Sources: William Alvarez and Lazaro Herrera Jr. left Cuba
Sources: William Alvarez and Lazaro Herrera Jr. left Cuba
William Álvarez was Cuban National U-15 team member in 2024.
Two more young talents have left Cuba in recent days with the goal of signing a professional contract, according to several sources close to Béisbol FR.
These players are William Alejandro Álvarez and Lázaro Herrera Jr., who are already in the Dominican Republic training at the G&T Béisbol Academy in Punta Cana.
Álvarez, born in Santa Clara, Villa Clara, was part of the Cuba U-15 team that participated in the U-15 Pan American Championship in the Dominican Republic last March. He is the seventh player in this team to left Cuba in pursuit of signing with a Major League organization.
His résumé also includes participation in the 2022 Qualifier Little League in the Dominican Republic, where the Santa Clara team was one win away from qualifying for the Little League World Series in the United States.
In the final stage of the 2024 National U-15 Championship, he posted a .350 batting average in 24 plate appearances (7 hits in 20 at-bats) with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 3 RBIs, and 3 walks.
Alvarez is a very selective and mature hitter for his age, with an excellent physique and the ability to hit to all parts of the field. Defensively, he can play anywhere in the infield and the outfield. In his short career, he has also played as a pitcher.
Álvarez, 14 years old, will be eligible to sign in the international period beginning on January 15, 2027.
The other recently departed player is the young Lázaro Herrera Jr. His father played for 16 seasons in the National Series with Matanzas, known for his power at the plate and his defense at catcher and first base.
Herrera Jr. is beginning a new chapter in the Dominican Republic, and his best tool is his hitting, with the ability to make consistent contact with the ball. In about two years, it will be important to assess how his body develops, but right now he projects as a power hitter with potential to play catcher, first base, and the outfield.
His power is the best of the entire class of 13-14 year old players in Cuba during 2024. On one occasion even this year, Herrera Jr. received an intentional walk with the bases loaded.
He recently hit .286/.423/.571 with 3 doubles and a home run in the National U-15 Championship, followed by an offensive line of .375/.565/.500 in 23 at-bats and 39 innings playing as first base in the National U-15 final.
He is currently 13 years old and will turn 14 next November, making him eligible to sign starting January 15, 2028.
The current international prospect market is valuing players between 13 and 16 years old more than ever before. That is the priority and competition among MLB organizations right now.
The current international signing system will remain in place at least until 2026. After that, we'll have to wait for the new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Players Union and Major League team owners to see if the same signing system is maintained or if, as many in the industry have requested, the International Draft is implemented.
These two newly arrived talents in the Dominican Republic will navigate these uncertain waters.