Cuban Pitcher Pedro de Jesús Castillo Seeks MLB Opportunity in Dominican Republic
Young Cuban right-handed pitcher Pedro de Jesús Castillo has recently traveled to the Dominican Republic in pursuit of a contract with a Major League Baseball (MLB) organization. Castillo, originally from Granma, demonstrated exceptional velocity during the U15-Pre World Championship tournament, reaching a speed of 88 miles per hour – the fastest recorded on the Cuban team.
Castillo’s move is part of a growing trend of Cuban baseball players seeking opportunities outside of Cuba.The restrictive nature of the Cuban sports system, including limitations on materials, international competition, and direct negotiation with foreign franchises, drives many talented players to the Dominican republic. This country offers specialized baseball academies and increased visibility to MLB scouts.
He joins a wave of other young Cuban prospects already in the Dominican Republic, including Carlos Sarduy, Cristian Aguilera, Damián Díaz, José Muñiz, and Cristopher García, all aiming to develop and sign with MLB teams.
The departure of these players is having a noticeable impact on Cuban baseball, considerably weakening the quality of the national series as the island consistently loses its best young talent before they can fully establish themselves within the Cuban league. This situation highlights a broader crisis within Cuba’s sports system and the limited professional opportunities available there.