Photo: Yuhki Ohboshi
Cuban right-hander Frank Abel Álvarez will once again be on the national team’s roster heading to the Premier 12 and looks like one of the fundamental pieces for the squad’s bullpen. At 25 years old, he has been part of the Cuban team in multiple tournaments and was part of the pitching staff in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Álvarez he has spent the last three seasons in the Chunichi Dragons’ farm system, but has not had the opportunity to pitch in Nippon League’s top level. He had the opportunity to join the training of the Cuban team for the Premier 12 in Havana’s Latinoamericano Stadium and has accompanied the team to Korea from the beginning to be fully part of the preparation for the upcoming tournament.
“I think the jet lag the first few days took its toll on us, a lot of travel time, a lot of time at airports, but well the team is already looking in very good now. In the last three games we have notched a victory, which is the most important thing,” commented the pitcher to the digital media site Jit.
During 2024 he also did not have a good season in the minor leagues with the Japanese squad. This season injuries and misuse affected his performance. At the league’s second level he pitched in only 16 games, leaving a record of 0-1 and an ERA of 6.64 in 20.1 innings of work (15 ER). He struck out 17 and walked 12.
“Yes, I had a good ending to the game against Goyang Heroes (Kiwoom Heroes minor league team), thank God we have already moved along fine and the tournament is right around the around the corner. I feel we are in excellent shape and ready to face the two other teams in Seoul, especially against the Korean national team. I think it will be a good gauge for us to get ready for the 13th,” said Frank Abel after the last game of the Ulsan KBO Fall League.
During his stay in Korea he has pitched in two of the four practice games and in a couple of innings pitched he has not allowed any runs for the Cuban team. He also hasn’t allowed a hit, surrendered a walk and he has struck out a couple of batters over the span. Although his return to the Chunichi Dragons is in doubt, expect Álvarez to garner plenty of interest from ballclubs all over Asia.