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The exodus of baseball talent from Cuba continues to impact even the younger categories, following the report that Yordan Reyes, regarded as one of the island's top U-12 prospects, left the country for the Dominican Republic, as reported by journalist Francys Romero.
On the social network Facebook, the communicator stated that Reyes, originally from Caibarién, Villa Clara, recently shone in the national competition for his category, where he hit four home runs, a performance that earned him a spot on the Cuba team for the U-12 World Cup.
At just 12 years old and standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, the young baseball player possesses highly advanced skills for his age, making him one of the most promising talents in his category.
A phenomenon that does not stop
The case of Yordan Reyes is not isolated: it is part of a massive and sustained emigration of child and youth talent, a direct consequence of the deterioration of the Cuban sports system, the lack of professional prospects on the Island, and the economic crisis the country is facing.
Families of young baseball players —many of whom are aware that not everyone will manage to sign a professional contract— choose to emigrate because staying represents an uncertain sporting future, marked by poor training conditions, a lack of equipment, and limited opportunities for growth.
In the Dominican Republic, where the largest network of academies linked to MLB is concentrated, young athletes find infrastructure, meals, physical development, and international visibility, elements that are currently impossible to obtain in Cuba.
Cuba loses its most valuable talent pool
The departure of such young talents highlights a sports system in crisis that fails to retain even its future promises, witnessing its talent pool bleed out year after year, resulting in:
A sharp decline in the competitive level of the Serie Nacional.
Results increasingly poor in international tournaments.
A federative structure unable to provide development, security, or a future.
Meanwhile, neighboring countries continue to attract the best Cuban prospects, who leave with the hope of building a professional career and improving their families' lives.
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