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Former Cuban star signed by Scorpions

April 20, 2005 - Golden Baseball League (GBL)
Yuma Scorpions News Release


(Yuma, AZ) – The Yuma Scorpions announced today that they have signed former Cuban National Team star Alexis Hernandez to a contract. The signing of Hernandez gives Scorpions' Manager Benny Castillo two catchers to head to Scorpions' Spring Training with when camp starts May 10th.

Hernandez has had a whirlwind professional career that has seen him spend time playing in four different countries. Hernandez first showed up on U.S. baseball scouts' radar in 1999, when he came to the United States as the starting catcher for the star-studded Cuban National Baseball Team. Alexis had been a three-year starter for the Cubans, not just behind the plate, but also making starts at third base and first base. Alexis asked for and was granted political asylum while touring the U.S. that year. Yet, his first experience with baseball wasn't on American soil. Hernandez signed with Winnipeg in the Northern League, and spent 48 games behind the plate and as a designated hitter for the Goldeyes in 2000. Hernandez hit seven homers and ten doubles that season-and first caught the attention of Castillo who was managing the St. Paul Saints to the Northern League title that year. "I saw him play for a couple of years in the Northern League, and he really impressed me," said Castillo. "He's a very physical guy, and a proven catcher." But after the season, Winnipeg purged almost their entire roster, and Hernandez headed south of the Canadian... and American... borders. Hernandez got his first taste of the Desert Southwest by heading to Mexico and signing with the Aguilas of Mexicali for the 2001 season. But the 6-foot-2, 225-pound catcher would return to the Northern League for portions the next three years, hooking on with the Lincoln Saltdogs late in the 2001 season. Signing Hernandez would pay dividends for the ‘Dogs-and their manager, current Mesa Miners' Manager Les Lancaster-over parts of the next three seasons as the Havana native hit a combined .286 in 66 games over that span, with 8 home runs and 46 runs batted in.

Hernandez began the 2003 season battling a knee injury in Lincoln, and was granted his release after just one game. Hernandez spent two games with Pennsylvania in the Atlantic League before heading south again, finishing up the 2003 season with Puebla of the Mexican League. And after spending the 2004 season out of baseball, Hernandez says he's ready to get back in-and excited to be working for Castillo. "All of my career, I've wanted to play for Benny," said Hernandez from his Tampa home. "He's a good man, and a great manager." Castillo adds: "He's a decent hitter, but his main strengths are what he does behind the plate calling the game, and creating a great target for his pitchers. His entire mental approach behind the plate will easily make him one of the stronger catchers in the Golden Baseball League."



Golden Baseball League Stories from April 20, 2005


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