Yunesky Maya

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #11 prospect in 2011
  A veteran of the big stage in Cuba, Maya pitched for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic in 2006 and 2009. In the latter year, he went 13-4, 2.22 in Cuba's Serie Nacionale and led the league in wins, innings and shutouts while ranking second to Aroldis Chapman in strikeouts. Maya defected that September to the Dominican Republic, where he lived for nine months before being authorized to sign with a major league team. The Nationals inked him to a four-year, $7.4 million contact that included a $1 million bonus last July. After five tuneup appearances in the minors, he came to Washington for five starts in September. When he was younger, Maya pitched in the low 90s and topped out at 96 mph, but in 2010, working his way back into form afer a long layoff, he worked at 88-91. His fastball still can be effective at lower velocities because he can cut and sink it. Maya lacks overpowering stuff but is a polished strike-thrower who knows how to work hitters. His best pitch is an average curveball that shows flashes of being a plus pitch. He adds and subtracts from his curve, which ranges from 76-82 mph. His 83-87 mph changeup has some splitter action, and his 82-85 mph slider gives him another serviceable pitch. Maya still has to learn the nuances of American baseball, including holding runners, but he fields his position well. He has a sturdy frame and repeats his easy arm action well, giving him a very good chance to be a back-of-the-rotation workhorse in the big leagues. That's where he figures to spend all of 2011.