The World Baseball Classic is not just a celebration of the global love for the game. It can also be a pathway to achieving your wildest dreams.
That’s the reality for Duque Hebbert. The right-handed pitcher for Nicaragua came in for the ninth inning of a losing effort against the Dominican Republic, one of the favorites, and he wasted little time in an opportunity against a lineup filled with MLB stars.
He gave up one hit in the frame but issued three absolutely filthy strikeouts, which came against none other than a trio of 2022 all-stars in Juan Soto, Rafael Devers and Julio Rodriguez.
Oh, and did I mention the one hit was allowed to Manny Machado?
It appears at least one MLB club took notice of Hebbert’s impressive performance. He met with Detroit Tigers scout Luis Molina after the game who, after a brief conversation, offered him a minor league contract.
Nicaraguan pitcher Duque Hebbert struck out Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez and Rafael Devers in the 9th inning today.
A Tigers scout was there and now Hebbert is signed with the Tigers.
Amazing. 👏 @WBCBaseball pic.twitter.com/lhwWjl7LSh
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) March 13, 2023
The announcement was later made on the bus in front of the entire Nicaraguan team, according to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.
It’s the kind of story that feels tailor-made for Hollywood, and Hebbert’s progress in the minors will be something to watch as the 5-foot-9 21-year-old hopes to complete one of the most unlikely paths to the majors imaginable.
