Promising young baseball talent Rafael Tarín, from Las Tunas, Cuba, has recently left his home country and arrived in the Dominican Republic. The 14-year-old prospect aims to eventually secure a contract with a Major League Baseball (MLB) organization, as reported by journalist and insider Francys Romero on Facebook.
Tarín, who hails from Las Tunas, is regarded as one of the most promising young athletes in Cuban baseball today. In 2023, he was part of Cuba's U-12 team, and a year later, he played for the U-15 squad in the 2024 Caribbean Cup held in the Bahamas.
During the 2025 National U-15 championship, Tarín delivered impressive statistics, hitting .357 with 20 hits and an on-base percentage (OBP) of .472. His performance improved during the final round, where he achieved a batting average of .416.
Standing nearly 6 feet 1 inch tall, Tarín is known for his athleticism, strong arm, and potential as a center fielder. According to Romero, he will be eligible to sign with an MLB team starting January 15, 2028.
This move is part of a growing trend of young Cuban prospects choosing to advance their skills in Dominican academies, a common step for those aiming to secure professional contracts with MLB franchises.
Tarín's departure highlights the increasing number of young talents seeking opportunities beyond Cuba's state-run sports system, amidst a rising migration of junior baseball players looking to develop their careers abroad.
Rafael Tarín's Journey to MLB
Why did Rafael Tarín leave Cuba?
Rafael Tarín left Cuba to pursue opportunities to develop his baseball career in the Dominican Republic, with the aim of signing with a Major League Baseball team in the future.
When will Rafael Tarín be eligible to sign with an MLB team?
Rafael Tarín will be eligible to sign with an MLB organization beginning January 15, 2028.
What are Rafael Tarín's notable achievements in baseball?
Rafael Tarín was part of Cuba's U-12 team in 2023 and the U-15 team in the 2024 Caribbean Cup. In the 2025 National U-15 championship, he achieved a batting average of .357 and improved to .416 in the final round.