Yesterday prized Chunichi Dragons prospect Frank Abel Álvarez boarded a flight from Cuba en route to Nagoya, Japan in order to report to camp with the Nippon League ballclub. In what looks to be a pivotal year for the pitcher, Álvarez is ready to get to work with the Japanese squad.
Many experts categorize Frank Abel Álvarez as Cuba’s top pitching prospect in the current day. Armed with a mid-90’s fastball, a sharp splitter and an array of breaking pitches the 25-year-old has an electric repertoire. Last year Álvarez caught the eye of the Nippon League’s Chunichi Dragons and the ballclub signed him to a development contract.
Yesterday @DragonsOfficial prospect Frank Abel Álvarez boarded a flight from Cuba en route to Nagoya, Japan in order to report to camp with the Nippon League ballclub. #CubanBaseballDigest #NPB#ChunichiDragons pic.twitter.com/OYbwcxFbbS
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) January 27, 2024
In his brief time with Chunichi’s top farm club he sports a record of 0-1, ERA of 4.86 and 10 strikeouts. This spring the right-hander was part of Cuba’s World Baseball Classic team that reached the semifinals of the tournament. In 2⅔ innings pitched in the WBC Álvarez allowed an earned run and struck out three hitters.
Álvarez exclusively trained in Cuba this offseason under the tutelage of famed pitching coach José Manuel Cortina and although he had an offer to from the Tiburones de La Guaira to pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League, but Chunichi denied him the permission to play in the Caribbean circuit. With all the work he put in this winter expect Álvarez to make his debut with the top team this season.