Cuban prospect Yenier Bello plays for MLB scouts

Cuban prospect Yenier Bello worked out in front of major league scouts in Mexico on Tuesday, reports Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet. The 28-year-old catcher took batting practice against live pitching and made throws to second and third base during the workout.

Bello profiles as a right-handed hitting catcher with power and a big throwing arm. He played nine seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional, posting a career line of .276/.324/.458 while blasting 82 home runs and gunning down half of the 236 baserunners who attempted to steal against him. He hasn’t caught games all year, but looked “solid” behind the plate, according to Nicholson-Smith.

Bello’s road to the majors isn’t quite complete, though. He was cleared by MLB in October, but he still needs to be unblocked by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) before he can sign with a team. That process could take several months, or it could be done by the end of the year if the paperwork goes through quickly, reports Nicholson-Smith.

Two other Cuban prospects worked out alongside Bello: right-handed pitcher Rogelio Armenteros, and first baseman Jozzen Cuesta.

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