Right-handed pitcher Leandro Forteza, a 19-year-old from Sancti Spíritus, has landed in the Dominican Republic this past weekend with the aim of securing a contract with a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. This news was shared by sports journalist Francys Romero on his social media platforms.
Forteza becomes the eighth member of Cuba's Under-18 team, which represented the island nation at the 2025 World Cup in its category, to leave the country seeking professional opportunities in American baseball.
Impressive World Cup Performance
In the tournament hosted in Okinawa, Japan, Forteza took the mound in three games, achieving a 2-1 record with an ERA of 3.36 and striking out seven batters over 8.1 innings pitched.
One of his standout performances came against South Africa, where he pitched five innings, allowed only one hit, and led Cuba to a decisive 10-0 victory.
Additionally, he was the winning pitcher in Cuba's 4-3 victory over Germany during the consolation round, as the national team concluded the tournament in seventh place.
Challenges in Cuba's National Series
Beyond international youth baseball, Forteza participated in the 64th National Series (2025-2026 season) with the Sancti Spíritus team. During his time there, he recorded a 0-3 mark and an ERA of 7.20 across six games and 15 innings pitched, according to his profile on Cubadugout.
The Path to MLB
Following a similar path as his U-18 World Cup teammates, Forteza is establishing residency in the Dominican Republic to become eligible as an international free agent and sign with MLB teams during recruitment periods.
The exodus began with left-handed pitcher César Morales from Villa Clara in July 2025, who started training in Santo Domingo under the representation of Wasserman agency. He was followed by Marcos Fuentes and Alejandro Cairo in August 2025, Cristian Rojas in October 2025, and Javier Zambrano in November of the same year.
Most recently, before Forteza, 17-year-old right-hander Richard Bouquet from Holguín left Cuba in July 2026, joining Bailli Baseball for representation.
Ongoing Talent Drain in Cuban Baseball
This pattern highlights the Cuban sports system's struggles to retain its youngest talents amid the allure of professional contracts in the Major Leagues, a trend showing no signs of abating.
With eight of its members already having departed, the Cuban team sent to the 2025 U-18 World Cup has become one of the most affected by the talent drain that has characterized Cuban baseball in recent years.
Understanding the Cuban Baseball Exodus
Why are young Cuban baseball players leaving the country?
Young Cuban baseball players often leave the country seeking professional opportunities and contracts with Major League Baseball teams, which offer them the chance to develop their careers and earn significantly more than they could in Cuba.
How does establishing residency in the Dominican Republic help Cuban players?
By establishing residency in the Dominican Republic, Cuban players can become eligible as international free agents, allowing them to sign with MLB teams during official recruitment periods, bypassing restrictions that apply to Cuban nationals.
What impact does the talent drain have on Cuban baseball?
The ongoing talent drain significantly weakens the Cuban baseball league as many of its most promising players leave for MLB. This trend affects the quality of play and the development of the sport within Cuba.