Agent: Cuban baseball player who defected after World Baseball Classic signs contract

Cuban baseball player defects as team prepared to leave South Florida

MIAMI ā€“ An agency that represents Major League Baseball players says its has signed a contract with the Cuban baseball player who defected shortly after the World Baseball Classic in March.

According to an Instragram post by Leona Sports on Thursday, Ivan Prieto signed with the company after reaching out to them.

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According to the companyā€™s website, the agency has a strong focus on the Latino baseball player. It was founded by the first Cuban-American MLBPA Certified Agent Lisette Carnet.

Prieto defected after the Cuban national team played in the World Baseball Classic in Miami.

Earlier this month, a woman who said she is the first cousin of Prieto told Local 10 News he is with his brother and for now, they are staying with friends outside of South Florida.

Prieto is the only player believed to have defected.

The Cuban government has yet to respond to reports of Prietoā€™s defection.

This is a developing story.


About the Authors

Veronica Crespo writes for Local10.com and also oversees the EspaƱol section of the website. Born and raised in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami, where she studied broadcast journalism and Spanish.

Roy Ramos joined the Local 10 News team in 2018. Roy is a South Florida native who grew up in Florida City. He attended Christopher Columbus High School,Ā Homestead Senior HighĀ School and graduated from St. Thomas University.

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