Dariel Fernández is the new revelation of pitching in Pinar baseball

December 15, 2020

When talking about Pinar del Río pitchers, it is always said that their historical settlement comes from the teams of the 70s and 80s of the last century. To the already long list of those valuable hurlers, new figures from the second decade of this century must be added: left-hander Liván Moinelo Pita (25) and right-hander Raidel Martínez Pérez (24), both signed in Japan, already for several years and in their youth.

A promising pitcher from Pinar del Río emerges vigorously with results and conditions to establish himself on the mound; left-hander Dariel Fernández Baas (23), is in his third National Series.

In his family everyone likes baseball, but no one had prominence in this sport. He is the son of peasants, in the San Juan neighborhood of Curamagüey, at kilometer 15 on the road to San Juan and Martínez, near the junction to San Luis. His father works the land and his mother is a skilled factory worker.

As a child he went to train at a stadium near his house where two coaches from the minor categories—Luis Alberto Beunes and Michael Gómez—would teach them to play. There he learned the ABC of this sport. He did not go through a pyramid or baseball school, therefore, he never participated in national events of previous categories.

Dariel serves on his team as a starter and pitches left-handed. He has had the opportunity to exchange knowledge and receive advice from left-handed pitchers like Omar Ajete and Faustino Corrales, as well as coach Cortina (José Manuel).

For now his main pitches are the four-seam fastball and two-seam fastball, curveball, slider and changeup, which he has been introducing with good results.

The maximum velocity that the radar guns have recorded is 91 mph.

MsC. Raciel Sánchez is the head coach of the Pinar del Río team and agreed to speak about Dariel: "He has youth, he is intelligent, he possesses analytical ability, good defense on the mound, velocity and control. He likes to train well, which is not the same as going to train. He improves in each session."

In his view he should increase his muscle mass, continue working on control, have more confidence in himself and continue learning the tactics.