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The Cuban pitcher Leskian Acosta arrived in the Dominican Republic in recent hours with the aim of signing with a Major League organization, according to journalist Francys Romero, who specializes in the international MLB market.
Acosta, a native of Mayabeque, was part of the Cuba U-15 team that competed last September and is regarded as one of the most promising pitchers of his generation.
According to Romero on Facebook, the young right-handed pitcher has the potential to exceed 90 miles per hour, along with secondary pitches that show elite-level projection, qualities that have already caught the interest of international scouts.
Eligible for the international period 2027–2028
The player will be eligible to sign during the international signing period of 2027-2028, so his arrival in Dominican territory is part of a strategy for early development, adaptation, and visibility within the system of academies that work directly with MLB organizations.
Acosta will be trained by the Academy of former MLB player Alex Sánchez, one of the private organizations that have served as a platform for young Cuban talents seeking to make their way into professional baseball.
Growing exodus in youth categories
The departure of Leskian Acosta confirms an increasingly pronounced trend: more than 50% of the roster of the Cuba U-15 team for the Pre-World Championship has left the island, in search of professional opportunities outside the state sports system.
This phenomenon reflects the accelerated loss of talent in the developmental categories, driven by the lack of legal and direct pathways to access MLB from Cuba, as well as by the economic and structural limitations of national baseball.
Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic continues to establish itself as the main transit and development hub for Cuban prospects, who see that country as the most viable gateway to achieving their dream of playing in the Major Leagues.
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