Leandro Forteza arrives in Dominican Republic seeking MLB contract

Leandro Forteza, a 19-year-old right-handed pitcher from Sancti Spíritus, has arrived in the Dominican Republic to seek a contract with a Major League Baseball (MLB) organization. Forteza is the eighth member of Cuba’s Under-18 World Cup team to leave the island in search of professional opportunities.

During the 2025 Under-18 World Cup, Forteza recorded a 2-1 record with a 3.36 ERA, striking out seven batters in 8.1 innings. His notable performances included pitching five innings with only one hit allowed against South Africa and earning the win in a game against Germany. In Cuba’s 64th National Series, he played for Sancti Spíritus, recording a 0-3 mark and a 7.20 ERA over six games.

Forteza is establishing residency in the Dominican Republic to qualify as an international free agent. He joins several other recent departures from the Cuban national youth system, including players such as César Morales, Marcos Fuentes, Alejandro Cairo, Cristian Rojas, Javier Zambrano, and Richard Bouquet.