Cuban pitcher Yusniel Padrón will be part of the Cuban team that will soon participate in the Premier 12, a tournament that brings together the 12 best national teams according to the WBSC ranking. The hurler from Havana is one of the players residing abroad who will play with Cuba in the event, he even recently spent approximately two weeks in training camp with the Cuban tournament pool at the Latinoamericano stadium.
Padrón was selected in the 22nd round of the draft by the Boston Red Sox after several years playing at Miami Dade Community College. During 2023 in the Professional Baseball League of Panama he pitched for the Atlánticos of Boca del Toro and Colón, a team that ultimately fell against the champions of Federales of Chiriquí. The righty was eventually selected as a reinforcement for the country’s Caribbean Series team in 2023 held in Venezuela.
He was the earned run average leader in in Panama’s PROBEIS winter league during the regular phase after not allowing runs in 27.0 innings of work. Later, during his participation with Chiriquí in Venezuela, he suffered an unfortunate injury to one of his knees that caused him to miss the 2023 season and ultimately caused him to be released by Boston in March of that year.
“I am proud to be back in my country, to set foot in Latinoamericano again, it is a dream for me after so many years to return here to Cuba and put on the Cuban team’s jersey. The Federation contacted me before the Classic and that was the first time and I told them that I was willing to represent Cuba in international events, they called me again now for the Premier and once again I said yes,” commented the pitcher from Havana in an interview conducted by journalist Guillermo Rodríguez before the team’s departure to Asia.
In the minor leagues he had a 16-23 record, an ERA of 5.11 in 317.1 innings of work, with three holds, 353 strikeouts, 85 walks and a WHIP of 1.35. Last season he pitched with the Quebec Capitals of the Frontier League, where he shared a team with fellow Cuban Guillermo García.
“Lazo since I arrived on the first day to train in Havana told me to prepare my mind to be a starter and that is what we are doing, I am preparing to start games, it is something to which I am also adapted to and well there is nothing to do now but await the results,” added Padrón regarding the responsibility he will have in the Premier as one of the starters.
Playing in Cuba, Padrón was crowned with Havana in the 2015 U-23 National Series and was part of the team that traveled to the U-18 World Baseball Championship held in Osaka, Japan. In that World Cup tournament Cuba finished in fifth place and the right-hander shared a team with future professional signees such as Luis Robert Jr, Oscar Luis Colás, Josimar Cousín, Yolbert Sánchez and Miguel Vargas.