Liván Chaviano signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021 , bringing a happy ending to the young pitcher’s odyssey. The righty left Cuba in 2016 when he was a key figure in Cuba’s Sub-15 World Championship in 2016.
During that tournament he posted a record of 2-0 and didn’t allow a run while striking out nine in his 13.2 innings of work for the Cubans. Chaviano was the starting pitcher and the victor in the final against Japan.
Chaviano spent more than four years lost in the Dominican Republic without any representation before Yuan Pino practically saved his career and helped him sign with the Toronto Bluejays. The right-hander from Havana is about 6’3″ and weighs 200 pounds. His fastball sat in between 90-93 mph; he also throws a curve, slider, changeup and sinker as his secondary pitches.
Chaviano joined William Gastón and Yosver Zulueta as the pitchers signed by the Blue Jays in that year during the international free agency period. Chaviano never threw a pitch with the team before being released, but after a long hard road Chaviano made his dream of signing a major league contract come true. After his release he enrolled at Miami-Dade College and joined their baseball program.
RHP Livan Chaviano (19) agreed a deal with Toronto Blue Jays. He left Cuba in 2016 and after several years trying to sign he finally succeeded. He was the Cuba's starter at the U-15 World Championship (2016) final game against Japan and where they took the title. pic.twitter.com/rWTcCqcYh9
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 15, 2021
Tell us about your journey that culminated with you signing with Toronto?
It was a rigorous and difficult process. I was abandoned by my first set of trainers that brought me from Cuba to the Dominican Republic. That’s when Yuan Pino came into my life and he was a God send.
He never gave up one me and always brought the best out in me. I will always be grateful and never forget what he did for me. He took my parents and myself in and helped me reach my goal.
How did you prepare for your showcases during the pandemic?
I never stopped training and also kept my motivation for the ultimate task at hand which was to sign with an MLB ball club. The pandemic did slow the process down but it never deterred me.
You were a key cog in Cuba’s Sub-15 world title in 2016, what was your mood on the mound against Japan in the final of the tournament?
Two days before the final my manager let me know I would be the starter on the date in question, so from the moment on I started to prepare myself for the outing. I recognized the importance of the start and thank God everything went in our favor.
After you have officially signed, what’s your goal for that season?
My main was to stay focused, give my best to the team and keep advancing through the teams farm system.
What Cubans did you meet and how did they help during your time in the Blue Jays organization?
Yes, I spoke to Lourdes Gurriel Jr and him William Gastón offered help and advice for me from time to time.