Left-handed pitcher Andrew Perez is interested in pitching for Cuba in the 2026 World Baseball Classic according to a post by Pelota de Cubana reporter Yusseff Diaz on his X account on June 4.
Perez, 27, is currently pitching for the Charros de Jalisco in Liga Mexicana de Besibol and also pitched for the Tigres del Licey this past winter in LIDOM. Perez was born in Orlando, Florida and is the son of a Cuban father.
Moreover, Perez attended college at the University of South Florida in Tampa from 2016-18. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the eighth round of the 2018 MLB Draft and made it as high as their Triple-A affiliate, the Charlotte Knights, in 2022. He was released by the White Sox organization after the 2023 season.
He threw 267 innings in the minor leagues, with 315 strikeouts, seven saves and an ERA of 4.20. He has pitched the last two seasons in the LMB with the Charros de Jalisco, throwing 45 2/3 innings with 41 strikeouts and an ERA of 6.57.
Perez is a reliever and he tops out in the range of 95-97 mph with his fastball. He works on his game year round in competitive settings and made his LIDOM debut with Tigres del Licey in the 2022-2023 winter. Perez’s LIDOM career numbers are 18 innings, 14 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.33.
It’s unclear with Cuba’s pitching staff and roster will look like for the 2026 WBC, but Perez could definitely factor into the rotation if the Federacion Cubana de Beisbol should decide to use players who are playing outside of Cuba and are not playing under contracts negotiated by the FCB.
Photo: Andrew Perez of the Chicago White Sox baseball team. This image reflects the Chicago White Sox active roster as of Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2023, when this image was taken in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
