Yuniesky Maya

From BR Bullpen

Yuniesky Maya Mendiluza

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 11", Weight 174 lb.

Born August 28, 1981

Yuniesky Maya has been a member of the Cuban national team since 2005.

Maya debuted in the Cuban Serie Nacional in 2003-2004 with Pinar del Río, allowing one run in 10 innings and went 2-0. In 2004-2005, he was 5-2 with 7 saves and a 1.61 ERA, leading the league. He also was the winning pitcher in the All-Star Game that year.

Maya first joined the Cuban national team for the 2005 Baseball World Cup, striking out 11 in 7 1/3 IP and getting a save (against the host Dutch national team), allowing 3 runs (1 earned). Maya became a full-time starting pitcher for the only time in 2005-2006, with a 7-9, 3.79 record.

In the 2006 World Baseball Classic, he allowed 4 hits and 2 walks in 3 innings but did not give up a run. He got the win over the Panamanian national team. In the 2006 COPABE qualifiers for the 2008 Olympics, Yuniesky had a 4.35 ERA and struck out 12 in 10 1/3 IP. During the 2006 Intercontinental Cup, the right-hander allowed two runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Maya was 6-3 with 13 saves and a 1.40 ERA in the 2006-2007 Serie Nacional, allowing 66 hits in 90 innings. He tied Jonder Martinez for second in the league in ERA, behind Ciro Licea. He was also third in saves.

Maya gave up one run in 1 2/3 IP in the 2007 Pan American Games. In the 2007 Baseball World Cup, he whiffed seven in 4 scoreless innings against the South Korean national team and Dutch national team. He had a 6-8, 8 save, 3.30 record for Pinar del Río in 2007-2008 as they made it to the finals before losing to Santiago de Cuba. He was originally on Cuba's roster for the 2008 Olympics but was replaced by Miguel Lahera shortly before the Games began.

Maya's repertoire includes a fastball (which peaks at 90 mph), curveball, changeup and slider.