Cuban Players Defectors [Archive]

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Cubano100%

11-23-2005, 02:37 AM

Cuban Players in MLB or Minor Leagues

Danys Baez Pitcher Devil Rays
Livan Hernandez Pitcher Nationals
Orlando Hernandez Pitcher White Sox
Jose Contreras Pitcher White Sox
Alain Soler Pitcher Mets
Yuniesky Betancourt SS/2B Mariners
Kendry Morales 1B/3B/Outfielder Angels
Brayan Pena C Braves
Michel Hernandez C Cardinals
Ariel Prieto Pitcher Marlins
Jorge Toca 1b White sox
Michael Tejera Pitcher Rangers
Juan Diaz 1B Cardinals
Vladimir Nunez Pitcher Indians
Raul Valdez Pitcher Cubs
Alex Sanchez Outfielder Giants
Eddy Oropeza Pitcher Orioles
Juan Muniz Outfielder Marlins
Yobal Duenas 2B/3B Yankees
Arian Cruz Pitcher Reds
Hansel Izquierdo Pitcher Pirates
Maikel Jova Outfielder Blue Jays
Joel Perez Outfielder Yankees
Maique Quintero Pitcher Nationals
Gary Galvez Pitcher Red Sox
Yunel Escobar SS/3B Braves
Saydel Beltran Pitcher Yankees
Mael Rodriguez Pitcher Diamondbacks
Jose Cordero Pitcher Twins
Rafael Galvizo Pitcher Marlins
Roberto Sotolongo Pitcher Cubs
Miguel Perez Pitcher Mets
William Plaza Catcher Yankees

In other countries waiting legal papers and holding tryouts:

Dominican Republic

Francisley Bueno Pitcher
Osbeck Castillo Pitcher
Juan Miguel Miranda Outfielder
Ayalen Ortiz Outfielder
Donell Linares Infielder

Costa Rica/Nicaragua

Michel Abreu 1B
Barbaro Canizares Outfielder/1B/C
Mikel Neninger Pitcher
Yosandry Ibanez Pitcher
Amaury Sanit Pitcher

USA

Amaury Casanas Outfielder
Hassan Pena Pitcher
Reinier Bermudez Pitcher

Cubano100%

11-23-2005, 08:27 AM

Yunel Escobar is ranked # 4 among Braves' best prospect

Yunel Escobar: Individual Stats (Batting)
Team From To G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
Rome Braves 06/18 06/18 48 198 30 62 13 3 4 19 93 14 30 0 2 .358 .470 .313Danville Braves 06/21 06/29 8 30 9 12 2 1 2 8 22 5 4 0 0 .472 .733 .400
Rome Braves 06/29 09/05 48 198 30 62 13 3 4 19 93 14 30 0 2 .358 .470 .313

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Yunel%20Escobar&pos=SS&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&did=milb&pid=488862

Gary Galvez: Individual Stats (Pitching)
Team From To W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO
Greenville Bombers 04/08 09/05 10 4 3.35 31 18 0 0 0 126.1 118 64 47 12 40 87

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=G%20Galvez&pos=P&t=p_pbp&did=milb&pid=465008

Kendry Morales is ranked # 5 among Angels' prospects
Kendry Morales: Individual Stats (Batting)
Team From To G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 05/21 06/13 22 90 18 31 3 0 5 17 49 6 11 0 0 .400 .544 .344
Arkansas Travelers 06/13 09/04 74 281 47 86 12 0 17 54 149 17 43 2 0 .349 .530 .306
Surprise Scorpions 10/04 11/10 24 92 19 35 14 0 2 18 55 12 13 0 0 .444 .598 .380

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Morales%20%201B&pos=&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&did=milb&pid=434778

Arian Cruz: Individual Stats (Pitching)
Team From To W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO
VSL Reds 05/17 07/07 2 0 0.00 5 2 0 0 0 13.2 4 0 0 0 0 17
Chattanooga Lookouts 07/23 09/05 3 1 3.26 13 0 0 0 0 19.1 23 9 7 1 6 16

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Arian%20Cruz&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&did=milb&pid=485566

Brayan Pena: Individual Stats (Batting)
Team From To G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
Richmond Braves 04/08 09/01 81 282 27 92 21 2 0 25 117 28 19 3 1 .383 .415 .326
Atlanta Braves 05/23 10/02 18 39 2 7 2 0 0 4 9 1 7 0 0 .200 .231 .179

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Brayan%20Pena&pos=C&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&did=milb&pid=430910

Roberto Sotolongo 3 2 .600 1.88 .187 11 2 43.0 32 15 9 10 37
http://www.dominicansummerleague.com/estadisticas/east/chicagocubs.htm

Alain Soler is ranked #10 among the Met's best prospects

The following players are young enough and have time to develop:
Juan Miguel Miranda
Ayalan Ortiz
Osbeck Castillo
Francisley Bueno

The following are running out of time:
Barbaro Canizares
Michel Abreu

Note: Does anyone remember pitcher Jose Ibar?
He started one of the two games for Cuba against the Orioles. The rumor in Cuba is that he was caught trying to defect 2 years ago and was in jail. Because the Cuban government does not comment about these issues, I am unable to corroborate the story. If this is true, I hope he can get out of it soon. He has not been in the roster for the Havana Cowboys for the last couple of years. He has run out of time!

El Nino Linares

11-23-2005, 08:40 AM

Trust me when i tell you that 2006 will be Kendry's year to make people start to talk i see things in him similiar to Linares, just that Linares was put on the Cuban national team as the third hitter at the age of 15.... out of left field...
And all of those Cuban prospects are not as young as they could be.... If they would have defected b4... And would have studied in this country and were schooled, fed, and trained here well then things would be alot different i bet you that atleast 1/2 of them would be starting on a team right now......

jalbright

11-23-2005, 10:00 AM

One question is, how many of these guys lost large chunks of time (half a season or more away from top level competition) in the process of defecting? That plus the family back in Cuba effectively being hostages explains a lot, if not everything.

Jim Albright

jalbright

11-23-2005, 10:15 AM

From another thread:

You have good players in [Japan] but they dont fair too good in the majors the only two worth mentioning is Ichiro, and Matsui (Yankee)... Bc everyone else is good for a while and then they get rocked.....

You missed Iguchi. Also, while I sympathize with your positions on Cuban players who defect (they had significant lapses in play against top competition, the families back home as virtual hostages, older players, cultural differences, etc), don't the Japanese deserve consideration for the same issues? How many Japanese come over before age 30? Since they have to serve nine years in that system before they can come over unless their teams agree, darned few. Nomo probably outshined El Duque in the majors. Sasaki and Hasegawa had some good years pitching, though Hasegawa had some quite rough ones. Contreras and the Livan Hernandez haven't greatly outshone those two so far. What every day players can Cuban defectors put up to match Iguchi, H. Matsui or Ichiro? Both sides have some positives, both some weaknesses. Certainly, neither players from Japan nor Cuba can simply come to the majors if they want to when they want to. Either way, the pool going to the majors is limited by factors beyond the players' control. Rather than knock the other side's performances in the majors, let's discuss why the performances were what they were--and, more importantly, recognize that there are pools of talent in each country that aren't being allowed the opportunity to play in the majors or minors.

Jim Albright

El Nino Linares

11-23-2005, 10:21 AM

That is very good that we have some people who understand... The truth is that they do waste a lot of time on the defecting... Going to other countries, and then getting citizenship in this country and try to get their families out... I think that certain things that are unseen... I know those family members suffer in Cuba bc their father is the US and the govt as well as the people that are communist get on them and call them names throw things at them, etc....

Cubano100%

11-24-2005, 02:32 AM

Cuban authorities take away players passports when the team travels abroad. On the other hand, if you defect while not traveling with the team, Cuban authorities won't allow you to apply for a passport. Cuban players have to gain citizenship in other countries to get a passport for traveling to America. Often, this is a long process.

First: The story of Juan Diaz, "the Cuban Thunder" (Industriales Lions)
http://www.minorleaguenews.com/baseball/affiliated/aaa/international/redwings/articles2005/05/11/01.html

Second: Former Reds pitcher Jose Rijo saved 6 Cubans from deportation

Juan Miranda (Pinar del Rio Cigar Growers) and Ayalen Ortiz (Industriales Lions)
http://www.washtimes.com/sports/20050303-021417-1224r.htm

Last: The story of Orlando "El Duke" Hernandez who once said: "I have played for the two best teams in the world: The New York Yankees and The Industriales Lions"
http://www.tuftsprimarysource.org/issues/20/08/duke.of.havana.html

Cubano100%

11-25-2005, 01:08 AM

He used to throw 100 and 101 mph consistenly. He established a new record for most strikeouts in the Cuban National League. He could not top 88 mph while holding tryouts. It is believed he had back problems prior to his defection. The Diamondbacks selected him in the later rounds during 2005 draft. I hope they put him under the knive or fix him. He is still young. One scout once said he was worth 100 millions, but now he is not worth a penny.
Too bad that the world has not been able to see his talent. Hopefully, he can comeback. He was assigned to play for the Owls(A), but he was not used in any games. This leave me to assume that Arizona is trying to fix him or that he was released.

Does anyone knows anything new about this guy?

Cubano100%

11-29-2005, 07:16 PM

Where are the scouts? He is very young and with tons of talent. He will be a first round pick in 2006.

Originally Posted by joe-fan:
Hassan Pena was seen at Jupiter, Florida on the 18th of this month. He pitched two innings, and needless to say he had great stuff! He struck out 4, had great comand, and his fast-ball was in the nineties. He seemed bigger(more muscular). Rumor has it that he is going to stay in the U.S. and enter the draft.People are going ape-sht over that because its said that he is going to play at Palm Beach Community college this semester. Their season starts in January and the coach there is Alex Morales, also a Cuban who use to play MLB.

Stay tune, more defections are coming. Poor Castro.
:dance

Ichiro51

11-30-2005, 10:47 AM

From another thread:

You missed Iguchi.

Another person also said Iguchi is a fluke because he can't turn a clean DP.

Cubano100%

11-30-2005, 12:59 PM

Another person also said Iguchi is a fluke because he can't turn a clean DP.

Ichiro51:

We had our argument and I wished you good day in the WBC Thread. This is a Thread for Cuban defectors. If you wish, you can opened your own Thread about Japanese baseball.

Ichiro51

12-01-2005, 05:55 AM

I assume agree with Jim Albright requires me to create another thread for it?

jalbright

12-01-2005, 10:28 AM

Please, Ichiro51 and Cubano100%, don't drag me into your battles. I think both of you have knowledge and both have something valuable to say--but from where I sit, when the two of you post in the same thread, you irritate each other to the point it's a simple spitting match. I don't want any part of that.

Jim Albright

Cubano100%

12-02-2005, 11:15 PM

Hassan Pena will stay here and enter the draft

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crack of the Bat

More Jupiter Part 3

By Blaine Clemmens

At the close of Jupiter report #2, I was headed to the stadium to catch Friday's 12:40 game between the NY/SF Bandit Stars and Louisiana All Star Baseball Team. There was a buzz in the complex about the starting pitcher for the Bandit Stars, a young Cuban named Hassan Pena. So I joined dozens of other scouts to watch Pena's two inning outing. For me he lived up to the buzz.

The team Pena was to face, Louisiana All Star Baseball Team, is generally a very quality team, with a number of upper level D1 and professional prospects. When scouting and evaluating players of any age, it is always helpful if you get a chance to do so when they are facing quality competition. For that reason, Perfect Game's showcases and tournaments are extremely valuable to both MLB scouts and college coaches. They know when they come to scout a PG/WWBA tournament they are going to see the top players competing against each other, and in the case of WWBA tourneys, they will see them competing in wood bat tournaments.

So as we all settled into our seats, about 20 minutes before game time. Whenever there is a standout pitcher scheduled to pitch, scouts generally will get to that game early. We want to get there in time to watch the pitcher warm up. It is fun to get a look at prospects from the time they are playing catch and long toss in the outfield all the way through their pre-game bullpen session. It is not only fun, but it is very useful. Watching a pitcher play long toss can tell you a lot about his arm action, arm strength, and the effort with which he throws. With the good ones, the ball just comes out of their hand much easier. They reach long distances with easy effort.

Pena is one of the good ones. He is not a physically imposing right-hander, but has a quality frame - 6'2" 205 lbs. with a strong lower half and a loose and wiry upper half, an excellent build for a pitcher. He pitches from a 3/4 slot with a very loose and easy arm action. The ball came out of his hand easily.

Pena's delivery had some similarities to Jose Contreras of the White Sox. He has a relaxed little leg kick and fluidity throughout his delivery, maintaining good rhythm. As for his stuff, well, Pena caught everyone's attention when he was warming up at 89-90 mph. He also teased us with his breaking ball and change-up during the warm-ups. Yes, it appeared that we all had made the right decision to scout the young Cuban righty.

During Pena's two innings he was pitching comfortably in the 91-93 range with explosive life at the plate. Pena has a sleepy and rhythmic sort of delivery that can relax hitters a bit. It is clear that Pena throws hard, so yes, hitters are geared up for that when they step in the box. However, most hitters are taught to approach pitchers with what is called "soft to fine focus" and that approach, which is the proper approach, can play into the favor of pitchers that have sleepy, relaxed deliveries. The best hitters will still be on time, but generally those are the hitters who have excellent timing mechanisms and bat speed, and yes, that is why they are the best hitters.

If you are not aware of what "soft to fine focus" means, get in touch with a local hitting coach, he should be able to demonstrate or explain it to you. Basically, it means the hitter trains his eyes to focus softly on the bigger image of the pitcher on the mound and the background around him. As the pitcher progresses through his delivery, the hitter starts to gradually narrow his focus, ultimately being totally focused by the time the pitcher's hand reaches the window from where the ball comes out.

That is why you see so many young hitters with poor timing. Some of them have plenty of natural bat speed but have not mastered the ability to stay relaxed until the ball is ready to come out of the pitcher's hand. So many young hitters are intensely focused as soon as they step into the box, which causes them to be tense. No hitter can hit with tension. Then again, there are also many young hitters that have good bat speed, but they are too relaxed in their approach, which causes a late timing mechanism.

Ok, this was not supposed to be a hitting lesson, but if one talented player reads this and is able to apply some of that to his game and becomes a prospect, then it was a good lesson to offer. As for Pena, he is a prospect right now and I believe he is subject to the amateur draft. If that is the case, his performance certainly earned him some money.

Besides that lively fastball, he also showed a plus breaking ball, a 73-76 mph curveball with a very sharp change of direction. It looked perhaps like he was throwing a spike curveball. In any case, he was very aggressive with that pitch and frankly, I love watching pitchers that throw the curveball aggressively. Pena also showed a very usable 77-78 mph change-up. He kept all of his stuff down in the zone and got a lot of ground balls. Pena has power stuff, but he can pitch with it, which will allow him to keep his pitch counts down, which will allow him to reach back and get something extra later in games when he wants or needs a strikeout.

Ok, so clearly I liked Pena. He is an upper round talent, but like I said, I think he is subject to the draft, but not for sure. As for some players from that game that are draft eligible, the players that stood out the most to me were Tyler Slocum, a SS/OF for the Louisiana team, his teammate, catcher Dillon Guillory (committed to Louisiana-Lafayette), and for the NY/SF team I liked SS Jonathan Fernandez (son of Tony Fernandez, former MLB All-Star shortstop), and to a lesser extent, right-hander Nick McCalley (committed to Coastal Carolina).

Slocum has tools that stand out for the pro game. He has a plus arm from both SS and the outfield, which he showed off during the Skill Show workout, reaching 90+ from each position. Not only does he have the arm, he is at least an average runner and is athletic. Though his swing is a bit long, he does get the barrel to the ball pretty well and he is strong with some physical projectability (6'0" 170).

Right now he is a strong prospect as a draft and follow, but with some refinement in his game, particularly his fielding technique at SS and better timing with the bat, it is conceivable to see him going around the 15th round and going out next summer. He reminded me somewhat of a high school shortstop from Hamilton HS in Arizona that was drafted and signed in the 4th round with the Cubs this past draft, Dylan Johnston. The difference is that Johnston is a left hand hitter and a notch better runner, thus he was a 4th rounder. Johnston was known to be very signable and Slocum could be too, as we were informed his academic record has kept him from receiving D1 offers at this point.

Guillory is a strong armed catcher with quick footwork and a quick arm. In that game against NY/SF he threw out a runner and I had him in the range of 1.90 on that throw. Now, I might have been a smidge off (though I don't feel like I was), but regardless, he tossed a laser right on the bag. In the Skill Show workout he showed the same type of footwork and arm strength. Guillory also showed strong block and recover abilities and a playable bat. Did I mention that he is a switch hitter with a 6'1" 185 lb. frame? There will be some pro interest in Guillory as switch hitting catchers with excellent catch/throw skills are not real common, especially at the high school level.

There is another good '06 prospect on the Louisiana team, 6'5" 175 lb. RHP T.J. Forrest, but I did not see him. Oh wait, there was another '06 on Louisiana that sort of caught my eye, though not particularly from a pro perspective. Chandler Laurent is a 5'10" 170 lb. OF/MIF with a plus arm. He showed good defensive abilities and fundamentals in both the outfield and infield. Laurent is an athlete with some tools and should be followed.

A couple of quality '07 arms were on the Louisiana team. Though I did not see him in Jupiter but have seen on a couple of other occasions, LHP Forrest Moore is one to watch in the coming year. The '07 arm I did see and thought deserved some mention, at least from the college perspective was RHP Jordy Poche.

Poche is a small righty (5'9" 165), but he touched up to 91 in his first inning against NY/SF and sat in the 86-88 range for quite awhile. He showed a hard rolling 72-73 mph curveball and an excellent change-up that he threw with command and plus arm speed. Poche also showed the ability to both sink and cut his fastball. Quite a bit of pitchability with him, he will be a good college recruit because of that and because pro ball will shy away from him.

As for the NY/SF Bandit Stars, I did like RHP Nick McCalley, who I saw on two occasions in Jupiter. The concern I had with him was not his stuff or abilities, and if he was really the 6'3" 185 lbs. he was listed at, then he is a legit prospect. However, there is no way (and I am not the only one that felt this way) he is 6'3" 185 - more like 5'11" 200 for me. I did like the quick arm, the 87-90 mph fastball (T91) with sink and the late breaking 71-73 mph curveball he was able to throw for strikes.

Fernandez was another player that caught my eye on the NY/SF team. He has such similar actions and body type of his father that for any fan that watches as much baseball as I have my whole life, it was obvious that he had to be related to former All-Star and Gold Glove winning shortstop Tony Fernandez. His actions were fluid and he made plays on the run look easy. He is a switch hitter and appears to be much more physical than his father would have been at a similar age, though I must tell you that my history of watching Tony is limited to seeing him on TV with the Blue Jays, among other teams. After all, I am only 32 and was 10 years old when he broke into the Big Leagues in 1983.

That is another of the great things about scouting high profile PG events like WWBA in Jupiter, there are always sons of ex-big leaguers and those players always get at least a second look. The genes and lineage of a player is very important when considering the type of player a youngster may become. There is also the factor of those players having polished games and a general comfort level around the game. Though it is not a guarantee that a son of an ex-big leaguer is going to be a future star or even prospect, but there are plenty that are.

Some of present day crop of sons of ex-big leaguers or those with pro athlete lineage that were in Jupiter include Fernandez, INF Marcus Lemon (father is former All-Star Chet Lemon, OF with White Sox and Tigers, now the coach of Chet Lemon's Juice), RHP Chris Andujar (father is former All-Star Joaquin Andujar, RHP with Astros and Cardinals), SS Justin Jackson (I believe his uncle is former NBA All-Star Brad Daugherty), RHP Tyree Hayes (father Charlie Hayes, 3B with Phillies, Yankees, Giants, Rockies), don't think he attended (injured) but was on a roster and has attended PG/WWBA events - RHP Kyle Drabek (father is former All-Star and Cy Young winner Doug Drabek, RHP with Pirates, Astros, others), and SS Steve Lombardozzi (father Steve Lombardozzi, SS with Twins, Astros). The likelihood is that there were others there too.

After the hitting lesson tangent and the ex-big league dad thing, I am not going to get to the night games from the Friday at 2005 WWBA Championships. However, I promise to get to them in the next report. They were well worth my time and there were plenty of prospects to report about. But I am not finished with this report because...

I missed a couple of the best young prospects in the earlier blocks of games. An '07 RHP (6'5" 190) named Rick Porcello, pitching for the Farrah's Builders team out of New Jersey, was seen up to 94 mph by the scouts covering his game and his teammate, '06 LHP (6'2" 170) Jeffrey Locke also reportedly touched up to 93 in a relief appearance in that game. I did see Locke later in the tournament and was very impressed by him. Locke is a quick armed lefty with wide, sloped shoulders and a good, leveraged delivery. He tilted the fastball and in the two innings I saw he was 88-91.

I also like his breaking ball and saw him lock up hitters with its tight spin and late action.

I had velocity readings for his curveball anywhere from 78 mph down to 68 mph but the shape seemed to be about the same, a hard 12/6 breaker. He came in with the fastball against righties and I felt like he showed some pitchability. Gotta love those strong armed cold weather (he is from New Hampshire) lefties with athletic and projectable bodies. Look for Locke to possibly get some early round consideration this spring. A 6'2" 170 lb. lefty with the ability to reach up to 93 and with a good hook, yeah, I think someone will like him.

While I was watching Hassan Pena, I missed two RHP prospects for the East Coast Grays in their game against Midland. Brian Dupra, a 6'3" 180 lb. RHP from Rochester, New York was reportedly 88-92 against Midland. Rawnsley had given Dupra's name as a kid to see if I got a chance. Well, I missed my chance when watching Pena. I also missed him teammate, 6'4" 185 lb. '07 RHP Matt Harvey. I was told by our scouts that in that same game against Midland that Harvey was up to 94 mph. To boot, on the second day he showed big time resilience by reaching up to 93 mph, though I missed that game as well.

So, as you can see, there is not a perfect science for one roving scout to catch all the top action. You roll the dice, commit to a game, get out of it what you can, then move on to another one. Do I wish I had missed Pena to see Harvey and Dupra? I was disappointed, but that is just the way it goes. If I had seen Dupra and Harvey, that would mean I missed Pena and that would have also disappointed me.

The point I need to make here is that even though I did not see them, our Perfect Game staff did, and they are able to report it. Again, a fine illustration of why these events are such a valuable service to the game. Our listing of all the pitchers that registered fastballs above 88 mph just goes to show how many quality players were in Jupiter.

Cubano100%

12-10-2005, 03:22 AM

Orlando "El Duke" Hernandez (Mr. October)

3 World Series Rings with The New York Yankees
1999 ALCS MVP with The New York Yankees
1 World Series Ring with The Chicago White Sox
Post Season Record 9 wins 3 loses 2.55 ERA

Livan Hernandez

1 World Series Ring with the Florida Marlins
World Series and NLCS MVP with the Florida Marlins
Post Season Record 6 wins 2 loses 3.99 ERA
2005 Washington Nationals All Star

Jose Contreras

1 World Series Ring with The Chicago White Sox
Post Season Record 3 wins and 3 loses 3.77 ERA

Rolando Arrojo

1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays All Star

Danys Baez

2005 Tampa Bay Devil Rays All Star

Rey Ordonez

3 Times Gold Glove Winner with The New York Mets

Cubano100%

12-16-2005, 11:35 PM

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/baseball/13386734.htm

Cuban Bárbaro Cañizares, who is playing in Nicaragua, wants the opportunity to show he can play in the major leagues.BY KEVIN BAXTERkbaxter@herald.comFifty dollars.
That's all it took to change Bárbaro Cañizares' life forever. And though time will ultimately tell if it's changed for better or worse, on at least one level worse seems to be winning. In a rout.

''I can't stand not being with him,'' said Onix Vargas, a Miami beautician and the Cuban ballplayer's girlfriend of 12 years. ``It hurts. I want him with me, because I want to start a family. We want to start a family. But we can't do that if we're apart.''

And they have been apart for more than a year, since shortly after Cañizares said goodbye to the rest of his family in Cuba to begin a complicated journey that took him to the Bahamas, Florida, Mexico, Costa Rica and finally to Nicaragua, where he leads that country's four-team winter league in hits (40), home runs (eight) and RBI (27) through 33 games.
That might be good enough to earn him a shot at playing -- and starting a family -- in the United States, which is all he has wanted. This month, the Yankees and Mets sent scouts to see Cañizares play with the Mets' Wilfredo Blanco, liking enough of what he saw to recommend a contract and a $20,000 bonus.

HAVING FAITH

''I have faith that I'll get the chance to go,'' Cañizares said from Managua, where he plays on a Boer team featuring fellow Cubans Michael Abreu, Yosandri Ibañez and Maikel Neninger. They left the island together in February 2004, placing them among the 29 baseball players who have defected from Cuba in the past two years but have yet to sign with big-league teams.

Cañizares' journey began shortly after he gave a fan in Havana the shirt off his back. What he didn't know, though, was the foreigner he sold his national team jersey to was an official with the U.S. Interests Section. Because of that, Cañizares received a lifetime suspension from Cuban baseball -- and left him no choice but to defect.

''That was like telling me I couldn't live,'' he told Nicaraguan journalist Edgard Rodriguez. ``My life was baseball. My dream was to make the Cuban team. I had no interest in politics.''
Sounds good, but the truth is a bit more complicated. An earlier defector, Osmani Garcia, told one baseball agent that Cañizares was ''crazy'' about leaving as far back as 1999 -- desires Cañizares confirmed in Mexico in 2002, days before security around the Cuban team was tightened following the defection of pitcher Jose Contreras.

The suspension, however, forced his hand.
''I was going to leave,'' he said. ``It didn't matter how.''
But he might have acted too late. Although Cañizares insists he is 26 years old, he already had played eight full seasons in the Cuban national series by 2002, when he was named MVP of the Intercontinental Cup tournament in Havana. The Cuban roster at that competition listed his birth date as Nov. 21, 1974, which would make him 31 now -- ancient for a 6-2, 220-pound catcher starting in pro ball.

AMONG THE LEADERS

On the plus side is his performance in Nicaragua, his first real competition in two years. Aside from his power numbers, Cañizares also ranks among the league leaders in doubles (eight), triples (three), runs (23) and batting (.325). Every one of those numbers is better than those of Abreu, who got a $425,000 bonus to sign with the Red Sox in September, only to have the deal voided when Abreu was unable to establish the proper residency to qualify for a visa, then was found to have lied about his age.
''All we want is the chance to go [to the U.S.] and demonstrate what we can do,'' said Abreu, who was hitting .264 with five homers and 15 RBI through 110 at-bats for Boer. ``For now, we've stopped here, but at least the possibility exists to go forward.''
And that's something -- among other things -- the players didn't have in Cuba.
''Everyone is free to think, to act, to do what they want,'' said Neninger, who was 2-3 with a 4.10 ERA in seven games. ``That allows us to overcome the other things we don't have, like money, to reach our goals.''

Added Cañizares, who gets about $2,000 a month plus room and board in Nicaragua: ``We're better off here than in Cuba, because at least we're free and we can do what we want and achieve what we can. We feel bad, because we haven't accomplished what we want. But we have faith we'll get the chance.''

Cubano100%

12-16-2005, 11:45 PM

Complete stats, click below:

http://www.lnbp.net/pro-stats.htm

Barbaro Canizares y Michel Abreu are killing the pitching in Nicaragua.

Home Runs

Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo 9
Michel Abreu, Bo 9
Wilson Batista, Ch 5 (Dominican)

AVERAGE

Wilson Batista, Ch .347
Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo .336
Danilo Sotelo, SF .333
Próspero González, Ch .322
Justo Rivas, Le .311
Michel Abreu, Bo .308

RBI

Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo 34
Wilson Batista, Ch 31
Carlos Villalobos, Ch 27
Michel Abreu, Bo 25

Cubano100%

12-17-2005, 12:09 AM

Alay Soler did not pitch to much in 2 years. Only 15 innings in the 2004 Dominican Winter league. Even tough he had a 5.34 ERA, he struck out 22 batters.

Now he is pitching for the Ponce Lions in Puerto Rico. In 14 innings, he has not allowed a run yet.

To our Boricua friends: Is there a place that list the players stats in Puerto Rico?

Even though he will go to Spring training, he will start the season in Port Lucie. The Mets want to protect him from the April cold weather. He may push one of the back end starter out of the rotation sooner than expected though.

"For those who think that the Cuban national league is A Ball"

Canizares, Abreu, Alexis Hernandez, Mikel Jova, Miguel Perez and Arian Cruz (excellent ERA) performances in Nicaragua; Soler in Puerto Rico; Raul Valdez and Brayan Pena good performances in the Dominican should leave no doubt that the Cuban National league is the strongest A league in the world.

PUERTO RICO

Soler vence a los Lobos
ARECIBO -- El cubano Alay Soler no permitió carreras en cinco actos en la victoria 6-1 de los Leones de Ponce sobre los Lobos de Arecibo.
Soler, quien lanza por primera vez en Puerto Rico como pelotero profesional, no ha permitido carreras en 14 actos.
Su apertura el miércoles fue la primera en lo que va del torneo, ya que los Leones lo estaban usando como relevista.

http://www.miami.com/mld/elnuevo/sports/13417779.htm

Cubano100%

12-17-2005, 12:27 AM

Some Cubans among the Italian oriundos!

SQUADRA-Team GIOCATORE-Defector

Palfinger Reggio Emilia Julio Villalon

http://www.baseball.it/dati_squadra.asp?ID=331&anno=2005

C. dei Normanni Paternò Jesus Ametler

http://www.baseball.it/dati_squadra.asp?ID=205&anno=2005

Caffè Danesi Nettuno Roberto Colina
Caffè Danesi Nettuno William Ortega

http://www.baseball.it/dati_squadra.asp?ID=105&anno=2005

Cubano100%

12-17-2005, 12:29 PM

12/16/2005 4:37 PM ET
Soler is Mets dark horse reliever
Former Cuban star hopes to impress this spring
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

Mets Headlines

It's no secret that the Mets have been trying to beef up their pitching staff, particularly their starting rotation. Kris Benson has spent time on the trading block this winter as general manager Omar Minaya continues looking for ways to tinker, hoping to find a way to upgrade a solid but not outstanding staff.
Minaya may not have to look further than his own organization to find a dark horse candidate who could provide the help he seeks. Alay Soler, the Cuban defector whom New York finally brought into the fold at the end of October, has been brilliant so far while pitching for Ponce in the Puerto Rican Winter League. While it's difficult to get too excited about statistics, especially in the watered down world of the Winter Leagues, Soler seems to offer more than a glimmer of hope in what many believe has become a pitching-depleted system.

The hard-throwing right-hander is 1-0 in four games (two starts) for Ponce and hasn't allowed a run in 14 innings. He's struck out nine and walked five while opposing hitters are batting .104 against him. In contrast, Jason Scobie, who pitched last season at Triple-A Norfolk and led the organization with 15 victories, was 1-2 with a 10.50 ERA in four starts for Ponce with the opposition hitting .418 against him.

"I feel good, but it still feels like I have a little bit more to go until I'm 100 percent," said Soler, 26, whose only other meaningful innings since he pitched for the Cuban National Team in 2003 were the 15 1/3 he recorded last year in the Dominican Winter League. "It's not injuries or anything like that. I just haven't pitched in a while. I'm still fine tuning everything. Everything is starting to take off the way it's supposed to, though.

"I didn't feel I'd be this effective coming in here, but I'm working hard and everything is now falling into place little by little. I'm effective and that's all that counts. I hope the club takes that into consideration for next [2006] season."

While the club will give Soler a long look in the spring, it's difficult to say where he would fit in, especially if Benson is still in the picture. There are already six starters for five spots with Brian Bannister waiting in the wings at Norfolk. He would conceivably compete with Jae Seo, who had a remarkable August, and Victor Zambrano, who lost his spot in the rotation. New York's middle and long relief remains a muddled situation so there is the possibility that Soler could come out of the 'pen if he pitches well enough in camp to make the team.

"I'm not worried about it," said Soler, who went 10-4 with a 2.01 ERA in 125 1/3 innings for Pinar Del Rio of the Cuban League in 2003, striking out 102 and walking only 17. I know I have to work hard to earn a spot. Everyone is there for one reason and that's to help the team. Whatever role I have, that's what I'll do to help the team."

Soler will be back in the United States next week, closing on his new Virginia waterfront home. Next Friday, he's planning on visiting the Children's Hospital in Norfolk and has already made a substantial donation to the Ronald McDonald House. Soler loves children, and he wants to do his part for the holidays. He left his two sons in Cuba and although he speaks to them regularly, he hasn't seen them since he defected in 2004.

Though Soler will return to Puerto Rico after the holidays to continue pitching for Ponce, he's scheduled to participate in the 15th annual Rookie Career Development Program in Virginia in mid-January. While he's already experienced so much during his time in Cuba and during his subsequent flight to and exile in the Dominican Republic, he wants to participate in the program in an effort to get better acclimated to life in the Major Leagues.

"I've had good times and bad times, but I feel at this time I have an open road ahead of me," said Soler, who signed a three-year $2.8 million deal in 2004. "I basically led the big league life when I played for Cuba though it wasn't much. I was living the lifestyle on the National Team."

As for his friends and teammates on Cuba's National Team, Soler said that he was sad to hear that they may not be able to participate in next spring's World Baseball Classic because of the United States embargo on his country.

"It's too bad because the young guys can't come here and show everyone what they have," said Soler, whose repertoire includes a fastball, sinker, slider, changeup and occasional knuckleball. "Still, I'd like the U.S. to put together a Cuban team that I can play for and represent my country that way."

Soler expects to arrive in St. Lucie sometime in late January, three weeks ahead of report time for Spring Training. He wants to continue working out and not lose any of the ground he has gained by pitching in Puerto Rico.

"He can't wait to get to the U.S. and play baseball for the Mets," Soler's agent Joe Rosario said. "He goes to sleep early every night so the next day can come."

Kevin T. Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051216
&content_id=1283417&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym

By the way, Mr. Brian Banister got rocked by Cuba in Holland. The American team did not show up for the game to decide the fifth place. The American team went shopping instead of playing the game. I wonder how the people in Holland perceived that.

Agente Libre

12-18-2005, 01:04 AM

The U.S. skipped their last game because the field was unplayable, not because they wanted to go shopping.

Cubano100%

12-18-2005, 03:25 PM

The U.S. skipped their last game because the field was unplayable, not because they wanted to go shopping.

Was the USA the only team that found the field unplayable?

Agente Libre

12-18-2005, 03:36 PM

There was a huge rainstorm and the field was not in good shape. It did not make sense to risk injury over 5th place in a tournament that really didn't mean much anyway.

Cubano100%

12-19-2005, 04:05 AM

In Nicaragua, Cuban Michel Abreu of Boer Indians hit 2 home runs in a game and leads the league with 11.

Where are the Marlins?

I wonder why they can not fill the stadium.

Agente Libre

12-19-2005, 10:24 AM

From what I've heard, Abreu still can't sign a contract because his papers aren't in order.

Cubano100%

12-20-2005, 05:16 AM

From what I've heard, Abreu still can't sign a contract because his papers aren't in order.

That was when Boston voided his contract. He was in Mexico first. Then, he went to Costa Rica where Cubans have solved their legal status in the past. Now, he is in Nicaragua. I bet you he has some type of Costa Rican document when he can travel to Nicaragua. If he does not have one, I guess he will get Nicaraguan citizenship by playing there and promoting their new league. Money talks!

Agente Libre

12-20-2005, 10:12 AM

Maybe, but he's been out of Cuba for 2 years, so something has gone wrong in his situation. I doubt Boston would have voided his contract if they thought his paperwork would be resolved quickly.

Cubano100%

12-22-2005, 12:43 AM

In Nicaragua, Cuban Barbaro Canizares of Boer Indians hit a home run and now has 10 behind fellow Cuban Michel Abreu that has 11.

Cubano100%

12-23-2005, 10:23 PM

I just found out with other Cubans that pitcher Reinier Bermudez (Metropolitanos Warriors and Industriales Lions) is in the USA. He played in the 44 Series.

He will be entering the 2006 MLB draft.

Man, we need some hitters to defect. What is going on with Cuban pitchers? The pitchers are leading the hitters in defections. I guess the 32 millions given to Jose Contreras has somthing to do with it.

Everybody expects Kendry Morales to put big numbers soon. That is a lot of pressure on this guy. But Super Kendry is young and have some time to adjust to his new life.

Barbaro Canizares y Michel Abreu are killing the pitching in Nicaragua.

Home Runs

Michel Abreu, Bo 11
Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo 10
Wilson Batista, Ch 6 (Dominican)

AVERAGE

Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo .350
Wilson Batista, Ch .349
Justo Rivas, Le .313
Michel Abreu, Bo .309

RBI

Wilson Batista, Ch 38
Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo 37
Michel Abreu, Bo 32

Cubano100%

12-29-2005, 06:14 AM

Do you want to watch a gorgeous play?

Click the below link:

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=435358

Under Multimedia, select Betancourt's Gorgeous Play.

Michel Abreu hit his 12 leading Hr in Nicaragua.

Cubano100%

12-29-2005, 08:18 PM

Notes: Betancourt drawing comparisons
Defensive similarities to Vizquel have infielder on fast track
By Chris Hester / Special to MLB.com

Yuniesky Betancourt entered Wednesday with one error over 44 games this season. (Jeff Roberson/AP)

SEATTLE -- Yuniesky Betancourt is making a good impression playing shortstop for the Mariners. The slick-fielding middle infielder is already being compared to one of the game's greatest defensive shortstops, former Mariner and current San Francisco Giant Omar Vizquel.
"Everybody keeps wanting to compare him to Vizquel, and I think that's good -- I don't think there's anything wrong with that," manager Mike Hargrove said of the comparison between his current shortstop and the 11-time Gold Glove Award winner he used to manage in Cleveland. "The difference between Omar and Yuni is that Omar's been doing it for 20 years and Yuni's been doing it for about a month. He certainly is a very talented defender, and I think he's going to hit."

Betancourt made a pair of defensive gems in Tuesday night's 2-1 victory over the Angels. In the first inning, Vladimir Guerrero hit a roller toward short with two outs and a runner on third base. Betancourt charged and picked the ball bare-handed before throwing a strike to first base to end the inning.

In the seventh inning, the Angels plated their only run of the game and had runners on the corners with two away when the left-handed-hitting Steve Finley lofted a ball down the left-field line. With left fielder Raul Ibanez shading Finley toward the gap, Betancourt was forced to race into the outfield, making the catch in foul ground with his back to the infield.

"The play he made down the line on the foul ball, that's as good a play as you'll see anybody make," Hargrove added. "I thought that was more impressive than the barehand [play], but they both were pretty good."

The 23-year-old Cuban has been almost flawless in the field, handling 149 chances at shortstop and making just one miscue for a .993 fielding percentage. At second base, he's handled 44 chances without making an error.

With the bat, Betancourt is hitting .222 with six doubles, four triples and seven RBIs in 42 games since being called up from Triple-A Tacoma on
July 28.

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050914&content_id=1209622&vkey=news_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea

Cubano100%

12-30-2005, 11:00 PM

The Ponce Lions and Alain Soler beat The Arecibo Wolves 2 to 1.

Soler retired 20 consecutive hitters until Omar garcia hit a HR in the 7 th inning. Soler allowed only 2 hits.

Picture of Alain Soler
"El Toro/The Bull"
http://www.anteprima.net/Baseball/fotografie/FOTO/AlainSoler.jpg

Cubano100%

01-06-2006, 07:30 AM

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico.

The Ponce Lions beat the Mayaguez Indians 6-5.
Gabriel Martínez had 3 RBI in support of Cuban right handed Alain Soler (3-2).
Soler trew 7 innings in which he faced 25 batters. He allowed 2 Earned Runs on 3 hits. He also had 7 SO and 1 walk.

Cubano100%

01-09-2006, 02:30 AM

Bold indicates Cuban defectors.

Batting Ave

Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo .352
Wilson Batista, Ch .333
Justo Rivas, Le .315
Michel Abreu, Bo .315
Henry Roa, Le .309
Edgard López, Ch .308
Alexis Hernández, Le .304
Danilo Sotelo, SF .304
Ofilio Castro, SF .301
Maikel Jova, Le .300

Hits

Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo 68
Wilson Batista, Ch 64
Maikel Jova, Le 61
Norman Cardoze, SF 56
Michel Abreu, Bo 56

2B

Walter Sevilla, Ch 13
Maikel Jova, Le 12

3B

Mario Holmann, SF 3
Wilson Batista, Ch 3
Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo 3
Rivas y Bonilla, Le 3

Home Runs

Michel Abreu, Bo 14
Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo 10
Wilson Batista, Ch 6
Danilo Sotelo, SF 5

Runs

Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo 42
Wilson Batista, Ch 36
Dwaine Bacon, Ch 36
Carlos Villalobos, Ch 36
Jimmy González, Bo 32
Danilo Sotelo, SF 31

RBI

Wilson Batista, Ch 42
Michel Abreu, Bo 39
Bárbaro Cañizares, Bo 37
Maikel Jova, Le 33
Alexis Hernández, Le 33
Carlos Villalobos, Ch 33
Norman Cardoze, SF 32

Stolen Bases

Mario Holmann, SF 13
Dwaine Bacon, Ch 12
Rogearvin Bernadina, SF 11

ERA

Aristides Sevilla, Le 1.34
Julio Raudez, Ch 1.60
Jairo Pineda, SF 2.45
Rafael Batista, SF 2.50
Miguel Pérez, Ch 2.54
Devorn Hansack, Le 2.79
Franklin Sánchez, SF 2.93
Miguel Gómez, Bo 3.23
Julio Villalón, Le 3.61
Olman Rostrán, Ch 3.66

Wins

Julio Raudez, Ch 10-0
Franklin Sánchez, SF 7-3
Miguel Pérez, Ch 7-3
Aristides Sevilla, Le 6-2
Rafael Batista, SF 6-5

Losses

Miguel Gómez, Bo 4-6
Maikel Neninger, Bo 2-5
Rafael Batista, SF 6-5

Saves

Boanerges Espinoza, Ch 9
Amauri Sanit, Le 8
Donald Calderón, SF 6
Pineda and Rojano, SF 4

Strikeouts

Devorn Hansack, Le 89
Franklin Sánchez, SF 68
Miguel Pérez, Ch 48
Miguel Gómez, Bo 44
Aristides Sevilla, Le 43

Walks

Estelin Soto, Bo 36
Rafael Batista, SF 33
Byron Zepeda, Bo 29
Devorn Hansack, Le 26
Neninger and Colón, Bo 24
Pérez, Ch and Pineda, SF 24

Innings

Franklin Sánchez, SF 76.2
Rafael Batista, SF 75.2
Devorn Hansack, Le 71.0
Aristides Sevilla, Le 67.1
Julio Raudez, Ch 67.1
Miguel Pérez, Ch 63.2
Miguel Gómez, Bo 61.1

Complete Games

Gómez, Bo and Sevilla, Le 1

Shutouts
Miguel Gómez, Bo 1

Cubano100%

01-10-2006, 01:45 AM

Though I have written in the past that Winter Leagues are overrated, this is a good start for Soler. At least his performance has showed that his talent is above winter ball.

In Puerto Rico, the Ponce Lions beat the Manati Atenienses for the second straight game. Cuban right handed Alain Soler (Mets) tossed 6 innings of one hit ball.

Puerto Rican newspaper link: Spanish

http://www.primerahora.com/noticia.asp?guid=8752DC3E55124CD98EFE546081B3D5EF

From the Mets web site:

His Ponce teammate, Alay Soler, is the Cuban defector who seemingly looms larger in the Mets' plans now than he did a month ago. Soler has a 3-2 record and a 2.37 ERA in eight games -- six starts -- with 25 strikeouts and just 25 baserunners in 38 innings.

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060106&content_id=1291951&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym

Cubano100%

01-10-2006, 11:22 AM

01/06/2006 1:27 PM ET

Pena producing big numbers this winter
Talented catcher among club's prospects having solid seasons

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

There doesn't appear to be any room on the 2006 Atlanta roster for Brayan Pena. But the 24-year-old catcher appears ready to come to Spring Training with intentions of proving he's got the offensive skills necessary to be a productive big leaguer.
Coming off a season in which he hit .326 for Triple-A Richmond, Pena has continued his hot hitting in the Dominican Winter League. Playing for Gigantes, he produced a .326 batting average (49-for-168) with three homers and 25 RBIs.

The switch-hitting Pena was among the league leaders in several offensive categories. He ranked second in doubles (15), third in extra-base hits (19) and fifth in hits (61).

"The guy puts the ball in play and doesn't strike out," Braves assistant general manager Dayton Moore said. "He has incredible hand-eye coordination and is a winning-type baseball player. Every team he has been on, everybody has rallied around him and drawn from his energy."

Pena, who defected from his native Cuba in 2000, was promoted to Atlanta three times last year. He recorded a hit in his Major League debut (May 23), but ended up producing just a .179 batting average in 39 at-bats.

With Brian McCann set to be the starting catcher and Todd Pratt slated to be his backup, Pena will likely begin this season back in Richmond. But the organization has noticed the consistent offensive production he's continued to provide since signing in November 2000.

"He's established himself and given the organization a lot of confidence that he can play in the big leagues," Moore said. "He's just going to have to wait for the opportunity. One thing about him is that he's going to give you all he's got wherever he is."

Because Gigantes didn't qualify for the playoffs, Pena has joined Estrellas, which is currently playing in the round-robin portion of the league's playoffs.

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060106&content_id=1291995&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

Cubano100%

01-13-2006, 06:59 AM

Cuban RHP pitcher and former Industriales Lions prospect Hassan Pena was clocked at 93 MPH in Juniper, Florida. He had one start to show his skills to the scouts and plan to enter the 2006 MLB Draft.

http://www.perfectgame.org/2005/stories/12_01_05_88_or_more.cfm

Fermin Lafita

01-19-2006, 01:32 PM

Francisley Bueno and Canizares both signed with the Braves

Cubano100%

01-19-2006, 01:54 PM

Francisley Bueno and Canizares both signed with the Braves

Looks like the Atlanta Braves are now the Havana Braves!

C Brayan Pena
SS Yunel Escobar
LF/C Barbaro Canizares
Pitcher Francisley Bueno

That is good news! How about Michel Abreu and Osbeck Castillo?

Agente Libre

01-19-2006, 02:14 PM

What were the bonuses for Bueno and Canizares?

Cubano100%

01-20-2006, 10:01 AM

Barbaro Canizares is traveling to the Dominican Republic to work out at the Braves baseball academy. He probably will start the season en AA.

Agente Libre

01-20-2006, 11:03 AM

Maybe ... sounds like he doesn't have papers yet if he's traveling to D.R. instead of just going to Florida. He's practically old enough to be the father of some of the kids at the D.R. academy.

There were drug allegations swirling around Bueno; curious if the Braves were aware of that. (Before he defected, Bueno was supposedly booted off Cuba's 2004 Olympic team for failing a drug test.)

bppb266

01-23-2006, 09:26 AM

First of all ..i want to say hello to everybody..specially to those who came from cuba and keep baseball on blood :-)

I want to apologize for my english. Its not perfect.

So.. here.. a list of cubans who were in winter leagues this year

NAME TEAM COUNTRY

FRANCISLEY BUENO LEONES DEL ESCOGIDO REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
OSBECK CASTILLO LEONES DEL ESCOGIDO REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
BRAYAN PEÑA GIGANTES DE CIBAO REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
RAUL VALDEZ AZUCAREROS DEL ESTE REPUBLICA DOMINICANA

RAFAEL GALBIZO CRIOLLOS DE CAGUAS PUERTO RICO
JOSE CORDERO CRIOLLOS DE CAGUAS PUERTO RICO
ALAY SOLER LEONES DE PONCE PUERTO RICO

ARIAN CRUZ LEONES DE LEON NICARAGUA
JULIO CESAR VILLALON LEONES DE LEON NICARAGUA
AMAURY SANIT LEONES DE LEON NICARAGUA
ALEXIS HERNANDEZ LEONES DE LEON NICARAGUA
MAIKEL JOVA LEONES DE LEON NICARAGUA
YOSANDRY IBAÑEZ BOER MANAGUA NICARAGUA
BARBARO CAÑIZARES BOER MANAGUA NICARAGUA
MICHEL ABREU BOER MANAGUA NICARAGUA
MICHAEL NENNINGER BOER MANAGUA NICARAGUA
MIGUEL PEREZ TIGRES DEL CHINANDEGA NICARAGUA
ALEJANDRO ZUAZNABAR TIGRES DEL CHINANDEGA NICARAGUA
ALEXEI HERNANDEZ SAN FERNANDO MASAYA NICARAGUA

ADRIAN HERNANDEZ CARDENALES DE LARA VENEZUELA
MAYQUE QUINTERO PASTORA DE LOS LLANOS VENEZUELA
JORGE TOCA TIBURONES DE LA GUAIRA VENEZUELA
VLADIMIR NUÑEZ TIBURONES DE LA GUAIRA VENEZUELA
ALEX SANCHEZ LEONES DE CARACAS VENEZUELA

HANSEL IZQUIERDO MAYOS DE NAVAJOA MEXICO
ARIEL PRIETO YAQUIS DE OBREGON MEXICO
MICHAEL TEJERA YAQUIS DE OBREGON MEXICO

That's all

B.

Agente Libre

01-23-2006, 06:30 PM

Who is Alejandro Zuaznabar? Never heard of him.

Cubano100%

01-23-2006, 10:47 PM

Who is Alejandro Zuaznabar? Never heard of him.

I think he was in one of the junior teams. He defected to Venezuela and had 6 ABs in the Nicaraguan Winter League but he went back to Venezuela due to family matters. I think he played in the Venezuela Summer League prior to his trip to Nicaragua. I found out about him in the Nicaraguan Winter League Web Site.

bppb266

01-24-2006, 02:46 AM

Who is Alejandro Zuaznabar? Never heard of him.

Well there is not a lot of references about him...

He played at junior level with Kendry Morales & others . here is a link (in spanish)

http://www.inder.co.cu/indernet/Provincias/stg/lideres_beisbol_juvenil_final.htm

Also, he played for Metropolitanos in the 43 Series (2003). I dont know how much time.

B.

bppb266

01-24-2006, 05:56 AM

I know could be some lost data, but i will appreciate any help to complete this info. I want to create a database or centralized web to follow all defectors (its not a good word in my opinion) over the years. Other idea could be colaborate with cubanball.com to create this kind of database. what do you think about this ?

2005 Major League Players

Orlando Hernandez ------------- Chicago White Sox
Jose Ariel Contreras ---------- Chicago White Sox
Alex Sanchez ------------------ San Francisco Giants
Brayan Peña ------------------- Atlanta BRaves
Yuniesky Betancourt ----------- Seattle Mariners
Danys Baez -------------------- Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Livan Hernandez --------------- Washington Nationals
Michael Tejera ---------------- Texas Rangers

2005 Minor League Players on Team Rosters

Saidel Beltran ---------------- Charleston Riverdogs (A) ------ New York Yankees P
Jose Angel Cordero ------------ GLC Twins (R) ----------------- Minnesota Twins P
Arian Cruz -------------------- Chattanooga Lookouts (AA) ----- Cincinnati Reds P
Juan Carlos Diaz -------------- Springfield Cardinals (AA) ---- St. Louis Cardinals 1B
Yobal Dueñas ------------------ Trenton Thunder (AA) ---------- New York Yankees 2B
Yunel Escobar ----------------- Rome Braves (A) --------------- Atlanta Braves SS
Osvaldo Fernandez ------------- Tabasco Olmecas (AAA) --------- Mexican League P
Rafael Galbizo ---------------- GLC Marlins (R) --------------- Florida Marlins P
Gary Galvez ------------------- Greenville Bombers (A) -------- Boston Red Sox P
Adrian Hernandez -------------- Vaqueros Laguna (AAA) --------- Mexican League P
Michel Hernandez -------------- Portland Beavers (AAA) -------- San Diego Padres C
Hansel Izquierdo -------------- Altoona Curve (AA) ------------ Pittsburgh Pirates P
Maikel Jova ------------------- New Hampshire Fisher Cats (AA)- Toronto Blue Jays OF
Kendry Morales ---------------- Arkansas Travelers (AA) ------- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1B
Juan Carlos Muñiz ------------- Carolina Mudcats (AA) --------- Florida Marlins OF
Vladimir Nuñez ---------------- Tucson Toros (AAA) ------------ Arizona Diamondbacks P
Eddie Oropesa ----------------- Tabasco Olmecas (AAA) --------- Mexican League P
Branyan Peña ------------------ Richmond Braves (AAA) --------- Atlanta Braves C
Joel Perez -------------------- GLC Yankees (R) --------------- New York Yankees OF
Josue Perez ------------------- AZL Rangers (R) --------------- Texas Rangers OF
Miguel Perez ------------------ Saltillo Saraperos (AAA) ------ Mexican League P
Nestor Perez ------------------ Visalia Oaks (A-Adv) ---------- Tampa Bay Devil Rays 2B
William Plaza ----------------- Charleston Riverdogs (A) ------ New York Yankees C
Ariel Prieto ------------------ Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA) ---- Florida Marlins P
Mayque Quintero --------------- Potomac Nationals (A-Adv) ----- Washington Nationals P
Maels Rodriguez --------------- Missoula Ospreys (R) ---------- Arizona Diamondbacks P
Jorge Luis Toca --------------- Charlotte Knights (AAA) ------- Chicago White Sox 1B
Raul Valdez ------------------- Iowa Cubs (AAA) --------------- Chicago Cubs P
Rolando Viera* ---------------- Tabasco Olmecas (AAA) --------- Mexican League P

2005 Independent League Players on Team Rosters

Edisbel Benitez* -------------- El Paso Diablos --------------- Central League P
Jose Cano* -------------------- El Paso Diablos --------------- Central League IF
Carlos Castillo --------------- El Paso Diablos --------------- Central League IF
Carlos Castillo --------------- Newark Bears ------------------ Atlantic League P
Jorge Diaz -------------------- El Paso Diablos --------------- Central League IF
Alexis Hernandez -------------- Yuma Scorpions ---------------- Golden Baseball League C
Oscar Macias ------------------ El Paso Diablos --------------- Central League IF
Agustin Marquetti* ------------ El Paso Diablos --------------- Central League P
Rolando Viera ----------------- Elmira Pioneers --------------- CAN-AM League P
Amaury Casañas ---------------- Elmira Pioneers --------------- CAN-AM League IF
Yolexandry Reina -------------- Toronto Maple Leafs ----------- Intercounty Baseball League P

2005 International League Players on Team Rosters

Jesus Ametller ---------------- Warriors Paterno -------------- Italian League 2B
Roberto Colina ---------------- Caffe Danesi Nettuno ---------- Italian League 1B
William Ortega ---------------- Caffe Danesi Nettuno ---------- Italian League OF
Amauri Sanit ------------------ El Boer ----------------------- Nicaraguan League P
Julio Cesar Villalon ------------- Palfinger Reggio Emilia --------- Italian League P
* Released

B.

Jake83

01-24-2006, 06:06 AM

Cubano100%

01-24-2006, 09:59 AM

What the Angel are planning to do with Morales is the question. I do not see him as a 1st basemen because of Kotchman and his defensive ability and range in the outfield is well below average which was not known before he defected. He is a monster at the plate though but because he does not have a positon in Anaheim in may be awhile before he is a starter at the Major League level.

DH. He was not good in Cuba defensively either. I think the baseball people knew this. He can play 3B/1B/LF/RF to provide some rest to the other starters. It would be shocking for me to see him not to make the Angels team out of Spring training. That is why the Angels traded Finley and moved Erstad to CF. Casey Kotchman hit only 34 HRs in 5 minor league seasons (A,AA,AAA). He also hit 103 doubles. In contrast, Super Kendry hit 24 HRs and 29 doubles in less than a full season in A, AA, Arizona Fall League.

I hope the Angels keep both though. This year the World Series is between Chi Sox or Angels VS Mets.
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/players/playerpage/387403

Cubano100%

01-24-2006, 10:02 AM

Cubano100%

01-24-2006, 10:39 AM

Mets RHP Alain Soler had 3-2 record during the regular season in the Puerto Rican Winter League. He ended with 2.37 ERA. In the post season, he had a 2-1 record and 1.45 ERA.

Spanish link:

http://www.primerahora.com/noticia.asp?guid=C753F695AB404747A2417B8B13748EE6

Let's go Mets!

Cubano100%

01-29-2006, 01:03 AM

http://havanajournal.com/culture_comments/4340_0_3_0_C/

Agente Libre

01-29-2006, 08:01 AM

Can you post the story? That link didn't work for me.

Cubano100%

01-29-2006, 09:45 PM

Can you post the story? That link didn't work for me.

A Cuban beisbol story

Joselito of the mound

In the upcoming US Major League Baseball games that will include Cuba’s national team, no mention will be made of Jose Ibar (e-bar). Unlike his teammate Jose Contreras who recently signed a four year 32 million dollar deal, Jose Ibar never made it out of Cuba.

Touted at one time as the hardest thrower in all the Cuban leagues, Ibar was the first player ever to win 20 games in a season. He was the pitching star who helped Cuba win Olympic gold in ’92 and ’96. Inside Cuba he was one of the superstars. Everywhere he went people recognized and lionized him. He was even given a new sports car by that ultimate baseball fan Fidel. The picture of Ibar standing beside his new Mitsubishi made it to the US press.

In the 90’s, when MLB scouts began to court various Cuban players to defect with the promise of millions of dollars and freedom’s they could not enjoy in Cuba, Jose Ibar resisted. Like most loyal Cubanos, his first allegiance was to his family and the system that had brought him along as a player. Numerous times he passed up the chance to jump the Cuban ship for greener pastures. As he aged, though, and saw the dismal condition lived by former star Cuban baseball players, he began to have second thoughts. By then, in his early 30’s, the writing was on the wall; he had only a few more years to play at the top level. Any chance at financial security and some prosperity beyond the paltry existence of most Cubans had to be soon. Most Cuban baseball players were living for a month on less than the one-day food allowance of their American or Japanese counterparts.

So, ever faithful to the Fatherland, rather than defect to the Cruel Neighbor To The North and play, Jose requested to be able to go to Japan and play the few remaining years of his illustrious career. A few former Cuban players had been granted this “privilege” by the Castro regime and it had enabled them to secure some buffer against the hardships facing most Cubanos on a daily basis.

Unfortunately for Ibar the decision coming down from on high was “no, no es licito (permitted).” Perhaps it was his own fame that worked against him. For such an “idol” of Cuban nationalism to choose to play out his last years in a capitalist society, coming home “filthy” rich by Cuban standards: well, what would that say about the virtues of “La Revolucion?”

Having passed up multiple opportunities to defect while on foreign soil, one can imagine Jose’s feelings at hearing this. It must have seemed the ultimate insult. Having given the best years of his playing career to the all powerful Cuban state and Fidel, at a salary that was dwarfed by the income of chambermaids and bartenders in the tourist hotels, he was now expected to finish out his career in “Fidel’s Baseball Army” and settle for the meager life that projected into his old age. An icon perhaps, but one scrambling daily just to hold body and soul together, like almost all other Cubanos.

Is it any wonder that Jose chose to try and leave? Even at the cost of leaving his lovely wife, children and family, Jose realized that his last chance at any real financial security was quickly passing. His arm, once mightier than all others, capable of throwing 100 mph fastballs all afternoon, could take only a few more seasons. He simply had to leave soon, or not at all.

Heading out to sea from anywhere in Pinar del Rio, the most western province in Cuba, is a perilous voyage. The Gulf Stream flowing up from the south rushes through the Yucatan Straits like a river torrent, reaching speeds of 10 mph in some areas. If there is a north or easterly breeze, the rushing flow against the winds produces sharp, jagged, high-topped waves that break over a small vessel. It is a notoriously treacherous stretch of water, and full of hungry sharks. Even heading out from the north shore of the peninsula toward the US is dangerous, given the much longer distance to land and again the very rough seas.

No one knows the details of the trip or how Jose and his party were found out and captured at sea. Such things are not spoken of in public in the land of the bearded one. When there is such fear of reprisal that none dare speak the name Fidel, but rather stroke an imaginary beard on their chin to signify his name, anything that might embarrass “el gran jefe” is swiftly swept under the carpet and goes unreported.

The rumor mill has it that Jose was in possession of a gun at the time of his arrest; a big taboo on an island of dictatorship. But, no one can say for sure. When apprehended, any independent thinker in a land of demanded conformity is quickly demonized. Even if the gun story is untrue, the additional stain of the charge will surely mean a long imprisonment.

So, you will not be hearing about the former superstar of Cuban baseball in the upcoming games; the magnificent Joselito who could throw a ball like a bullet and do it all day, the one who led the Cuban team to such golden glory over all the world in ’92 and ’96, the one who came through in the clutch, the kind and devoted good-looking black kid from Granma Province, the one most admired and looked up to by all.

For, during the upcoming games in the US – where he will be – well, you don’t want to go there.

John R. Bomar
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
johnrbomar@hotsprings.net

Cubano100%

01-29-2006, 09:48 PM

Freedom to play

Escobar’s escape from Cuba opens new life
07/09/05
By David Dawson, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer
Email this story to a friend

Yunel Escobar was promoted to Rome after hitting .400 in eight games at rookie league Danville. Ryan Smith / Rome News-Tribune
Although many minor league baseball players feel the most grueling aspect of their profession is the constant travel, it’s highly unlikely that Rome Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar will ever be heard complaining about long late-night bus trips or the living-out-of-a-suitcase lifestyle.

For him, any hardships he might endure during a trip to, say, Augusta or Savannah, are mild inconveniences compared to what he endured last fall — when he literally went on the road trip of a lifetime.

Making a daring escape from Cuba, Escobar spent three straight days stowed away on a boat last October, slowly sailing away from the life he once knew.

The boat eventually found the shoreline in Miami, where Escobar, 22, defected to the U.S. and took up residency for several months before entering last month’s major league draft.

The Atlanta Braves selected him in the second round, ending a whirlwind six-month stretch that forever altered Escobar’s life.

“Getting the chance to play baseball (in the states) is very special to me,” said Escobar, speaking through a translator. “It wasn’t easy for me to get here.”

Simply by making it safely to the states, Escobar likely has already completed the most challenging part of his journey to the major leagues — a path that’s been successfully traveled by a long list of Cuban defectors.

Brayan Pena, who played nine games with Atlanta this year before being sent down to Class AAA Richmond, had a key role in helping the Atlanta organization find out about Escobar, his close friend. The two players were former teammates on the Cuban national team.

After signing with the Braves last month, Escobar was sent to Danville of the rookie-level Appalachian League, but was there only eight games before it became apparent that he was ready for a new set of challenges.

Escobar hit .400 in his abbreviated stay at Danville, and was quickly promoted to Rome. Here he has dazzled fans and the Braves coaching staff with his supreme skills.

“He’s fun to watch,” said Rome manager Rocket Wheeler. “The guy can really make some plays.”

Escobar said his days with the Cuban National Team helped him prepare for professional baseball in the states.

“The pitchers in Cuba were older and had more savvy,” he said. “Here, guys rely more on the power game. But (playing in Cuba) was good for me.”

While baseball prosperity has come quickly, some other elements of Escobar’s transition will take far longer, like adjusting to everyday life in America.

“It’s a process, and it’s going to take time. We’ve been working with him, helping him get accustomed to living here,” said Marco Paddy, the Braves’ director of Latin American operations. Paddy has been traveling with Escobar since he signed last month and served as his interpreter for this story.

Although Escobar knows virtualy no English other than simple baseball lingo, the energetic infielder is one of the Braves’ most boisterous players, both on and off the field. During any given game, he can be heard above the crowd, shouting or whistling at his teammates.

“Two out, guys, two out,” Escobar yells in broken-English, followed by a shrieking whistle that’s loud enough to drown out a train.

“I’ve been doing that (whistling) since I was a little kid,” said Escobar. “It’s fun for me. It’s my way of keeping myself and my teammates focused.”

Escobar, who will likely take English classes during the off-season, is also lively in the clubhouse. He is constantly chattering with teammates, even those who don’t understand what he’s saying.

“He’s really brought a lot of life to this team,” said Wheeler. “He’s such an upbeat guy, and it’s a joy having him on this club.”

Escobar says his enthusiasm comes naturally, and is simply a reflection of his personality and style of play.

“It doesn’t matter what the circumstance, I will always maintain that fire and that energy,” he said. “That’s the way I play all the time.”

According to some, Escobar is already approaching “major-league-ready” status. And although that’s a lofty description, it might also be accurate for a player who’s been on national all-star teams since he was eight years old.

“I don’t feel any pressure about being here,” he said. “I am going to play my game, and be aggressive like I’ve always been.”

For Yunel Escobar, there appears to be nothing but smooth sailing ahead.

http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/680/public/news6...

You can see his picture when you click the above link.

Cubano100%

01-29-2006, 10:42 PM

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/cline200510200828.asp

Agente Libre

01-30-2006, 04:25 AM

Ha ha ha ... That Escobar story is pure fiction. He was smuggled to U.S. on a speedboat and everyone in Miami knows it. (The trip takes a few hours; not 3 days.)

Fermin Lafita

01-30-2006, 09:48 AM

Here is an article from PB POST on Hassan Pena

Commentary: Boat transports young pitcher to new way of life
By Emily J. Minor

Palm Beach Post Staff Columnist

Saturday, January 28, 2006

As a boy in Cuba, Hassan Pena learned to pitch with a baseball made of socks and tape. He'd eaten red meat maybe a half-dozen times. If that.

And his family residence was in such disrepair that the government eventually condemned the building, sending him and his parents off to more dormitory-like living quarters.

Now, he's in America, playing on a community college baseball team, watching his favorite Major League players on television, enjoying the freedom of telling a good Fidel joke — not to mention the occasional triple Whopper with cheese.

It's hard to know which is more satisfying, really, since each of those indulgences has an exhilarating reward.

Pena, 20, a top prospect on Cuba's Industriales team, left there on a speedboat in August, and he won't be going back. He lives with his mother's sister in West Palm Beach. His career advisers are his cousin, Richard Valdes, and Marcos Gonzalez, a Cuban lawyer and the founding partner in the law firm where Valdes works.

I met Pena Thursday after practice, his gray polyester uniform still dusty from the ball field. He was shooting pool in Gonzalez's office, the evening light fading, the sky lit up beyond the windowed 6th-floor wall, like one of those old Florida postcards.

Pretty. But the story of young Pena is rife with danger and emotion.

And promise. The baseball gods willing, Sports Illustrated will get to this story soon.

He tried to leave Cuba twice, was unsuccessful the first time, ended up in jail and on the government's list. If you know anything about Cuba, you know you don't have a rousing career in Cuban baseball after trying to leave.

And it's not that Pena didn't know what he had.

After he'd impressed government officials with his breaking ball, he'd joined an elite group of young athletes. They stayed in nice hotels — not the luxurious ones set aside for tourists, but hotels nonetheless. He had a private shower. He ate an occasional steak.

But after that first attempt, his parents knew life would not be the same for Hassan Pena, their only child.

He says his parents knew their son would "never be a person in Cuba."

So he tried again, and the second time was the charm, and after 10 wretched hours at sea, he reached South Florida dry land in August.

And thus began his American life, the jaw-dropping trips to Wal-Mart and the lobster dinners and the countless hours of ESPN. And while this kid continues to adore this life, Gonzalez worries.

Did he and Valdes do the right thing?

In the complicated world of professional baseball, Pena could have gotten more money right off if he'd first moved to the Dominican Republic or Nicaragua. That way, he could have entered the majors as something called a free agent. Now, he'll go through the draft — which will certainly mean less money.

Gonzalez, who was born in Cuba and came here on the Mariel boatlift, said these decisions tortured him for many nights. But in the end, they decided it was more important for Pena to be with family and learn how to become "a good citizen."

In the end, they decided the kid's talent would carry him through.

Pena is scheduled to pitch today for Palm Beach Community College, and some big-time scouts are supposed to be there. On Thursday, he looked handsome and happy — but still very much like a boy who misses his mother.

Gonzalez said that since August, through it all, a day has rarely passed without Pena wondering aloud about one simple thing.

"He wonders what his mother is eating back in Cuba," Gonzalez said. "He mentions this almost every day."

Cubano100%

01-30-2006, 11:42 AM

Ha ha ha ... That Escobar story is pure fiction. He was smuggled to U.S. on a speedboat and everyone in Miami knows it. (The trip takes a few hours; not 3 days.)

How about the scouting report?

Good for him he came that quick.

Agente Libre

02-02-2006, 12:24 PM

Cubano100%

02-02-2006, 10:52 PM

"Baseball America" just came out with their top 100 draft prospects and Top 25 junior college prospects today, which are compiled from surveys of MLB scouts. Hassan Pena is not on either list, which was surprising. Pena received good reports after the tournament in Jupiter in the fall, but it looks like he'll need to work his way into the higher rounds.

I got their Prospect Handbook and I did not see his name. Maybe it is because he came so late and only pitched in that tournament. He did well in his first start for PBCC. Maybe he ends up with the Havana Braves.

Fermin Lafita

02-03-2006, 03:04 PM

Yeah, I dont know either. I know he pitched as well as anybody at the Jupiter tournament and BA still didnt mentioned his name in their Jupiter wrap up. Maybe its because at that time nobody knew if he was staying in the US. I still think that he'll go in the top 3 rounds and has a chance at going very early if he stays healthy, throws strikes and keeps his speed at 91-93 to go with his great curveball. Although Baseball America didnt write about him, I can tell you there were about 50-60 scouts there for first game

Kiefer

02-03-2006, 03:55 PM

I lived near Ibar's house. He spent several months in prison, and he can't play baseball anymore in Cuba.

Fermin Lafita

02-03-2006, 07:06 PM

Hassan Pitched his second game today
He pitched 6 innings and didnt allow any earned runs and struck out 6. He left the game with the score 6-1, however, he didnt get the win because the other team came back and tied the game at 6. PBCC eventually won the game though
so far he is 1-0, 10 innings pitched 0 earned runs.

Agente Libre

02-03-2006, 08:35 PM

Sounds like Pena is doing well so far but remember, he's 21 years old and everyone else in his league is 17 to 19. It won't be good enough to just have good stats; he'll need to really dominate in order to impress the scouts. (There were several Cubans in their 20s at Miami Dade College last year and they didn't even get drafted, even though they had good stats.)

Fermin Lafita

02-04-2006, 04:24 AM

Here is an article about yesterdays game. Hassan is 20. BTW he is not the oldest kid on the team there are a few 20 year olds on the team. I graduated high school when I was 18 and played JC ball when I was 19 and 20. i dont think there are many 17 year olds on any team he plays. The kids are mostly 19 year olds only a few months younger than Hassan. Anyway, I agree with you that stats isnt the only important thing but it would suck if he has good stuff but cant win games.

MCC drops home opener on errorsMIKE HENRYHerald Staff WriterBRADENTON - In most respects, Manatee Community College's 9-8, 10-inning loss in its home opener against Palm Beach CC was fairly typical for an early February game: a combined 25 hits and seven errors, with all five of the Lancers' miscues coming in the final two innings.
Although the outcome will be relegated to footnote status by next week, coaches, players and a few dozen fans won't soon forget watching Panthers freshman right-hander Hassan Pena shut MCC down for six innings Friday.
The 20-year-old Cuban defector allowed four hits, including doubles by Ryan Williams and Mitch Rodriguez, and struck out seven before exiting with a 6-1 lead.
"(Pena) is going to get a lot of money," said MCC coach Tim Hill. "He has a major-league breaking ball that's a hammer, and he mixed both sides of the plate. His fastball is 90 miles per hour, which is not overpowering, but it's effective with that sharp breaking ball.
"He is the real deal. He kind of handcuffed us."
First-year Panthers coach Alex Morales said Pena is a walk-on who lives with an aunt and uncle in West Palm Beach.
"Lucky me," Morales said.
"He should be a pretty decent draft pick in June. He was throwing both pitches for strikes and located them for the most part, and his velocity was pretty good."
Once Morales left the game, the Lancers (2-2) worked their way back into it. Catcher Steve Giummo blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh, making it 6-3.
The Panthers (3-3) scored an unearned run in the ninth, but the Lancers forced extra innings with a four-run outburst against two relief pitchers.
Williams led off with a single and raced to third base on Sean Morrison's double. A walk to Brent Coleman loaded the bases.
Giummo lined a single to right field, making it 7-4, and three batters later, George Markovich tied the game with a single on a 3-2 pitch.
But two MCC errors in the top of the 10th led to two unearned runs, and the Lancers managed only one run in their half.
"It was sort of disappointing to lose our home opener, but a lot of things happened that we can learn from," Hill said. "Hopefully, we won't be making some of the same mistakes we made (Friday).
The Lancers unveiled their new electronic scoreboard and a carpeted halo behind home plate with "LANCERS" spelled out.

Cubano100%

02-04-2006, 04:54 AM

The below info was from 2004 Cuban National Series. He was 19 then. Now he is 20.

Hassan Pena Sánchez
Fecha de Nacimiento: 25 de marzo de 1985
Lugar: Centro Habana, Ciudad de la Habana
Edad: 19 años
Estatura: 1´84
Peso: 83 kg
Batea: Derecha
Tira: Derecha
Posición: Lanzador
Series: 1
Equipos: Metropolitanos e Industriales (Nacional)
Debut: XLIII Serie Nacional 2003-04 con Metropolitanos
Residencia: Centro Habana, Ciudad de la Habana
Número: 34
Equipos en la Serie Provincial: Centro Habana

Posee todo lo necesario para que se convierta con el paso de algunos años en uno de los mejores lanzadores cubanos. Condiciones físicas idóneas para lanzar y una velocidad elevada que combina con efectivos lanzamientos en rompimiento, le dieron buenas actuaciones en la pasada serie, en la que no obstante le faltó estabilidad. Poco a poco debe ir madurando en todos los sentidos, para que de esa manera los mismos resultados sobresalientes en las categorías precedentes pueda mantenerlo en la Serie Nacional e incluso, extrafronteras.

The key is to let scouts know where he is and keep them informed about his progress. He will be picked by the Braves probably because his former teammates will let the Braves scouts know everything about him.

Anything but those two AA teams in Florida and the Royals would be fine for him.

Agente Libre

02-04-2006, 06:34 AM

If he turns 21 next month, that's not a major difference from what I said earlier.

The fact remains, the vast majority of 21-year-olds are juniors at four-year colleges, and scouts will be taking that into consideration.

Obviously, something caused him to be left off the Baseball America "Top 100" and "Top 25 junior college" lists.

Fermin Lafita

02-04-2006, 07:43 AM

I think scouts care mostly about one thing, and that is: Can this guy get out hitters at the Major league level? Hassan's age can only help him. He is one of the youngest Cuban players with talent to have ever defected. You look at the other Cuban pitchers that defected and most of them were in the second stage of their careers. Most of the time the concern that scouts have is whether the Cuban player is telling his real age. Thus, I find it hard to believe that his age will hurt him, if anything it is one of the things that makes him attractive. I dont know why Baseball America doesnt have him in top 100, maybe there are 100 better players than him. I do know, that he has gotten and will continue to receive a lot of exposure. For a guy that wasn't even that established in Cuba, he has gotten a lot of pub since his arrival. At his first game every team was present,there were at least 50 scouts there. Five teams even had their Scouting directors present. It is all up to Hassan, if he throws like he is capable of, he will be fine. If he doesnt go high in the draft it will be because he didnt perform, not because he was a year older than the kids he was competing against.

Fermin Lafita

02-04-2006, 07:52 AM

Cubano100%

02-04-2006, 08:04 AM

Let's go Hassan. You are from the Industriales Lions team.

When is that Sports Illustrated articule coming out?

Cubano100%

02-04-2006, 08:11 AM

What are his pitches? Laffita.

Fermin Lafita

02-04-2006, 08:15 AM

Fast Ball, Curve, Change, and a fast knuckle ball that drops like a split finger

Cubano100%

02-04-2006, 08:17 AM

Fast Ball, Curve, Change, and a fast knuckle ball that drops like a split finger

Thanks. He got the tools.

jon7jmets

02-04-2006, 08:58 AM

February 4, 2006 -- The Mets have signed Michel Abreu, a Cuban defector expected to provide some insurance at first base.
According to a baseball official, Abreu will get a one-year minor league deal and probably will be a minor leaguer for the Mets. The two sides came to terms on Wednesday, said Abreu's agent Bernie McGregor.

According to McGregor, the right-handed hitting Abreu — whose first name is pronounced "Michelle" — is a 6-foot-3, 230-pounder who plays primarily at first but also has played left field and third base. The agent said Abreu, 31, will have a chance to make the Mets —...http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/62897.htm

Agente Libre

02-04-2006, 10:56 AM

Fermin Lafita -- I know you're involved with Pena and I'm not trying to argue with you. I'm just telling you how baseball scouts think. Last year, there were a bunch of 20-something Cubans in the draft and only one of them -- Yunel Escobar -- was drafted in the first 10 rounds. About 8 others either signed for $5,000 late in the draft or didn't get drafted at all.

If there were 50 scouts at his first game 10 days ago and he still didn't get listed in the Baseball America lists, then something is going on. Either the scouts didn't think he'd be drafted in the first 3-4 rounds, or they think he's older than he is. Even when Cubans are telling the truth, a lot of scouts assume the player is even 2-3-4 years older. That's just the way it is, and you can blame Joe Cubas and a few other agents for that.

As for Pena's age vs. the age of his competition, that will definitely be a factor. That's just reality. Pena is almost 21 and he was basically a professional baseball player in Cuba for the last few years, while the others in his league are 17 to 19 and were sitting in high school 6 months ago.

I hope Pena does well. I have no reason to root against him. I'm just giving my opinion here.

Cubano100%

02-04-2006, 03:31 PM

http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/62897.htm

I guess he is trying to put some number in the minor and try to sign a better contract then. He certainly has no place with the Mets.

Agente Libre

02-04-2006, 03:45 PM

The Mets will hold his rights for 6 years, so this was a very strange move. The Marlins were reportedly interested but probably offered a smaller signing bonus. Abreu should have still signed with Florida. He has no chance in N.Y. unless people get hurt.

Cubano100%

02-05-2006, 06:17 AM

Cubano100%

02-05-2006, 06:21 AM

Going back to Hassan Pena, Yunel Escobar did not attend college in USA and still was drafted in the second round in 2005. So if the scouts think you are good, somebody will select you. Escobar was almost 22 when he was selected.

However, a lot of publicity does not hurt and it would had been better for Pena to be included among the top college prospects.

Agente Libre

02-05-2006, 11:07 AM

Abreu did not sign for one year; he signed for 6 years. There is no such thing as a 1-year minor league contract for first-time professional players. Abreu, like a lot of other defectors, has a brand new agent (Bernie McGregor) and the agent probably does not know what he's talking about.

As for Yunel Escobar, he got lucky. He basically lied about his age and his stats -- he told teams he was an all-star and that he was a .350 hitter in Cuba -- and the Braves apparently believed him. According to the Miami Herald, he also trained with a bunch of released players who were no good, so that made him look better when the scouts watched.

The bottom line is, if Hassan Pena outperforms the league he's playing in, he should be okay in the draft. But it will take more than a 90-mph fastball for him to get drafted in the high rounds. He will need to look polished, mature, etc. Again, as a 21-year-old, he will be looked at differently than a 17 or 18-year-old. That's just the reality of scouting.

After that, teams will know he's probably desperate to sign, so it's not automatic that he'll get a big bonus even if he's drafted high. Escobar got lucky and was drafted by a team with money. If Pena gets drafted by the Reds or Royals or Brewers, they might offer him $10,000 and say "take it or leave it."

Cubano100%

02-06-2006, 02:25 PM

All of these problems with Cuban players would be greatly solved by granting them free agency like others.

How in the world MLB invites Cuba to compete in the WBC and does not grant Cuban players free agent status?

As a result, you have those players that go to another country wasting time to get legal documents. You also have players like Hassan Pena that should be playing in high A or AA trying to enter the 2006 draft risking an injury.

I hope thing change for the better soon.

jon7jmets

02-06-2006, 04:35 PM

yanks and mets after Bárbaro Cañizares

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/baseball/13386734.htm

Cubano100%

02-07-2006, 05:48 AM

yanks and mets after Bárbaro Cañizares

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/baseball/13386734.htm

I think he signed with the Braves already.

MiamiBaseball

02-07-2006, 10:48 AM

Agente Libre

02-07-2006, 11:42 AM

You must be talking about Jose Cordero. I think he was telling scouts he was 21 or 22 last year. He's at least mid-20's and maybe even older.

MiamiBaseball

02-07-2006, 12:28 PM

Yeah i didn't want to say names lolol but you said it...

Fermin Lafita

02-07-2006, 05:09 PM

Who said that age doesnt matter?

Our discussion dealt with whether, assuming Hassan is 20, which he is, it matters that he plays against 18 and 19 year olds. That is a different discussion than whether Cubans or other players have lied about their age in the past. I havent said that age doesnt matter. I simply said that if Hassan is really 20 then it doesnt matter if plays against 19 year olds. On his team there are a couple of kids that are under control that are older than Hassan. Do you think that their respective teams dont get excited whent those kids play well because they are 20?

Fermin Lafita

02-07-2006, 05:22 PM

As for Pena's age vs. the age of his competition, that will definitely be a factor. That's just reality. Pena is almost 21 and he was basically a professional baseball player in Cuba for the last few years, while the others in his league are 17 to 19 and were sitting in high school 6 months ago.

So what you are saying is that Scouts would preferred to see a Kid like Hassan pitched well in workouts in another country versus seeing him pitch against JUCO kids? Nobody knows how high the kid is going to get drafted, but he wont be penalized because he pitches well against JUCO kids, Now if he got shelled by JUCO kids, that would be a problem. You are saying that doing well against JUCO kids is worst for a Cuban than not playing at all. I guess we'll see soon, Bermudez the other kid that came with him isnt playing anywhere. We'll see if that is better strategy. As long as Hassan doesnt get hurt, he is better off playing at a community college if he wasnt going the FA rout than not playing at all. The FA rout was not really an option in his case for reasons personal to Hassan and his family

cuban_aficionado

02-07-2006, 09:52 PM

I think it all comes down to timing with Hassan Pena. I think the kid has lots of potential and really good stuff, but the reason there isn't so much noise about him is that he hasn't been playing for a long time in the USA. If Hassan just pitched his second game in the Jupiter leage a couples of days ago is impossible the MLB scouts have enough data on his pitching style, pitch count, average velocity per pitch and per game, ERA and so forth.... What I really think is happening with Hassan is that the MLB scouts are being really careful not to prejudge, prequlify or label this young cuban pitcher. Once Hassan Pena has pitched 20 or so games then we may see MLB scouts writing their recomendations for MLB teams.
With Penas' unique situation (One of the few Cuban baseball players able to show his stuff in USA soil and willing to participate on the draft) the MLB scouts have the luxury of taking their time, as opposed to makind decisons after only seen a cuban baseball player play once, they feel no hurry to make Hassan Pena a priority just yet.

cuban_aficionado

02-07-2006, 10:00 PM

WBC presents big chance for Scouts

A rare opportunity awaits international baseball scouts who travel many miles every year looking for players who could someday become Major League stars.
The scouts can stay close to home and watch players from 16 countries compete against each other in the high-intensity forum that will be the inaugural World Baseball Classic.

"We're always looking for talent," said longtime Major League scout Deacon Jones, "and this gives us a chance to see players from all over the world."

The depth of international scouting varies with each big league organization, but check out a section of seats directly behind home plate at any given game during the three-week tournament and you're bound to see nicely dressed gentlemen holding radar guns and taking notes.

"We're going to cover it, definitely," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "What we take from it, I don't know, because it's hard to speak to something that never has been done before. It's hard to say until we see the level of competition, but if there are games being played, we're going to cover them."

As the game continues to grow globally, the WBC could be the ideal stage for a young player from Italy, Korea, the Netherlands, Canada, Mexico or South Africa to draw interest from a Major League organization.

A stellar performance in the WBC could change someone's life forever.

"We have a vibrant scouting program in place, and have been involved in international scouting in what we think is a very aggressive manner for quite some time," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said. "We will have three scouts at all WBC locations.

"You never know when a player catches your eye in a different way, or shows you something at this level of competition that you haven't seen before. A certain player might have a competitive edge or spirit that we haven't had a chance to see otherwise."

"We don't know what to expect from countries that are not as developed in amateur programs, but this gives us a chance to see players that are underexposed on the international stage perform," Schuerholz said. "We already have a base of knowledge on a lot of the players, and this will enable us to supplement."

The timing of the WBC is another bonus for organizations. With the event being played in conjunction with Spring Training, scouts are already in Arizona and Florida.

"I think it's exciting for all of us," said Jones. "A lot of us will be on our normal Spring Training assignments, and to watch some [WBC] games would be a good change."

Paul Ricciarini, the Astros' senior director of player personnel, said the reigning National League champions will have scouts who normally cover Spring Training reporting on every WBC team involved.

"We're going to show up at the games and see what happens," he said. "If you never bet on a horse, you're never going to cash a ticket. You have something to gain and nothing to lose by covering the games."

To make things even better, the Italian team will be managed by Matt Galante, a longtime Astros employee and current special assistant to Houston general manager Tim Purpura.

Phillies scout Gordon Lakey said that his organization will put more of an emphasis on the teams with the fewest number of Major League players, a game plan most clubs are expected to follow.

"Some teams, like the Dominican, Puerto Rico and the U.S., have proven Major League players on them, so we would put less emphasis on them," he said. "I think we are all anxious to see what the teams from the Far East not affiliated with organizations in the U.S. are like."

Also, you can expect the Cuban team to draw considerable interest -- just in case any of those players eventually become available.:radio
"We're curious about the Cubans," said Roy Smith, the Dodgers' vice president of scouting and player development. "But the [WBC] as a whole is great. Anytime you can have an event that showcases this much talent, you have to take a look.":D

Lakey agreed that having Cuba involved adds another dimension to the event.:clapping

"That is going to be a very interesting situation," he said. "They have been kind of under wraps over there, and it will be interesting to see what they bring.":gt

Except for Cuba and the two teams that don't make it out of the first round in Tokyo, each of the WBC teams will share Spring Training facilities with Major League clubs from either March 3-6 or March 7-10, when the two Asian qualifiers join the Mariners and Padres at the Peoria Sports Complex.

Major League clubs hosting WBC teams are: the Red Sox (Australia), Blue Jays (Canada), Astros (Dominican Republic), Tigers (Italy), Diamondbacks (Mexico in Tucson and USA in Phoenix), Braves (Netherlands), Nationals (Panama), Mets (Puerto Rico), Athletics (South Africa) and Phillies (Venezuela). The Major League teams will play at least one exhibition game against their WBC visitors.

"You never know," Smith said. "Someone may hit a ball across the street, run like the wind or throw so hard that they stand out. It's always smart to have someone there to see it."

Agente Libre

02-08-2006, 01:29 PM

Fermin -- I didn't say doing nothing would have been better for Pena than pitching at a JUCO. You either misread my post or are twisting my opinions around.

I simply said that Pena'a age will be a factor; that the level of competition will be a factor; and that the fact Cubans are always assumed to be lying about their ages will be a factor.

I think Pena would have been better off seeking free agency, or playing independent league baseball (better competition vs. wood bats), or holding a regular series of workouts. JUCO might turn out good for him, but there is a lot of risk involved. He's pitching against younger competition and against aluminum bats, which makes the scouts' jobs even tougher.

All of that aside, even if Pena pitches awesome at JUCO and scouts love him, if the Royals or Reds or Twins draft him, he might get stuck with a $20,000 bonus. That's the biggest risk with the draft -- Pena might have to sign for little money or wait for the 2007 draft.

As for Bermudez, he is 22 or 23 and didn't even have good numbers in Cuba, so pitching at a JUCO wasn't going to help him much anyway.

Again, you seem to be taking this personally, which is why it's usually bad for family/friends to try to represent players. I've never said anything here to bash Pena; I'm simply giving an opinion.

MiamiBaseball

02-08-2006, 07:18 PM

TRRRRUUUUU lol

Fermin Lafita

02-08-2006, 09:34 PM

All of that aside, even if Pena pitches awesome at JUCO and scouts love him, if the Royals or Reds or Twins draft him, he might get stuck with a $20,000 bonus. That's the biggest risk with the draft -- Pena might have to sign for little money or wait for the 2007 draft.

.Again, you seem to be taking this personally, which is why it's usually bad for fam