Ariel Pestano Jr., son of the legendary former catcher for the Cuban National Baseball Team, left Cuba this Monday, according to sports journalist Francys Romero.
"Pestano Jr. boarded a flight to Managua, Nicaragua, presumably to make the journey through Central America to reach the United States," Romero reported on his website, citing sources familiar with the situation.
Pestano Jr.'s departure comes shortly after he requested to leave national baseball amid the ongoing National Series. It was previously reported that his plan was to reunite in the U.S. with his girlfriend, identified on Instagram as Mary Elizundia, who has been living there for some time and works as a model.
"At 26 years old, he still has a chance to at least try to continue in baseball," noted Francys Romero, who highlighted that Pestano Jr. is a switch-hitter with excellent defensive skills. However, the journalist admits that Pestano Jr.'s continuation in baseball or his entry into professional leagues appears challenging.
"With effective representation, he might be able to join a circuit or participate in tryouts with MLB organizations. However, opportunities in Independent Leagues and other circuits are not what they used to be," Romero explained.
Francys Romero added, "Spaces are scarce throughout the system, and the remuneration in these leagues suggests that a player will not stay in them for many years."
Ariel Pestano Jr. participated in six National Series between 2017 and 2024. Throughout his career, he holds an OBP of .382, with 41 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 169 runs scored. He played 66 games in the current 63rd National Series with Villa Clara, where he hit .276 with 8 home runs and an OBP of .392.
Pestano Jr. is another son of renowned players who have left Cuba. The list, which began around 2010, "is now almost endless," concluded Romero.
Dairon Pérez Urbano, a journalist from the CMHW La Reina Radial del Centro radio station, recently revealed that Ariel Pestano Jr. and Leandro Turiño (32 years old), both from the Villa Clara team, had officially requested their release due to leaving the country. The information was later confirmed by Ramón Moré, director of the Leopardos team. The exodus of Cuban baseball players shows no signs of stopping.
Ariel Pestano Jr.'s Departure from Cuba: Key Questions Answered
In light of Ariel Pestano Jr.'s recent departure from Cuba, many questions have arisen regarding his journey and future in baseball. Below, we address some of the most pertinent inquiries:
Why did Ariel Pestano Jr. leave Cuba?
Ariel Pestano Jr. left Cuba to reunite with his girlfriend in the United States and to explore opportunities to continue his baseball career.
What are the challenges Ariel Pestano Jr. might face in the U.S. baseball scene?
Pestano Jr. may face challenges such as limited opportunities in MLB and Independent Leagues, as well as the need for effective representation to secure tryouts and contracts.
What is Ariel Pestano Jr.'s baseball background?
Ariel Pestano Jr. has played in six National Series in Cuba, achieving an OBP of .382, with notable statistics including 41 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs, and 83 RBIs.