Toronto Blue Jays right-hander will not participate in 2026 World Baseball Classic
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Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect Silvano Hechavarria will not be competing in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
MLB insider Frances Romero reported that Hechavarria has been left off Team Cuba’s projected roster for the tournament.
According to Romero, the 22-year-old is prioritizing a strong Toronto Blue Jays Spring Training.
Blue Jays pitching prospect, RHP Silvano Hechavarria, will not be part of Cuba’s roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, per sources. The 22-year-old is focusing on having a strong Spring Training and is not yet cleared to pitch in games.
Hechavarria enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2025
He opened the season with the Florida Complex League Blue Jays, who went on to win the championship, and posted a 2.12 ERA with a 4.80 FIP across 17 innings.
He made three starts over four appearances at the level.
That performance earned him a promotion to Single-A Dunedin, where he continued to impress.
Across 47.1 innings pitched—seven starts in 11 outings—Hechavarria recorded a 1.90 ERA and a 3.16 FIP, along with a strong 28.5% strikeout rate and a 5.9% walk rate.
In August, the 6-foot-4, 200-pound right-hander moved up to High-A Vancouver and quickly found his footing.
Over 22.1 innings, he posted a 3.22 ERA and 3.43 FIP, striking out 20.7% of batters while walking 8.7%.
His final start of the season came when he earned his third win at the level.
Romero also noted that Hechavarria will start the 2026 season in Double-A New Hampshire.
He is expected to start 2025 season in Double-A.
Hechavarria was ranked as the Blue Jays’ 26th-best prospect by MLB Pipeline.
His standout offering is an upper-80s slider that complements a mid-90s fastball capable of touching 97 mph.
He also mixes in a developing changeup that still needs refinement, but his above-average command has allowed him to thrive throughout the lower minors.
He is expected to begin the 2026 season back in Double-A, though a rapid ascent—potentially reaching Triple-A by season’s end—is within reach.
The ceiling remains high for the 22-year-old right-hander.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 29|31 ANSWERS Toronto Blue Jays right-hander will not participate in 2026 World Baseball Classic Do you think Blue Jays pitching prospect Silvano Hechavarria will reach Triple-A Buffalo in 2026? | ||
| Yes | 20 | 64.5 % |
| No | 7 | 22.6 % |
| Too early to tell | 4 | 12.9 % |
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