Days apart from each other the Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol have signed two hard-throwing stellar Cuban pitchers from the island’s Guantánamo province and they are none other than Miguel Romero and Robert Roilan Portuondo.
Romero did not have a great season in 2023 and was released by the Oakland Athletics after compiling a 0-1 record and a 6.60 ERA in 14 games in Las Vegas (AAA) at the time of his release. Romero, according to team scouts, had the best curveball in Oakland farm system in 2020. The righty was promoted by Oakland to the Majors in 2021 and although he did not pitch, he was the 378th player in history from the “Largest of the Antilles” to reach the big show.
Last winter Romero in the opinion of many was the most dominant relievers in the LBPRC. In 11.2 innings pitched during the campaign, the Cuban flamethrower did not allow an earned run for the Gigantes de Carolina and served up 11 strikeouts, while also saving a game.
Fuentes: El derecho guantanamero Miguel Romero firma con los @RielerosDeAgs de la @LigaMexBeis para la proxima temporada. #LMB #pelotacubana pic.twitter.com/FsoRRzxKQU
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) September 25, 2023
The 29-year-old also has the potential to unleash a 100-mph fastball. With the inclusion of Romero in the World Classic Classic, Cuba had a one of strongest bullpens in the event and it showed as it reached the semifinals of the tournament for the second time in its history. The hurler was the anchor of the Cuba’s pitching staff leading the WBC in wins (2), strikeouts (13) and placed in top three in ERA (2.08) en route to all-tournament honors.
Portuondo saw action in this season in the Baseball Challenge League in Japan. The Cuban posted a 3.10 ERA and fanned 61 batters on the season. Equipped with a 95 mph fastball the Cuban flamethrower is an interesting prospect. Portuondo also sports a shiny 5-3 record on the campaign.
The talented Portuondo will be part of the Gigantes de Rivas pitching staff this winter in the LBPN. The 24 year old Portuondo has all the ability to make an impact in the Nicaraguan Winter League, all he has to do is exhibit his immense talent on the mound. If he does that everything else should fall into place.
The pitchers are represented by Carlos Pérez of Leona Sports and could be a key part of the Rieleros pitching staff all of next season in the Mexican circuit.
El derecho guantanamero @PortuondoHj firma con los @RielerosDeAgs de la @LigaMexBeis para la proxima temporada.#pelotacubana #LMB pic.twitter.com/qULT5rML1j
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) September 23, 2023