Yunieski Maya
Encyclopedia
Yuniesky Maya Mendizula (born August 28, 1981 in Pinar del Río
, Cuba
) is a right-handed pitcher
for the Washington Nationals
, and formerly of the Cuban national baseball team and Pinar del Río of the Cuban National Series
. He was part of the Cuban team at the 2006
and 2009 World Baseball Classic
.
Maya led the National Series with a 1.61 ERA
in 2004-05
, and followed that up with a 7-9 record and a 3.79 ERA in 2005-06
.
In the 2008-2009 Cuban National Series Season Maya finished with a 13-4 record and seven complete games, and finished second amongst League Leaders in ERA with 2.22 ERA. He was also second in Strikeouts with 119, behind Aroldis Chapman
who had 130 (after the season, Chapman defected and signed with the Cincinnati Reds
). On this performance, Maya won Cuba's equivalent of the Cy Young Award
. During six Cuban National Series seasons, Maya accumulated a record of 48-29 and an ERA of 2.51.
In Summer 2009, Maya was expelled from the Cuban national team; the official newspaper Granma referred to "grave problems of indiscipline", presumably following a failed attempt to leave the country without permission. In September 2009, Maya successfully fled Cuba, following the example of many Cuban baseball players who have launched lucrative professional careers against the will of the Castro government. After living in the Dominican Republic for about nine months, the United States Department of Treasury authorized Maya to sign with a Major League Baseball team.
On July 31, 2010, Maya signed with the Washington Nationals
. Maya zoomed through the Nationals minor league system, making only five starts, before getting the call to the majors when rosters expanded in September. In the minors he started two games for the GCL Nationals; one game for the Potomac Nationals
; and two games for the Syracuse Chiefs, combining for 21-1/3 innings pitched and an overall ERA of 3.38 ERA. He pitched five inning in his first major league start was on September 7, 2010, against the New York Mets
(which also saw the big league debut of Met Dillon Gee
. After a rough start (allowing a three-run homer in the first inning to Ike Davis
), he retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced.
On May 29, 2011, Maya was recalled by the Washington Nationals
to take the rotation spot of Tom Gorzelanny
, who was placed on the disabled list. Collin Balester
was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to make room.
Pinar del Río
Pinar del Río is a city in Cuba. It is the capital of Pinar del Río Province.Inhabitants of the area are called Pinareños.Neighborhoods in the city include La Conchita, La Coloma, Briones Montoto and Las Ovas.-History:...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
) is a right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, and formerly of the Cuban national baseball team and Pinar del Río of the Cuban National Series
Cuban National Series
The Cuban National Series is the primary domestic amateur baseball competition in Cuba. Formed after the dissolution of the Cuban League in the wake of the Cuban Revolution, the Series is a part of the Cuban national baseball system.-League structure:...
. He was part of the Cuban team at the 2006
2006 World Baseball Classic
---------Pool B:-------------Pool C:-------------Pool D:-------------Pool 1:-----------------Pool 2:-------------Finals:-Semifinals:-Final:-Final standings:...
and 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
.
Maya led the National Series with a 1.61 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 2004-05
2004-05 Cuban National Series
The 44th Cuban National Series was won by Santiago de Cuba over Havana. Industriales, who had the best regular season record, were eliminated in the first round by Sancti Spíritus.-Western zone:-Eastern zone:-Playoffs:...
, and followed that up with a 7-9 record and a 3.79 ERA in 2005-06
2005-06 Cuban National Series
The 45th season of the Cuban National Series ended with another title for Industriales. Though the Lions failed to win their division, they won close-fought series throughout the playoffs and won their 11th championship.-West:-East:-Playoffs:...
.
In the 2008-2009 Cuban National Series Season Maya finished with a 13-4 record and seven complete games, and finished second amongst League Leaders in ERA with 2.22 ERA. He was also second in Strikeouts with 119, behind Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman
Albertin Aroldis Chapman de la Cruz is a Cuban-Andorran Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. Chapman bats and throws left-handed. He is listed at 6'4" tall and weighing 195 pounds . He currently holds the record for the fastest recorded pitch speed in Major League Baseball,...
who had 130 (after the season, Chapman defected and signed with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
). On this performance, Maya won Cuba's equivalent of the Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
. During six Cuban National Series seasons, Maya accumulated a record of 48-29 and an ERA of 2.51.
In Summer 2009, Maya was expelled from the Cuban national team; the official newspaper Granma referred to "grave problems of indiscipline", presumably following a failed attempt to leave the country without permission. In September 2009, Maya successfully fled Cuba, following the example of many Cuban baseball players who have launched lucrative professional careers against the will of the Castro government. After living in the Dominican Republic for about nine months, the United States Department of Treasury authorized Maya to sign with a Major League Baseball team.
On July 31, 2010, Maya signed with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
. Maya zoomed through the Nationals minor league system, making only five starts, before getting the call to the majors when rosters expanded in September. In the minors he started two games for the GCL Nationals; one game for the Potomac Nationals
Potomac Nationals
The Potomac Nationals are a Minor League Baseball team located in Woodbridge, Virginia. The Nationals play in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, and are an affiliate of the Washington Nationals.-History:...
; and two games for the Syracuse Chiefs, combining for 21-1/3 innings pitched and an overall ERA of 3.38 ERA. He pitched five inning in his first major league start was on September 7, 2010, against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(which also saw the big league debut of Met Dillon Gee
Dillon Gee
Dillon Kyle Gee is an American professional baseball player. He is a starting pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball.-Early career:...
. After a rough start (allowing a three-run homer in the first inning to Ike Davis
Ike Davis
Isaac Benjamin "Ike" Davis is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the New York Mets. He and his father Ron Davis, who pitched in the majors for 11 years, are the 197th father-son combination to have both played in the major leagues.He led his high school team to three straight Arizona state...
), he retired 11 of the last 12 batters he faced.
On May 29, 2011, Maya was recalled by the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
to take the rotation spot of Tom Gorzelanny
Tom Gorzelanny
Thomas Stephen Gorzelanny is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals.-Personal life:Tom grew up in Chicago, IL, graduating from Marist High School in 2000...
, who was placed on the disabled list. Collin Balester
Collin Balester
Collin Thomas Balester is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball ....
was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse to make room.