Jimmy Yacabonis was not a highly rated prospect when he was drafted in the 13th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Baltimore. Yet through perseverance and hard work the crafty right-hander made his major league debut in 2017 with the Orioles.
The reliever has now pitched six years in the big show with Baltimore,The Mets,Marlins, Tampa Bay and Seattle. In 131 ⅔ innings pitched Yacabonis has won six games and fanned 107 batters over that span. In all sense of the word Jimmy Yacabonis is a bonified major leaguer.
Yacabonis who is a free agent this offseason is pitching in the Dominican Winter League to showcase his talents and has been lights out. In nine games this season in the LIDOM he has yet to allow an earned run. The hurler spoke to our Gabriel Vizcaíno about his goals for the winter and of his Cuban descent a few days ago.
Big leaguer Jimmy Yacabonis talks to our @Gabrieldep21 about his future goals after the winter and also about his grandfather playing in the defunct Cuban Professional Baseball League.#CubanBaseballDigest #LIDOM pic.twitter.com/HvYw7sCzui
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) December 15, 2023
What is the ultimate goal of your incursion in the LIDOM?
My ultimate goal here is to prove myself. During my career I was never a prospect, yet I made it to the big leagues one level at a time. This is just another to prove myself and show the team I can be their guy.
You are a big leaguer without a doubt, but with that being said, can you gauge for us the level of talent in the LIDOM?
In the big leagues it is different the game is mostly geared towards the fans and is more money oriented. In the LIDOM it is all about the passion and everyone here plays with a lot more heart.
Your grandfather played in the defunct Cuban Professional Baseball League, how did that influence you in becoming a baseball player.
He was a big influence, especially since I lived with him as a kid. My mom was a nurse and my father worked, so I spent a lot of time with during my childhood. I would go to his house and hit baseballs and tennis balls. We would also watch the Mets, Phillies, Yankees or whoever was on television.
Being that you are a free agent have any teams show any interest in your services?
I have received some interest from Colorado, Kansas City and a few other teams. Right now I’m just staying patient and focused on my job here.
Would you be available for a Serie del Caribe in Miami?
I would love to be available, also depending on what happens with Toros and if they make the Round Robin or if I’m taken as a reinforcement by another team. Right now I’m taking it one day at a time.
Do you have a message for the Cuban fans?
Thank you for your support and watching. We love baseball in the Dominican Republic,too. I love baseball as much as other latino players. I grew up around baseball my whole life. After I’m done playing I would like to stay in the game as a coach and help people.