Minnesota Twins: Yennier Cano dreams of returning to Cuba one day

Yennier Cano signed with the Minnesota Twins for $750,000 last June. The RHP possesses a 97 mph fastball and a couple of breaking pitches in the high 80’s in his arsenal.

I first met Minnesota Twins RHP Yennier Cano when he was a young fireballer in the 2016 Caribbean World Series in Santo Domingo where although he had an inconsistent tournament with the Ciego de Ávila Tigers he wowed scouts with his electric repertoire.

In Serie Nacional 54, where he helped the Tigers to a championship and had an amazing season winning 11 games, saving six others, and amassing an ERA of 3.01.

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The following season he was even more dominant winning eight games, saving 12 more and posting a sparkling 0.81 earned run average.

The 25-year-old has represented Cuba in various international events including the Caribbean World Series, Pan Am Games, and Premier 12.

Yennier Cano projects as a reliever at the next level and maybe even a closer. He might be up with the big club sooner than later because of his physical maturity. This is also dependent on how he performs.

Although he posted a 4.20 ERA in total last season, he was immaculate at Fort Myers (A+) saving two games and his 2.77 earned run average was a glimpse of the closer he could be.

You were very impressive at A+ ball last year, what have you done during the off-season to stay in shape?

Since my signing, I have been working out at Bartolo Colon‘s academy in Santo Domingo, where I work with my trainer Albin. I focused more this off-season on my physique and perfecting my control. Later in the off-season, I flew to the Twins training facility where I continued my work. At first, the training regiments were different and not to my liking, but eventually, we got around to my normal routine and now I’m as strong as ever and ready to go for the season.

We all know you possess a supersonic fastball, what other pitches do you have in your arsenal?

Since I left Cuba people warned me that with only a fastball in my arsenal I would get nowhere. I arrived in Argentina where Professor Amaro taught me how to throw a changeup, which is a great compliment for my fastball. I also possess a slider and a splitter, which is my favorite pitch to throw.

Aside from learning a new pitch, tell me something else you learned during your time in the Argentine Baseball League?

Argentina was a school for me in a baseball sense. The country taught me how to play in a different climate and I also learned to train with players of various countries and cultures.  I will always be grateful to the country for the impact it made in my career.

At what level will you commence the season?

All signs are pointing to AA, but now all bets are off due to the pandemic. I’m in limbo and will have to wait and see when everything returns to normal.

What’s your goal for the season?

My objective is to start at AA and work my way up to the big leagues from there. This off-season I’ve prepared the hardest I’ve ever prepared. I know I can be a fixture in the Minnesota Twins bullpen, especially with necessities that the team has in the relieving corps. My velocity is better than ever, my control has gotten worlds better and I’m very focused. I don’t want a handout, I want to compete for a job I know I can win.

You made your debut in the Caribbean World Series against the Escogido Lions in 2016. How did you feel on the mound that day?

That day I felt the most pressure I’ve ever felt in any game that I’ve pitched in, there was temptation everywhere because there were scouts all and about the stadium. I didn’t have my best day on the mound that evening, but that didn’t shake my confidence at all. Because I know I belong at this level.

Would you ever like to take the mound again at Cepero Stadium in Ciego de Ávila?

Of course, it is a dream of mine to pitch in Cuba again before I retire.