By Will Weissert. .c The Associated Press
GUATEMALA CITY, 14 (AP) - Wearing a pinstriped Havana Industriales uniform, Adrian ``El Duquecito'' Hernandez showcased his 93 mph fastball, a knuckleball and an accomplished curve for scouts from 20 teams Tuesday night.
``I'm not nervous. This is what I came here to do, this is what I've worked for,'' said the 25-year-old right-hander, who was one of Cuba's top pitchers before he defected Jan. 2. ``I want them to see what I can do.''
Arriving dressed head-to-toe in a hooded, white sweatsuit, Hernandez's entrance at the ballpark Tuesday conjured up images of a heavyweight boxer headed for the ring, flanked by an entourage of coaches, ballplayers and TV cameras.
After shedding the sweats, Hernandez put on an efficient 90-minute workout complete with an umpire, batters and breaks between imaginary innings.
From the modest grandstands surrounding one of only two full-size diamonds in Guatemala City, scouts from the four teams in last year's league championship series - the New York Yankees and Mets, Boston and Atlanta - joined representatives from teams hoping to be that good this year, timing
pitches with stop watches and jotting notes.
``He has potential,'' said Milwaukee Brewers scout Epy Guerrero, who came from the Dominican Republic. ``I would say that at this moment he's got a lot of potential.''
Hernandez is not relation to Yankees pitcher Orlando ``El Duque'' Hernandez. He was given the nickname ``Duquecito'' or ``Little Duque,'' in Havana because of his similar high-kicking windup.
``He's similar to El Duque. He's got different angles and different arm speed, but the similarities are there,'' said Don Welke, a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers. ``He's also got some good deception in his arm speed which could be very tough on right-handed hitters.''
Cuban players who defect routinely go to Caribbean and Central American nations. If they went to the United States, they would be subject to the amateur draft instead of becoming free agents.
Hernandez's manager and girlfriend, Michelle Aguirre, said she will accepts offers until March 20.
``We expect the phone to start ringing tomorrow,'' Aguirre said.
AP-NY-03-14-00 2222EST
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