Serguey Linares
From BR Bullpen
Serguey Linares Hernández (formerly known as Serguei)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 225 lb.
- Born February 1, 1983 in Pinar del Rio Cuba
Serguey Linares is a pitcher who begins 2007 with the Hickory Crawdads.
Linares was 7-10 with 2 saves in two years in the Cuban Serie Nacional with a 5.59 ERA. Opponents hit .280 and he walked 86 in 162 2/3 IP. He defected from Cuba in 2005 and settled in the Dominican Republic. His fastball had previously been timed at 97-98 mph in tryouts. He had tried out for scouts in July of 2006 but had only thrown 85-86 mph, blaming food poisoning. At one point, he reputedly had signed a $450,000 deal with the Boston Red Sox which is nullified for some reason. When the Pittsburgh Pirates went to scout Yuslan Herrera, they noted Linares and signed him as well.
Linares debuted professionally in the USA on May 8, allowing one hit and one unearned run in 6 innings for the Hickory Crawdads against the Delmarva Shorebirds. He walked one and fanned four. Linares went 1-0 with a 1.61 ERA in four starts for Hickory, allowing a .189 average, and was promoted to the Lynchburg Hillcats. With Lynchburg, he was 6-7 with a 4.35 ERA in 16 starts, with 47 walks in 82 2/3 innings.
Linares was named to the World team for the Futures Game in 2007 but did not play due to a tired arm.
His fastball was timed at 86-88 usually, hitting as high as 93 mph.
Sources: Global Baseball website, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2004-2005 Cuban Baseball Guide, MILB.com
