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The exodus of Cuban ballplayers continues to hit the national baseball scene without pause. This time, the focus is on right-handed pitcher Ángel Fernández, one of the most promising young pitchers from the Island, who recently left Cuba for the Dominican Republic in search of a contract with a Major League Baseball (MLB) organization.
According to journalist Francys Romero on his social media, at just 17 years old and standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, Fernández has been regarded for the past few years as one of the best arms in Cuban youth baseball.
The communicator added that the pitcher's speed is around 90 miles per hour, a remarkable benchmark for his age that places him on the radar of several international scouts.
A talent that aimed high
Originally from Santa Clara, Villa Clara, the young right-handed pitcher had an outstanding performance in the national championships for the U-15 and U-18 categories, where he recorded 10 victories and 120 strikeouts in 102 innings.
In the final of the 2024 U-18 National Championship, he was one of the key figures in Villa Clara's title, pitching 17 innings with 22 strikeouts and allowing only one run, a performance that solidified his status as one of the most complete talents of his generation.
According to reports, Fernández will be eligible to sign during the international period of 2024-2025, where he will seek to begin his professional career in the minor leagues of the United States.
A reflection of the exodus that empties Cuban baseball
Fernández's departure is not an isolated event, but rather part of an unstoppable exodus of young Cuban baseball players who, faced with a lack of opportunities and the precarious conditions of the sports system on the Island, seek to fulfill their dreams beyond state control.
The direct consequence of this constant brain drain is reflected in the low competitive level of the National Series and in Cuba's poor results in international events, where the country has transitioned from a global powerhouse to a directionless contender.
While the regime tries to mask the baseball crisis with local tournaments and specific agreements with foreign leagues, the reality is that the best talents continue to leave each year, driven by a lack of future and the limitations of a system that no longer offers them either stability or development.
Another promise slips away
The case of Ángel Fernández encapsulates the recent history of Cuban baseball: talented young individuals, trained under challenging conditions, who ultimately emigrate to gain their freedom and compete at the highest level.
With his departure to the Dominican Republic, Cuba loses another rough diamond.
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