Brander Guevara has ended his relationship with the Cuban Baseball Federation, according to multiple sources, and has yet to return to Cuba after seeing action this season with the Conspiradores de Querétaro in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol. The pitcher was also part of Cuba’s roster for the Central American and Caribbean Games but did not join the national team due to an injury.
After being selected by the Cañeros de Los Mochis in the Foreign Player Draft, there is a possibility that Guevara could join the club for the upcoming Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico season. The Cuban right-hander has also shutdown all means of communication such as his messengers, WhatsApp and social media sites.
Guevara recorded 100 strikeouts in 79.2 innings during Cuba’s last National Series. He later represented Cuba in exhibition games in Nicaragua and also pitched for Matanzas in the recent Baseball Champions League Americas tournament in México City. The flamethrower is by far Cuba’s top pitching prospect.
The Cuban hurler struck out 10 batters from Las Tunas for the Cazadores de Artemisa in the Cuban Baseball Semifinals earlier this year. Guevara (22 years old) was being scouted by the SoftBank Hawks during that, according to Kenta Hagiwara. Below is the young flamethrowers repertoire:
• Fastball 94-97 MPH
• Slider 86-88 MPH
• Changeup 89-91 MPH
• Splitter 84-86 MPH
• Cutter 87-88 MPH
During his time with the Conspiradores de Querétaro this season Guevara tossed 33 innings and pitched in 11 games of which eight were starts. Over that span he posted a 1-4 record, 10.36 earned run average, had a 2.03 WHIP and fanned 21 batters.
Expect Guevara to pitch somewhere during the winter and possibly do showcases in search of a future signing in either Asia or the Major Leagues. The hurler previously left Cuba, but was unable to sign do to injury. With a healthy arm and an impeccable repertoire the sky is the limit for Guevara.