Yesterday, the talented right-hander from Guantanamo and a top pitching prospect in Cuba Alexander Valiente fled the island and ended up in the Dominican Republic to pursue a future with a Major League Baseball organization. The colleague Francys Romero was the first to report the defection. In the last two weeks top pitching prospects such as Marlon Vega, Javier Mirabal and Valiente have all decided to depart from the communist nation for greener pastures in the professional baseball arena.
Armed with a fastball in mid 90’s, a decent array of breaking pitches and good command, the 20 year old Valiente was a prime candidate to be signed a development contract with a Nippon League franchise. Various clubs from the land of rising were rumored to be on the tale of Valiente during his incorporation with Cuba during the World Baseball Classic preparatory stage in Japan.
The flamethrower from the easternmost province of Cuba has been part of several U-23 national teams, was also on the Cuban preliminary squad for the Classic, participated in the Alba Games recently and was part of the Cuban team (Agricultores) in the Caribbean Series this February in Caracas, Venezuela.
Cuban RHP Alexander Valiente (20) left Cuba this Tuesday, according to sources. He was on the reserve roster for the V World Baseball Classic.
93-96, potential 100 MPH,
Curve, Slider, SplitterI ranked Valiente the #16 prospect on my list of the best 25 U-18 in 2020. pic.twitter.com/A3U0T12b10
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) August 1, 2023
Earlier this year in Venezuela during the Caribbean World Series our Miguel Rodríguez had the opportunity to talk with him about his presence on the Cuban preliminary squad for the World Baseball Classic and about the real interest that various Japanese teams had in him: “It is a nice experience to be in the Caribbean Series, being a very young athlete, I am happy because it has been one of the biggest events in which I have been able participated. I also feel very happy to have generated some interests from some teams in Japan, playing in that league would be very good for my career.”
“Being on the WBC preliminary squad was something very big for my career and now being in the Caribbean Series is the best thing that has happened to me”, reiterated Valiente.
Cuba is now struggling more and more to retain its talent, many young players due to the economic situation on the island have decided to try their luck in other countries. For most players with some semblance of talent earning just 3,500 Cuban pesos (~18 dollars) in the National Series is just not cutting it and on an island that has a floundering economy leaving is the only option.
Today we do not know what the future holds for Valiente, nor the reason for his decision. What is certain is that immigration within the Cuban population it is becoming more common than ever especially amongst athletes. Today’s athletes and especially baseball players are not exempt from the problems engulfing the island and their mass exoduses are evidence of that.