Enyer Fernández spent several months stranded in the Dominican Republic for lack of money.
14ymedio/Swing Completo, Havana, September 28, 2025 — Baseball player Enyer Fernández returned to Cuba last Friday after his attempt to be picked up by a professional team in the Dominican Republic failed. After leaving the national sport last November, the 24-year-old from Guantánamo hopes that the Island’s National Baseball Commission will welcome him with open arms.
Fernández returned after spending ten months in the Dominican Republic and not getting a contract. “At the time it was a possible starting point for new personal goals. However, it became a personal ordeal,” highlighted the specialized medium Swing Completo. Without money or prospects of a contract, he was stranded with no chance to return. His case even prompted a collection, intended for paying his return ticket to Cuba, but the initiative failed.
The left-hander arrived preceded by a National Series in which, with 70 strikeouts, he placed third with an average of 3.96 ERA (allowed clean runs), and a pitching speed between 90-92 miles per hour. In addition, he was in the pre-selection of the national team of the Premier 12 tournament and participated in the Caribbean Cup. Before, in 2022, he joined the U23 representation.
Fernández tried out for Major League organizations with pitches between 89-91 miles per hour (mph), below his personal mark
Fernández’ characteristics placed him as an ideal prospect for the talent scouts. The power of his arm, according to journalist Francys Romero, opened up the possibility of “commanding the strike zone and aspiring to a contract with a professional team.”
During his stay in the Dominican Republic, the lefty perfected his skills at the TBT Baseball Academy under the tutelage of Julio Estrada, a center where other Cubans have also trained, like Andey Garrido, Pedro Pablo Revilla and Daniel Reyes, whom he met.
Last July 7, Fernández appeared before Major League organizations, but it was not the best day for him: he recorded pitches of 89-91 mph, below his personal mark, and a 76-79 mph slider.
His chances were slim after “the franchises of Major League teams concentrated during the last months of the international period on pitchers. Of the 75 players signed in May, 53 were pitchers,” said journalist Francys Romero.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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