The Cuban outfielder and first baseman, Guillermo García, who is also the grandson of Revolutionary Commander Guillermo García Frías, is diligently preparing in the Dominican Republic with aspirations to join a Major League Baseball team. Having left his contract with the Quebec Capitales in the Canadian Frontier League, the 24-year-old athlete is now training under the guidance of Julio Estrada, Reinier Orozco, and Pavel Pino at the TBT Baseball Academy, as reported by journalist Francys Romero on Facebook.
García is set to participate in a showcase for MLB scouts in March, where he aims to exhibit his skills and potential. With a background in the Cuban National Series playing for the Alazanes de Granma, his performance caught the attention of the Chunichi Dragons in Japan's Professional Baseball League (NPB). Despite signing a contract backed by the Cuban Federation, he spent most of his time in Japan's minor leagues.
His move to the Dominican Republic follows the path of other Cuban players like Yariel Rodríguez and Pedro Revilla, who also left contracts with Chunichi in pursuit of MLB opportunities. In his last season in the Frontier League, García boasted a .299 batting average, with seven doubles, four home runs, 20 runs scored, and 29 RBIs over 39 games.
According to Diario de Cuba, García's case has stirred controversy, as his ambition to pursue a career in the MLB, once labeled "slave baseball" by the late dictator Fidel Castro, contrasts with his familial ties to a notable figure of the Cuban regime. Some analysts speculate that this might be a governmental strategy to maintain a presence of Cuban players in the MLB and potentially on the national team.
Guillermo García's MLB Aspirations
Why did Guillermo García leave the Quebec Capitales?
Guillermo García left the Quebec Capitales to prepare for his MLB showcase and seek opportunities to sign with a Major League team.
What is the significance of García's family background?
García's family background is significant because he is the grandson of a prominent Cuban revolutionary figure, which contrasts with his pursuit of a career in MLB, a league historically criticized by the Cuban regime.
Who are the other Cuban players following a similar path?
Other Cuban players like Yariel Rodríguez and Pedro Revilla have also abandoned contracts with Japanese teams to pursue opportunities in Major League Baseball.