Cuban catcher Ariel Pestano Jr., son of legendary backstop Ariel Pestano, has signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The move comes after he was recently declared eligible for the MLB draft. The signing gives Pestano his first opportunity in professional baseball outside of Cuba.
Pestano Jr. left Cuba in June 2024, traveling through Nicaragua, Central America, and Mexico before arriving in the United States in October 2024. Once in Florida, he quickly got to work, training and participating in showcases to catch the attention of scouts..
The 27-year-old will join Charleston on April 15. The Dirty Birds compete in the Atlantic League’s South Division, finishing third last season with a 69-57 record. Their 2025 campaign begins on April 25 against the Lexington Legends at Wild Health Field.
Pestano Jr. played in the Serie Nacional from 2017 to 2023 with Villa Clara and Granma, appearing in 193 games. Over that span, he slashed .258/.368/.387 for a .756 OPS. His best season came in 2023-24, when he hit .276 with 13 extra-base hits, including 8 home runs, 31 RBI, and a .866 OPS in 66 games. Now, he looks to make his mark in the independent leagues as he continues his pursuit of a bigger opportunity in professional baseball.
Photo: Ariel Pestano Jr. (Photo via @pestanojr_13 on Instagram)