What role did baseball academies play in your career?

When I grew up, thankfully, my parents always, my grandfather, may he rest in peace, always gave me the chance to get a glove, but I wasn't always able to do that, so I would just take hold and make gloves out of cardboard, and we made balls out of tape, to try to relive our childhood.

The Academy was everything for me. That was where I took my first steps in this world of sport. I think that if it hadn't been for that I wouldn't be where I am right now. I left that Academy in my last year, when I was 16, and had the chance to be a part of the Venezuelan National Team. That was when the Angels had a chance to see me pitch a game in Mexico, and they gave me the opportunity to wear their jersey for all of these 10 years.

Yes, I always try to - I'm a baseball player and a very thankful person. I try to - I don't forget where I came from, I know. I know all the sacrifices I had to make and all the people who helped me. That's why I try, in the Academy of Ravelo, I try to make sure that all the kids that go there receive good instruction, and have the basic equipment, like a gloves, balls, and hats, completely free, so they can develop and be the future Venezuelans in the Major Leagues.