Catcher Alfredo Fadraga seemed destined to join the big league class of Cuba in the next years; However, the baseball player’s career has taken a completely unexpected turn, which has now led him to be back on the island, where he has a punishment that prevents him from playing baseball on the local circuit.
In June 2022, the mask was captured in Mexico after leaving the national U-23 team competing in the Pan American Championships.
Along with Fadraga, pitcher Yosvani Ávalos was also captured and both were deported to Cuba, where they received a lifetime ban from all sporting activities. After that measure, it was evident that the only possible path left for the duo was to leave the island in search of a signature with a Major League organization (MLB).
In December of that year, journalist Francys Romero announced that Fadraga had escaped from Cuba and was on his way to the Dominican Republic, a place where Antillean baseball players usually carry out their preparation before agreeing with an organized baseball team.
Later, in March 2023, the mask was officially declared a free agent by the Major League Baseball Commissioner’s Office and reports claimed that there was a lot of interest in his services among different currencies on the highest stage.
And last September he received an invitation to the training sessions of the Estrellas Orientales of the Quisqueyan winter ball, with whom he sought to earn a place.
Change of plans:
However, the signing never materialized and recently journalist Yordano Carmona revealed on his account on the social network X the unexpected news that Fadraga suffered an arm injury that blocked any type of agreement and that the player had returned to Cuba.
The move leaves the Cuban’s career in complete uncertainty, especially taking into account that the lifetime ban in his nation still stands.
Fadraga, 25 years old, recorded five seasons in the National Series (57-61), with an average of .268, 170 hits, 38 doubles, two triples, 42 homers, 143 RBIs, .533 slugging percentage and .901 OPS .
