International Prospects: Javier Carrión, the next Yordan Álvarez?

HAVANA, CUBA - MAY 09: The Cuban flag flies in the outfield as kids play baseball on May 09, 2015 in the Alamar subarb of Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
HAVANA, CUBA - MAY 09: The Cuban flag flies in the outfield as kids play baseball on May 09, 2015 in the Alamar subarb of Havana, Cuba. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Let’s get to know Javier Carrion, one of the more promising international prospects out of Las Tunas, Cuba who is set to sign with a team this year.

Javier Carrion should be one of the most sought-after international prospects in the next international signing period of 2021. The native of Las Tunas, Cuba who is 16 years old is about 6’3 and weighs about 185. For his size, the outfielder moves very well running a 6.3 in the sixty-yard dash.

Carrion starred in Sub 15 Cuban League hitting .316 at the age of 14 and .326 the year after. Many in Las Tunas have compared him to Houston’s Yordan Alvarez due to their physical similarities at that age and the fact that they are from the same province.

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His powerful swing from the left side is what has also drawn the comparisons to the Houston slugger. Carrion was part of the Cuban Sub 15  National Team but decided to leave the island before he could debut with the team in an international tournament.

How have you prepared for your future showcases?

I’ve been preparing about six months for my showcases and plenty of scouts have been to see me workout. I’ve prepared very well and have done plenty of drills to hone my skills. My trainer Yuan Pino, Jr. has done a great job of preparing me.

Do you have any showcases planned for the near future?

The COVID-19  pandemic has set back any future showcases that I had set up. But we’ve taken the time off to fine-tune a few things and will be ready when we have to go in front of the scouts.

There are many similarities between Yordan Alvarez and yourself at your age. How do you feel about those comparisons?

I’m honored that those comparisons have been made, they started in Cuba since we are from the same province and have very similar builds. I’m a fan of his and have always followed his career.

Do you play any other positions aside from the outfield?

I can pitch but for signing purposes, I will be an outfielder, it’s a position I’ve played my whole life and excel at.

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Do you have a favorite team in the Majors?

I like the Dodgers and the Astros due to the fact that Yordan plays there.