Call Up the Cuban

[love_that_reefer]

Nationals recalled RHP Yuneksy Maya from Triple-A Syrcause.
Maya, a 29-year-old Cuban defector, signed a major league contract with the Nats in late July and has torn through the minor league ranks. He's a bit of an unknown with a decent amount of risk, but NL-only leaguers should definitely check him out. The righty will get the Mets in his debut Tuesday.

I know he's no Strasburg but I am excited to see what the Nats did here. Maya joins another Cuban defector in Livan Harnandez and if Maya pans out, the Nats might start being a Cuban magnet. Maya has only started five games over three levels in the minors and has logged just 21 IP. He has given up 8 ER and has 10 BBs to 18 K's. I'm looking forward to seeing what the Nats got here for 4 yrs and $8 million. He is supposed to be taking Scott Olsen's spot in the rotation.

[realmofotalk]

If you look past the mystique of forbidden talent from Cuba, the quality isn't much better than that from the D.R.

[love_that_reefer]

Yunesky Maya posted a 1.32 ERA over eight starts in the Dominican Winter League this offseason.
Maya also had a .193 opponents’ batting average and a spectacular 42/9 K/BB ratio in 41 innings. He inked a four-year, $6 million contract with the Nationals in 2010 and went to post a lousy 5.88 ERA and 12/11 K/BB ratio over his first 26 big league innings. But the talent is there and he may find a way into the Opening Day rotation if all goes well during the spring.

Hopefully this is encouraging news for Nats fans. I know I'm encouraged by the 42/9 K/BB.