Photo Courtesy of WBSC)
