Rayder Ascanio was the Most Valuable Player of the LMBP Grand Final

Rayder Ascanio crowned a superlative debut season in the Major Professional Baseball League (LMBP), emerging as the Most Valuable Player of the 2024 Grand Final, by leading Senadores de Caracas to its third title in four seasons played since the creation of the circuit.

José Ángel Rodríguez, a member of the LMBP press department, Ascanio, 28 years old, obtained 60% of the votes given by the press authorized to cover the events of the “Copa Banco de Venezuela”, decided in the José Pérez Colmenares Stadium in Maracay, after five games. Caracas defeated Líderes de Miranda 4-1 in the decisive instance.

“I am proud that my family is here, watching me be the MVP of a final,” said the infielder to LMBP TV. In addition to taking the award home, he also received a brand new TX 150 motorcycle from Empire Keeway, official sponsor of the LMBP. “I am very happy to achieve this goal that we set ourselves from the beginning.”

The numbers

Ascanio was co-leader in RBIs in the Grand Final, with six, along with his teammate Sandber Pimentel. In addition, he finished second in hits (9), only behind his brother Yoelkis Guibert (10), who was also second in runs scored (7 for the Creole, 8 for the Cuban).

The native of Mariara, who finished the duel for the ring against Líderes de Miranda with a solid offensive line of .429/.480/.571, three doubles, 12 bases reached and a stolen base, was acquired via trade from Samanes de Aragua along with right-handed pitcher Julio Vivas, for catcher Jesús Sucre, during the month of March.

Although he was initially seen as a versatile player in the infield, he gradually took over the role of shortstop as the competition progressed.

Preparation

“I prepared myself since the offseason to play shortstop,” Ascanio said. “From the beginning I talked about it with (César) Collins (president of the Senators). I started playing third base, but as the days went by, the opportunity to play shortstop presented itself to me. That is my favorite position.”

The shortstop was followed in the voting by Sandber Pimentel, who totaled 20% of the votes; followed by Alberto González (13%) and Guibert (7%).

Maracay / Web Editor