Vladimir Baños

Vladimir Baños Chacón
(Guayacón)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 157 lb.

• Born January 17, 1983 in Pinar del Río Cuba

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Vladimir Baños has pitched for the Cuban national team.

Baños debuted with Pinar del Rio in the 2002-2003 Serie Nacional and was 27-22 through 2006. He pitched for Cuba in the 2006 World University Championship. He debuted with the senior national team in the 2006 Intercontinental Cup and put on an excellent show. In 9 innings, he allowed only 2 hits and no walks or runs while striking out eight. He tied Adam Blackley, David Bergman and Michiel van Kampen for the best ERA of the event. Sandy Patrone beat him out for the tournament All-Star team.

Baños had a breakout year in the 2006-2007 Serie Nacional, going 9-3 with a 2.06 ERA. He lost both of his playoff games but ranked among the regular season leaders in ERA (9th) and winning percentage (tied for 5th).

Through 2006-2007, he was 36-25 with a 3.50 ERA in Cuban league play.

He was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in the 2007 World Port Tournament. In the 2007 Baseball World Cup, Vladimir was 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA. He struck out 16 and walked one in 14 1/3 IP while allowing 8 hits. He benefited from pitching against the two worst teams in Pool B - Germany and Thailand. His only relief appearance came in the Gold Medal game against Team USA, when he threw the final 1 2/3 innings without allowing a hit or a walk in a loss.

Baños fell badly in the 2007-2008 season, going 6-6 with a 5.69 ERA. He allowed a .334 batting average. He still got the call in game 7 of the western league championship series and pitched well as Pinar del Rio made it to the finals against highly-favored Santiago de Cuba, who beat them handily. He rebounded in 2008-2009 by going 9-4 with a 4.13 ERA.

He was 4-6 with a 3.74 ERA in 2009-2010. He tied Maikel Folch, Richard Aguilera and Osmel Cintra for the league lead with two shutouts. On December 23, 2010, he threw the 51st no-hitter in Cuban history (post-1962), shutting down Matanzas. He walked none and only an error by his shortstop kept him from a perfect game.

He throws a fastball (around 90 mph), slider, sinker and curveball.

Sources:

• 2007 WPT stats
• Defunct IBAF site
• http://www.radiococo.cu/cocobeisbol/serie%20nacional/fichas/pri/pribanos.htm (Defunct)
• Beisbol Cubano
• Baseballdecuba.com