Silvano Hechavarría, a 6’5 and 21-year-old pitcher, is set to join the Blue Jays next January 15th, with a signing bonus of approximately $250k. The right-hander was once a prized pitching prospect on the island before his departure last September.
His pitching repertoire features a fastball that ranges from 93-96 mph, a slider from 84-88 mph, a changeup from 87-89 mph, and a curve from 78-83 mph. Hechavarría had a showcase for teams in early December of last year in the Dominican Republic and impressed.
El lanzador Silvano Hechavarría (6’5 y 21 años) se unirá a los Blue Jays el próximo 15 de enero, firmando con un bono de alrededor de $250k. Su arsenal comprende rectas de 93-96 mph, sliders de 84-88 mph, cambios de 87-89 mph y curvas de 78-83 mph.
Silvano Hechavarría, a 6’5 and… pic.twitter.com/hjRU8eyysg
— Yordano Carmona (@YordiMLB) April 7, 2024
In two Series Nacionales and 24 games of which two were starts he posted a record of 1-0, ERA of 4.09 and 24 strikeouts in 42⅓ pitched for Havana’s Industriales. He was the starter for Industriales in game 1 of the last year’s championship series of the 62nd National Series against Las Tunas.
The colleague Francys Romero said this about the pitcher’s talents,”He is tall and has an excellent physique for a pitcher. He is raw and needs to continue to improve many of his above average pitches.” According to the Cuban journalist his repertoire is electric but needs some fine tuning.
Hechavarría joins Yariel Rodríguez, Kendrys Rojas, Rafael Sánchez and Lázaro Estrada in the young stable of Cuban arms the Bluejays have amassed in their farm system via the international free agency market. Expect him to start next season in the low minors but gradually work his way up.