On Mother's Day, right-handed pitcher Franco Alemán from Cuba made an impressive debut in Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Guardians. During the game against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field, he pitched two scoreless innings, struck out one batter, and reached a top speed of 99 mph.
Alemán's debut marks him as the 405th player born in Cuba to reach the MLB, a milestone that includes those who played in the Negro Leagues, as reported by baseball analyst Francys Romero.
The call to the big leagues came on Friday, May 8, when the Guardians promoted Alemán from Triple-A Columbus Clippers. To make room on the roster, the team designated reliever Connor Brogdon for assignment, with manager Stephen Vogt publicly thanking Brogdon for his contributions early in the season.
High Hopes for Alemán
Vogt expressed his excitement about Alemán's arrival, stating, "Franco Alemán's time here has been a long time coming, and today is the day." He added, "We are thrilled with Franco and how he has been pitching in Triple-A."
Before his promotion, Alemán had a dominant 2026 season in Triple-A, where he pitched 12 innings without allowing an earned run, struck out 18, and issued only four walks, with a velocity reaching 97-98 mph.
Journey from Cuba to the Majors
Born on June 26, 2000, in Yaguajay, Sancti Spíritus Province, Alemán moved to the United States at the age of 11. He grew up in Tampa, Florida, attending Alonso High School and earning All-State honors. After attending several universities, he joined the Florida Gators and was selected by the then Cleveland Indians in the 10th round of the 2021 MLB Draft, signing for $175,000.
Alemán's path to the major leagues was hindered by physical setbacks, including a lat muscle strain in 2024 and hernia surgery in 2025, delaying his ascent to the highest level. Nonetheless, in 2024, he recorded a 1.99 ERA over 22.2 innings with 34 strikeouts in Columbus, and in November of that year, he was added to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, a testament to the team's faith in his potential.
Future Prospects
Standing at 1.98 meters, Alemán's pitching arsenal includes a sinker clocked between 94 and 99 mph, paired with an effective slider, which positioned him as Cleveland's 29th-ranked prospect at the time of his call-up.
The Guardians have consistently invested in Cuban talent: besides Alemán, they signed Loidel Amaya and Karell Naranjo in January 2026 and have left-handed pitcher Miguel Flores within their system.
Cuban Talent in MLB
How many Cuban-born players have reached MLB?
Including those who played in the Negro Leagues, Franco Alemán is the 405th Cuban-born player to reach MLB.
What challenges did Franco Alemán face on his journey to MLB?
Alemán faced physical challenges, including a lat muscle strain and hernia surgery, which delayed his MLB debut.