A Nicaraguan pitcher who made a surprise appearance at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) is becoming a hot topic as he signed a contract with a major league club on the spot.
The main character is 21-year-old Nicaraguan right-hander Duque Hebbert.
ESPN reported on the 14th (Korean time), ‘The Nicaragua national team lost to the Dominican Republic at the WBC today, but depending on the view, one pitcher can be said to have won.’먹튀검증
Nicaragua lost to the Dominican Republic 1-6 in Group D match held at Londippo Park in Miami that day. However, Hebert showed impressive pitching. He took the mound in the top of the ninth, trailing 1-6, giving up only one hit and striking out all three outs in one inning.
However, it is surprising that the hitters struck out by him are the best superstars in the major leagues. First of all, lead batter Juan Soto struck out Hebert on three pitches and withdrew. He swung a miss on a changeup that landed low at 84.5 mph. Turning around, Soto shook his head at his dugout colleagues. Julio Rodriguez then missed the bat on an 80.4 mile slider on the 5th ball count 2B2S.
Manny Machado hit a double to left, but Rafael Devers struck out on a swing on a full count by Hebert’s low 83.8 mph changeup.
It is said that a Detroit Tigers scout who watched this process on the spot approached Hebert as he was leaving the field after the game and brought up the story of the contract.
ESPN said, “According to Nicaragua Sports Federation press officer Carlos Alfaro Leone, Tigers scout Luis Molina spotted Hebert leaving Londipo Park, approached him, asked questions and instantly signed him to a minor league contract,” said ESPN. This fact was officially announced inside the team bus.”
It is very rare to sign a contract with a major league club like this. Hebert threw a changeup in the mid-80s and a sinker and slider in the low-90s. But he didn’t have pitches far out of the strike zone, and his low pitch, corner work, and messy ball movement stood out.
Sandor Guido, coach of the Nicaragua national team, welcomed him, saying, “He showed what kind of pitcher he is today. With will and passion, good things happen.”
According to Baseball Reference, Hebert is a right-hander and has a diminutive physique with a height of 1m78 and a weight of 77kg. Born in October 2001 in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. He appeared in 15 games in the Nicaragua Winter League before participating in the WBC, threw 20 innings, and recorded 19 hits (including 3 homers), 7 walks, 18 strikeouts, an ERA of 5.40, and a WHIP of 1.300.