Alfredo Despaigne returned to the SoftBank Hawks at mid-season after starting this season in the Serie Nacional. The native of Santiago de Cuba was not offered a contract by the SoftBank Hawks during the offseason making him an international free agent. Due to the fact he is banned for life in the Mexican League he did not receive any offers to play in that country’s professional circuit either.
Despaigne started the season in the Cuban National Series that began, March 29, has garnered interest from the Nippon club as per the colleague Francys Romero’s report. The slugger is hit .333 with five homeruns and 16 RBIs in 78 at-bats this season in the Serie Nacional with Granma. In 20 games this season before injuring himself the he was hitting a miniscule .071.
By playing in Cuba and showcasing his talents to scouts he was hoping to generate interest from the NPB or another foreign league. That gamble seemed to have paid off and the offer for the ” Horse of Horses” as per the colleague Francys Romero will be for the rest of the season, possibly for 1.5 million dollars.
Despaigne made his debut with SoftBank Hawks in 2017 where he was the leader in RBIs with 103 and home runs with 35, a season that concluded with the first of four titles that the Cuban and SoftBank would achieve together. Before starting the 2022 campaign, the slugger signed with the organization for 2.5 million dollars and hit .269 with 14 longballs and 40 RBIs in 89 games last season.
During his time in the land of the rising sun with SoftBank and Chiba Lotte he slugged 184 homers, drove in 545 runs, collected 786 hits. He also hit .263 over his career in Japan and posted an OPS of .842 , making him one of the best foreigners to have played in the second best baseball circuit in the world.
Alfredo Despaigne puts Team Cuba on the board! #WorldBaseballClassic pic.twitter.com/m5JGClm72m
— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 12, 2023
What is your opinion about women’s baseball in Cuba?
It is developing. It’s a slow process, and I think they are far from their goal, but they are doing a good job. Participating in this World Cup will strengthen women’s baseball in Cuba. We will see stronger Cuban women’s teams in the future.
Give us your opinion on the many Cubans that play abroad being allowed to play in the WBC?
“I think we are in a good place. I really appreciated the fact that Cuba allowed players active in the United States or Mexico, in addition to those who play in Japan like me, to play for the National Team. It was a big step forward, I think we will see more in the coming years.”
Talk to us about the level of talent in Japan?
It is the second best in the world. They have won three editions of the World Baseball Classic out of a possible five. “They are excellent players who play excellent fundamental baseball.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I love playing here. Let’s see how the negotiation for my next contract goes. I also played in Mexico, that would be another option or maybe the Dominican Republic, there are many leagues to possibly play in.