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Serie Nacional: Lefty Ulfrido Garcia returns to Italy

By Yusseff Diaz

Pitcher Ulfrido Garcia of Cuba's Alazanes del Granma throws against Puerto Rico's Criollos de Caguas during the Caribbean Baseball Series at the Charros Jalisco stadium in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico, on February 6, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / ULISES RUIZ (Photo credit should read ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Pitcher Ulfrido Garcia of Cuba's Alazanes del Granma throws against Puerto Rico's Criollos de Caguas during the Caribbean Baseball Series at the Charros Jalisco stadium in Guadalajara, Jalisco state, Mexico, on February 6, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / ULISES RUIZ (Photo credit should read ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images) /
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After spending last season in la Serie Nacional, Ulfrido Garcia is set to return to the Italian Professional Baseball League.

As reported by Francys Romero a few days ago Santiago de Cuba, Cuba native Ulfrido Garcia of la Serie Nacional is making his return to the Italian Professional Baseball League Serie A1, but this time it’s with the Macerata Angels ASD. In 2018 he pitched with Parma Clima of Serie A1 and had a record of 5-4 with a 3.81 ERA. He is expected to arrive in Italy within the coming weeks to join his new ball club.

The hard-throwing lefty has plenty of international experience with Cuba. Garcia was part of the 2017-18 Granma Caribbean World Series team and compiled an ERA of 5.40 during the tournament.

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He has also been part of the Cuban National Team that has an incursion in the Can-Am League in 2017 and was part of the friendship series with the United States National Collegiate team that same year.

Last season in the Serie Nacional, Ulfrido Garcia had a record 6-8 and a 5.04 earned run average in 18 starts with the Santiago Red Wasps.

What is your goal for the season?

I want to improve from my last incursion in Serie A1 and do my best to help my team earn a playoff birth.

Compare the talent level of Italy with the one in the Serie Nacional?

The talent level is close in quality,  but I think the Serie Nacional maybe a little above that of the Serie A1. Although Italy does have a lot of experienced foreign players which elevate the league’s talent level, it’s still a little below Cuba.

How did your experience in the Caribbean World Series make you a better player?

It was a great experience and an honor to reinforce Granma. Being able to face a top tier talent pool such as the one in the Serie del Caribe helped me build confidence and showed me I can compete with some of the best.

What’s one thing you picked up during the tournament?

Facing the talented batters of the winter circuits taught me to be disciplined and that I had to be fine with my pitches because at that level hitters punish your mistakes. Hitters at this level are very intelligent and disciplined.

Next. 2020 MLB Season: Three more Cubans placed on IL. dark

Is there any pitcher or pitchers you admire in the Serie Nacional?

From my province I definitely admire legends like Norge Luis Vera, Braudilio Vinent and Ormari Romero. I also admire Cienfuegos lefty Adiel Palma.

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