MÉRIDA, Mexico – Right-handed pitcher Ediel Ponce, rookie of the year in the 63rd National Baseball Series, left Cuba in the last few hours for the Dominican Republic, said journalist Francys Romero.
Ponce, 17 years old, 170 pounds and 6 feet tall, was also the Cuban season’s ERA leader with 2.15.
In 71 innings he struck out 43, his command is characterized by a fastball between 85-88 mph and top-level breaking pitches such as the changeup and sinker, the journalist details.
The Ciego de Avila native recently joined the Cuban U-18 team at the Pre-World Cup held in Panama between August 2 and 11, where the Cubans qualified for the World Cup in this category with Ponce as the ace of the rotation, Romero added.
Romero explains that several scouts were surprised by the way Ponce used his breaking pitches and his attitude on the mound in that tournament, where he was on the verge of throwing a no-hitter against Venezuela.
In the Dominican Republic, the young Cuban talent will be training at the prestigious Chiqui Mejias Baseball Academy in Bonao.
“I see Ponce as a pitcher with remarkable command of his pitches. He needs to gain more weight and improve his velocity, but according to talent evaluators, Ponce is a candidate to achieve a professional signing,” Romero said.
The journalist predicts that, if everything goes according to plan, Ponce should be signing during the next international signing period starting on January 15, 2025.
Young prospects drain
The flight of young prospects from Cuban baseball does not stop. Just a few days ago, Romero reported that William Alejandro Alvarez and Lazaro Herrera Jr. They also emigrated to the Dominican Republic with the goal of signing in the Major League system.
Youngsters train at the G&T Baseball Academy in Punta Cana.
Villa Clara native William Alejandro Álvarez, 14, was part of the Cuba U-15 team that participated in the Pre-World Cup in the Dominican Republic last March and from which seven members have already left.
The youngster will be eligible to sign in the international period which begins on January 15, 2027.
Lázaro Herrera Jr., for his part, is the son of the catcher and first baseman who played with Matanzas for 16 seasons in the National Series.
The 13-year-old stands out for his batting ability. “A power hitter with the potential to play catcher, first base and the outfield,” Romero said.
Herrera Jr. hit .286/.423/.571 in the regular season of the last U-15 National Championship with 3 doubles and a home run.
He will be eligible to sign on January 15, 2028.
