Raydel Sánchez, the best Cuban prospect still remaining on the island, left for the Dominican Republic in recent hours, according to a report from Francys Romero. Sánchez is a native of Santiago de Cuba and was playing in the IV Elite League as a reinforcement player for Artemisa. He was a key piece in Cuba’s qualification for the U-23 World Cup last year.
Sánchez is the island top young slugger without a doubt and with the U-23 National Team he has homered seven times in 51 at-bats, giving him a longball every 7.29 at-bats. During the U-23 World Cup Qualifiers he went yard three times in 18 at-bats giving him a homer once in every six trips to the plate. In the last Serie Nacional he has left the yard once every every 6.67 at-bats.
In his last three tournaments, he has hit 19 home runs in 129 at-bats (6.79 at-bats/HR).Several NPB teams, primarily the Soft Bank Hawks, had shown strong interest in the young Cuban who is only 19 years old. He figures to be a very sought after prospect once he becomes a free agent.
During the last Serie Nacional with Santiago de Cuba he hit .331 with 13 homeruns, seven doubles, 48 runs batted in and slashed a robust .482/.655/1.137. Once he did not sign with any Nippon League club the young outfielder’s days were numbered on the island.