The Blue Jays have officially signed Cuban pitcher Silvano Hechavarría.

It was reported on Friday by Francys Romero that the Toronto Blue Jays have signed Silvano Hechavarría, a right-handed pitcher from Cuba for a signing bonus of $240,000.

 

According to Romero, Hechavarría sits 93-97 mph with the fastball, along with a changeup and a slider. Yordano Camona of Pelota Cubana USA reported that the team was signing the 6’5” pitcher back in early April, and noted he has a mid-80s slider, a high-90s changeup, and a curveball that averages between 78 to 83 mph.

 

Unfortunately, there isn’t much in the way of statistics for the 21-year-old, as it appears that he didn’t pitch in the Cuban National Series or in Japan, like many Cuban pitchers do (i.e Yariel Rodríguez).

This isn’t the first Cuban player the Blue Jays have signed in the past two months. In late May, the Blue Jays signed Cuban outfielder Yorman Licourt to a signing bonus of $600,000. In 11 plate appearances for the Dominican Summer League Blue Jays, the 20-year-old switch hitter has a double for a 21 wRC+.

Although it had been said that Hechavarría would sign during the 2025 international free agent period, it appears that the contract is signed and that he’ll make his professional debut this season. I’d expect him to join the Dominican Summer League Jays for his first season, before quickly climbing the ladder to reach High-A.

A player who had a similar trajectory is Rafael Sánchez, another Cuban right-handed pitcher, who signed as a 22-year-old and pitched at three levels in 2022, before reaching the Vancouver Canadians as a 23-year-old.

It’ll be interesting to see how Hechavarría performs once his career starts, but his size combined with his mid-90s fastball will certainly make him a pitcher worth watching in the future.

As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.





Source link bluejaysnation.com

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR