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A 21-year-old pitcher on Team Nicaragua signed an MLB contract shortly after an impressive showing in the World Baseball Classic. Duque Hebbert is now a member of the Detroit Tigers organization after mowing down a number of professional stars.
The news is making its way around social media and fans are posting their surprising reactions.
Hebbert is a reliever for Team Nicaragua, and he put his talents on full display for baseball viewers on Monday. In a matchup against the Dominican Republic, the flamethrowing righty struck out sluggers Rafael Devers, Julio Rodriguez, and Juan Soto in the ninth inning of action.
That trio of All Stars combined to hit 82 home runs last season in Major League play while hitting .295, .284, and .242, respectively. Rodriguez was the American League’s Rookie of the Year while Soto and Devers have both been MVP candidates.
In 21 appearances last year, Hebbert posted a 4.71 ERA with 24 strikeouts over 28.2 innings of work. That came while the righty was pitching in the Nicaraguan Professional League.
Now, though, he’ll have his sights set on the Big Leagues.
21-year-old Nicaraguan pitcher Duque Hebbert struck out Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez and Rafael Devers today
So a Tigers scout approached Hebbert and he signed a contract one hour after the game ended 👏 pic.twitter.com/cVcG34862S
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 13, 2023
Apparently, a scout for the Detroit Tigers was in attendance at the game, and he was so impressed with Duque Hebbert that he signed him to a minor league deal.
One of the Tigers’ scouts, Luis Molina, found Hebbert as he was leaving LoanDepot Park, asked him a handful of questions and signed him to a minor league contract, said Nicaraguan Athletics Federation press officer Carlos Alfaro Leon. An announcement was made on the bus in front of the whole team.
Baseball fans were quick to comment on the exciting news.
Many viewers noted his disgusting arsenal of pitches, which include a fastball and slider which both clock in the 90s, as well as a filthy changeup.
The slider to JRod was filthy
— Ƭíօ 🏄♂️ (@jad0t) March 13, 2023
That changed up is nasty 😭😭
— Dez (@Dezmundcraig120) March 13, 2023
Others commented on the awesome opportunity he’ll now get with the Tigers. Put this under “things you absolutely love to see.”
— Casey (@CaseyJ_516) March 13, 2023
The Nicaraguan team would end up losing to the Dominican Republic, but Duque Hebbert landed a huge win.