The young Cuban pitcher Luis Mantilla, just 17 years old, arrived in the Dominican Republic in recent days with the intention of signing with a Major League organization.
The information was released in the web from sports journalist Francys Romero, who highlighted that the Camagüey native has “a physique and speed that could lead him to sign a professional contract.”
Mantilla will undergo the usual processes in which he will have to put effort into his “physical and technical improvement to then apply for free agency,” Romero assured.
In addition, he pointed out that the young pitcher had an excellent start to the season in Cuba.
With the Camagüey U-15 team, in 2022, Mantilla recorded a 2-2 record, 3.82 ERA, and in 33 innings he struck out 20 batters.
A year later he improved his numbers, to the point of being present in eight games, three as a starter and five as a reliever, to a 3-3 overall, 1.99 ERA in 24.2 innings and striking out 27Romero noted.
The communicator announced that the young man “will be training at the outstanding Cristian Cacón Academy.”
The departure from Cuban territory of many of baseball's promises means a fissure for the future of baseball on the Island, which will have to face upcoming international commitments with a decimated youth academy.
Recently, the young Cuban baseball player Marlon Quintana, also 17 years old, officially signed his contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and will prepare to play in the Major Leagues.
The young man, a native of the province of Matanzas, is a “pitcher with a fastball in the 91-93 mph range and secondary pitches such as curveball and changeup and excellent delivery”. The signing bonus was for $100,000.
Quintana is represented by Cacon Academy, the same one that currently hosts Luis Mantilla.
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