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The Cuban infielder and first baseman Guillermo García, grandson of the commander of the Revolution Guillermo García Frías, continues his training in the Dominican Republic with the aim of signing with a Major League organization.
After leaving his contract with the Quebec Capitales in the Canadian Frontier League, the 24-year-old player is training under the guidance of Julio Estrada, Reinier Orozco, and Pavel Pino at the TBT Baseball Academy, according to journalist Francys Romero on the social network Facebook.
García will have a showcase in March in front of MLB scouts, where he will seek to demonstrate his talents. With experience in the National Series with the Alazanes de Granma, his performance caught the attention of the Chunichi Dragons in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) league, with whom he signed a contract backed by the Cuban Federation, although he spent most of his time in the minor leagues of that country.
His arrival in Quisqueya follows the path of other Cubans like Yariel Rodríguez and Pedro Revilla, who also left contracts with Chunichi to seek opportunities in MLB. In his last season in the Frontier League, García posted an average of .299, with seven doubles, four home runs, 20 runs scored, and 29 runs batted in over 39 games.
As Diario de Cuba recalls, García's case has sparked controversy, as his decision to pursue a career in Major League Baseball, which was referred to at the time as "slave baseball" by the late dictator Fidel Castro, contrasts with his family ties to one of the historic figures of the Cuban regime.
Some analysts do not rule out the possibility that this could be a government strategy to maintain the presence of players in MLB and, eventually, in the Cuban national team.
Frequently asked questions about Guillermo García's career and the migration of Cuban baseball players
Who is Guillermo García and why is he relevant in baseball?
Guillermo García is a 24-year-old Cuban baseball player who plays as an outfielder and first baseman. He is noteworthy not only for his performance in the Cuban National Series and the Canadian Frontier League but also for being the grandson of the commander of the Revolution Guillermo García Frías, which adds a political component to his career in professional baseball.
What is Guillermo García looking for in the Dominican Republic?
Guillermo García is in the Dominican Republic with the aim of preparing for a showcase in front of MLB scouts in March. He seeks to sign with a Major League organization and showcase his talent to advance in his professional baseball career.
What has been Guillermo García's performance in previous leagues?
In his last season in the Canadian Frontier League, Guillermo García achieved an average of .299 with seven doubles, four home runs, 20 runs scored, and 29 runs batted in over 39 games. His previous performance has caught the attention of MLB scouts, which motivates him to continue seeking opportunities in the major leagues.
What does the emigration of Cuban baseball players like Guillermo García entail?
The emigration of Cuban baseball players to foreign leagues reflects a search for better sports and personal opportunities that they cannot find in Cuba. This phenomenon highlights the limitations of the Cuban sports system and is a strategy that some believe could be used by the government to maintain a presence in MLB and eventually in the Cuban national team.
How is Guillermo García connected to Cuban politics?
Guillermo García is the grandson of the commander of the Revolution Guillermo García Frías, a historical figure of the Cuban regime. His decision to pursue a career in MLB, previously criticized by Fidel Castro as "slave ball," generates controversy and raises questions about potential strategies of the Cuban government in the international sports arena.
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