The top player in Cuba, Yulieski Gourriel, has reportedly left the Cuban national team in the Dominican Republic, together with his younger brother Lourdes, Jr., to try and find a deal with an MLB team.
For reference, Gourriel hit .343/.432/.577 in Cuba’s top league last year, and was hitting a comical .535/.604/1.012 through his first 23 games this year. The third baseman is absolutely ridiculous with the bat, and, whenever he arrives in MLB, he’s probably going to be pretty darn good.
Since folks all over the baseball web are celebrating the news that he’s coming, I figure why not watch some Gourriel highlights and homers, eh?
Here’s a rocket shot from his recent stint playing in Japan:
Here’s an opposite field bomb from this past October in Cuba:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gKZzDaol0E
And a highlight package from his huge season in 2014: