Marlon Vega and I had a conversation yesterday via Instagram and the Cuban right-hander let me know of his interest in playing for Cuba in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Although the hurler abandoned the island in July of 2023he is still eligible to play for Cuba in the WBC.
Vega who is from Mayabeque, Cuba won 21 games over the last two seasons he played on the island and struck 145 hitters in his last 173 innings pitched. Vega was also the Rookie of the Year in the Cuban circuit in 2020-21 when he posted a 9-2 record, 4.36 earned run average.
The once heralded prospect saw action in an independent Japanese league in 2022 with the Ishikawa Millon Stars. During his incursion with the Asian team he showed mixed results, but did flash some of his talents although his velocity never hit 90 mph on his fastball during his tenure in Japan. In 7.1IP in the league he posted a 4.91 earned run average and fanned six batters.
Vega was declared an international free agent in 2023, but has yet to sign with anyone. The righty throws in the low 90’s but combines good control with an array of breaking pitches and a hint of deceptiveness on the mound. Vega has a repertoire of pitches that include a fastball, cutter, slider, curve and change-up. With proper development showing in the WBC Vega could become a sought talent for professional leagues in Asia or México.
Players that will be contacted per my sources by the Cuban Baseball Federation:
OF Yasiel Puig
OF Yanquiel Fernández
IF Bryan Ramos
IF Diosbel Arias
RHP Denny Larrondo
RHP Elían Leyva
RHP Jorge Marcheco
RHP Rafael Sánchez
RHP Lázaro Estrada
RHP Josimar Cousin
RHP Marlon Vega
LHP Darién Núñez
LHP Julio Robaina
LHP Randy Labaut