Yennier Cano has been a very effective pitcher out of the bullpen for the Baltimore Orioles over the last four years, his 84 holds rank him among the league’s best in that category. Over that span the Cuban hurler has also notched 15 saves and 194 strikeouts in 204⅔ innings pitched.
The flamethrower has also held hitters to a .215 batting average against him over his career, his 95 mph fastball, 96 mph sinker and 87 mph slider have kept hitters at bay over the last five years. His 1.28 WHIP over those years has been above-average.
The native of Ciego de Ávila, Cuba has come a long way since his one batter outing in the 2016 Serie del Caribe in Santo Domingo against the Leones del Escogido. At 32 years of age Cano is still a big part of the team’s bullpen over the next couple of seasons.
You rank among the leaders in games holds over the last five years. Do you consider yourself a specialist in that statistic?
Well, that’s the job I’m doing out of the bullpen. Thank God. I have been pitching the seventh or eighth inning and have had good results. For right now I am enjoying that role.
There’s another Cuban player on the roster: the rookie Anthony Núñez. Have you given him any advice regarding the Major Leagues?
Yes, we’ve talked a lot—though, to be honest, I think he actually knows more than I do, since he was born in this country. I offer advice on pitching itself—like how to approach each specific batter—but when it comes to the system here, he knows more than I do.
Would you like to become a closer in this league someday?
Well, if the opportunity presents itself—of course.