Frank Álvarez
| Frank Álvarez | |
|---|---|
| Vegueros de Pinar del Río | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: January 16, 1999 Pinar del Río, Cuba | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Stats at Baseball Reference |
Frank Abel Álvarez (born January 16, 1999) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Vegueros de Pinar del Río of the Cuban National Series.
Álvarez previously played for the Chunichi Dragons organization from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball and for the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League. Álvarez was named to the Cuba national baseball team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Career
Vegueros de Pinar del Río (first stint)
In Cuba, Álvarez made his debut with Vegueros de Pinar del Río of the Cuban National Series in the 2018–19 season. In 11 games in his first season, Álvarez was 1–1 with a 2.76 ERA. Álvarez did not match that success in his following two seasons, pitching to a 8.05 ERA and 4.47 ERA, respectively.[1]
Chunichi Dragons
For the 2022 season, Álvarez signed a development contract with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball. Similar to his time in Pinar del Río, for the development team, Álvarez has a very strong first season with a 3.38 ERA in 7 games. In subsequent seasons, Álvarez struggled to a 5.56 ERA and 6.64 ERA. Álvarez was not offered a contract after the 2024 season and was never promoted to the main team.[2][3]
Guerreros de Oaxaca
In February 2025, Álvarez signed with the Guerreros de Oaxaca of the Mexican League.[4] However, he suffered an elbow injury and never made an appearance for the team.[5]
Vegueros de Pinar del Río (second stint)
Álvarez returned to Pinar del Río for the 2025–26 season.[6]
References
- ^ Butler, Alex (March 20, 2023). "Cuba's Frank Alvarez throws ball at heckling spectator during loss to USA". UPI. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Cuban baseball players renew their contracts in Japanese professional baseball". On Cuba Baseball. December 28, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ Diaz, Yusseff (May 18, 2023). "Frank Abel Álvarez: "The WBC was the greatest experience of my life."". Cuban Baseball Digest. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ Leon, Julio (February 5, 2025). "Llega a Guerreros de Oaxaca el pitcher cubano Frank Álvarez". NVI Noticias. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ Hidalgo Gato, Guillermo Rodríguez (December 19, 2025). "Talento del béisbol cubano regresó al montículo". Radio Rebelde. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
- ^ "Frank Abel Álvarez: cuando Cuba cabe en un lanzamiento". Tele Pinar. January 30, 2026. Retrieved February 14, 2026.
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)