The 21-year-old pitcher for the Nicaraguan team strikes out THREE of the most feared hitters in the MLB: Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez and Rafael Devers in the World Baseball Classic… and lands a minor league contract with the Tigers for his ‘extraordinary’ output
A 21-year-old Nicaraguan pitcher struck out three of the game’s most feared hitters in his only inning of work in the World Baseball Classic on Monday before signing a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.
Duque Hebbert, a 5-foot-9 right-hander, fanned out All-Star sluggers Juan Soto, Julio Rodríguez and Rafael Devers in the ninth inning of Nicaragua’s 6-1 loss to the Dominican Republic in Miami. Hebbert gave up a double to San Diego Padres All-Star Manny Machado, but he still impressed by mixing a 90 sinker, 80 changeup and 90 sliders to strike out the side.
In total, Hebbert threw 19 pitches, recording 14 strikeouts and three strikeouts. Soto of the Padres, Rodríguez of the Mariners and Devers of the Red Sox all fell hard.
Tigers scout Luis Molina picked up Hebbert as he was leaving the Marlins’ LoanDepot Park to ask him a few questions and sign him to a minor league contract, according to Nicaraguan Athletics Federation press officer Carlos Alfaro León. .
Hebbert’s good news was announced to his teammates on the Nicaraguan bus after the defeat.
Nicaraguan reliever Duque Hebbert (62) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Dominican Republic at LoanDepot Park in Miami
Tigers scout Luis Molina picked up Hebbert as he was leaving the Marlins’ LoanDepot Park to ask him a few questions and sign him to a minor league contract, according to Nicaraguan Athletics Federation press officer Carlos Alfaro León. .
“Extraordinary,” Nicaragua coach Sandor Guido told reporters. ‘That’s one of the positive parts of the game. That young man is less than 23 years old. He demonstrated what he is made of when you have the will, when you have a heart, you can do very good things.
He came and faced the best players on the team. … It’s a good experience for him, and he’s going to get better.’
Nicaragua fell to 0-3 in Pool C play with the loss, while the Dominican Republic improved to 1-1.
Hebbert’s path to the majors is far from sure. Nicaragua, a country best known for soccer and boxing, has produced only a handful of MLB players, including four-time former All-Star Dennis ‘El Presidente’ Martinez.
Spokesmen for the Tigers did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for more information.
Duque Hebbert, a 5-foot-9 right-hander, fanned out All-Stars Juan Soto (left), Julio Rodríguez (right) and Rafael Devers in the ninth inning of Nicaragua’s 6-1 loss to the Dominican Republic in Miami. Hebbert gave up a double to San Diego Padres All-Star Manny Machado, but still impressed by mixing a low ’90s sinker, mid-’80s changeup, and ’90s low sliders to strike out the sideline. .
Rafael Devers #11 of Team Dominican Republic in action during the World Baseball Classic Group D Training Day at LoanDepot Park on March 10
Nicaragua has produced only a handful of MLB players, including four-time former All-Star Dennis ‘El Presidente’ Martinez (left in 1979 and right in 2014).