It was then that Major League scouts took notice of the Cuban pitcher.

Six months ago, two Cuban right-handed pitchers were declared free to sign with any major league club after defecting.

The Cuban pitchers ran sprints, avoided reporters and left after 15 minutes.

Cuban pitchers are also offered refuge--unless they can get a better deal in the Bahamas, of course.

A Miami-based agent has found a way to beat the system, and two Cuban pitchers will be the first to benefit.

In that season he win 15 games and lead all cuban pitchers in base on balls granted with 76.

But their more recent pursuit of a Cuban pitcher has thrown a twist into the proceedings.

Only three Cuban pitchers have thrown more than 200 innings in a single major-league season.

A number of Cuban pitchers who have defected in the last year are represented by Cubas.

The Cuban pitcher, in fact, seemed to have done a whole scouting job on the Orioles himself.