Vladimir Gutierrez is a 31-year-old Cuban right-hander born in Havana on September 18, 1995. He made his mark in the big leagues and has remained a fixture in Caribbean winter ball ever since. His MLB debut came on May 28, 2021, with the Cincinnati Reds — and he didn’t just show up: he posted 9 wins and 88 strikeouts as a rookie. Today he’s with the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Republic, fighting to earn another shot at the majors.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Vladimir Gutierrez
- Position: Starting Pitcher
- Current team: Tigres del Licey (LIDOM, 2026-27)
- Number: 53
- Bats / Throws: Right / Right
- Height / Weight: 6’1″ / 205 lb
- Born: September 18, 1995 — Havana, Cuba 🇨🇺
- MLB debut: May 28, 2021
Background
Gutierrez came up through Cuba’s development system before making the jump to professional baseball internationally. The Reds called him up in 2021 to bolster their rotation, and he held his own — posting a 4.74 ERA over 114.0 innings that first season. For a rookie finding his footing in the big leagues, that’s a legitimate foundation to build on.
Professional Career
Gutierrez’s MLB path has been a story of highs and hard lessons. His 2021 rookie campaign with Cincinnati was promising — 9 wins, 88 strikeouts, a 4.74 ERA — but 2022 was a different story. His ERA ballooned to 7.61 in 36.2 innings, going 1-6, and his roster time dried up fast. In 2024, the Miami Marlins gave him a look, but he threw just 4.0 innings with a 6.75 ERA and 4 strikeouts before the opportunity faded.
With MLB time scarce, Gutierrez has leaned into winter ball to stay sharp and stay relevant.
MLB Stats
- 2021 — Cincinnati Reds: 9-6, 4.74 ERA, 88 K, 1.41 WHIP, 114.0 IP
- 2022 — Cincinnati Reds: 1-6, 7.61 ERA, 29 K, 1.91 WHIP, 36.2 IP
- 2024 — Miami Marlins: 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 4 K, 1.25 WHIP, 4.0 IP
Winter Ball
Away from the pressure of a 162-game schedule, Gutierrez has shown he still has plenty left in the tank. With the Águilas Cibaeñas in 2024-25, he put together a solid line: 4.23 ERA, 40 strikeouts in 44.2 innings. He followed that up with the Yaquis de Obregón in 2025-26, where he improved to a 3.97 ERA in 22.2 innings. Now with Licey in 2026-27, he’s working to build on those numbers and remind scouts what he can do.
Winter Ball Stats
- 2026-27 — Tigres del Licey (LIDOM): 0-1, 5.00 ERA, 11 K, 9.0 IP
- 2025-26 — Yaquis de Obregón (LMP): 1-3, 3.97 ERA, 16 K, 22.2 IP
- 2024-25 — Águilas Cibaeñas (LIDOM): 3-3, 4.23 ERA, 40 K, 44.2 IP
- 2020-21 — Tigres del Licey (LIDOM): 1-2, 3.71 ERA, 21 K, 17.0 IP
What Keeps Him Going
Despite the rough patches in the majors, Gutierrez hasn’t stopped competing. His consistent presence in Caribbean winter leagues — especially LIDOM — says everything about his mentality. Every winter season is another audition, another chance to show an organization he belongs on a big-league roster. The arm is still live. The question is whether someone gives him the innings to prove it.
