Eugenio David Rodriguez Agüero was declared a free agent last September by Major League Baseball and has quietly drawn interest from a few clubs. The young Cuban slugger is training in the Dominican Republic with ex-Serie Nacional legend Jorge Luis Toca.
During his time in Cuba he was a very decorated juvenile player and played on plenty of Sub15 national teams with the Caribbean island. Although he can also play in the infield he’s projected to be an outfielder at the next level.
During his last season in the Cuban juvenile league he slashed .266/.357/.363. The native of Granma, Cuba is represented by Gladys Alonso of A&F Sports. Expect Agüero to sign in the upcoming international free agency class.
Last year you were declared a free agent, have you done any showcases?
Well, since becoming a free agent, I’ve attended several tryouts. Teams like Milwaukee, San Francisco, Toronto, and the Cubs, among others, have scouted me.
You are working with a Serie Nacional legend in Jorge Luis Toca in the Dominicana Republic. Give me one important thing you have learned from him.
That’s right, my current coach, Toca, is a very important figure in Cuban baseball, both as a player and here as a developer of future MLB stars. Of course, it’s a tremendous source of pride. I’ve tried to absorb his entire technical arsenal, as well as his discipline, effort, and dedication to the sport, and the seriousness with which he teaches skills to acquire the exquisite training necessary for the level we aspire to reach. He combines practice with theory and the development of essential technical and tactical actions in professional baseball, with a high level of rigor that borders on perfection. He also addresses aspects as important for an athlete as nutrition, physical conditioning and strengthening, and the discipline of rest. The preparation has been comprehensive, encompassing everything expected of a future major league athlete.
Tell me on thing you have worked on to improve during your preparations to sign with a MLB ballclub.
I’ve worked on every aspect of my development. While my most visible characteristics are my power, contact at the plate, and speed, I’ve worked on perfecting them, especially controlling the direction of my swing based on the game’s dynamics, and also refining my other skills. I’ve worked on almost every position, using my speed to try to be a versatile player who can perform wherever my team needs me.
Do you have any goals for this year?
My goals are many and my dreams are big. But I have to take it one step at a time. The first step would be to join an MLB team and play a lot. Baseball is my life. I’ve been involved in this since I was four years old, and I’ve spent 18 years preparing and achieving excellent results, including a home run record in Cuba in the under-15 category, which still stands six years later. This sport is my life, and of course, I see in my future me doing what I love most: playing baseball at the highest level.