Yesterday, Cuban shortstop José “Candelita” Iglesias decided to abandon the Minor League contract that he had agreed to with the San Diego Padres less than a month ago (May 30), according to journalist Mark Feinsand’s Twitter account.
In 28 games with the Padres minor league squad the El Paso Chihuahuas (AAA) he hit .317 with four homeruns and 27 runs batted in, but with an infield that is loaded with talents like Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth, Manny Machado, Roughned and Ha-Seong Kim was quite crowded and his chances of making the majors were next to none.
The native of Mayabeque, Cuba arrived late for Spring Training with the Marlins this season, he did so on the same date as Yuli Gurriel, but he did not receive the same opportunity to earn a starting spot as the first baseman did with the ball club.
Jose Iglesias has opted out of his deal with the Padres, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) June 20, 2023
Iglesias, before getting out of his minor league contract with the Marlins, was in extended spring training and was not called up to the big club when the starting shortstop (Joey Wendle) ended up being placed on the IL April 4th. Instead Garrett Hampson, a player who was a teammate of Iglesias with the Rockies last season, was the infielder chosen by the club to take Wendle’s place on the roster.
In 2022 Iglesias had one his best years at the plate with the Rockies slashing .292/.328/.380/.708, with 128 hits, 30 doubles, three home runs and 47 RBIs. In the majors, Iglesias has 11 of experience experience with six different teams (Boston, Detroit, Baltimore, Reds, Angels and Colorado). He also has swatted over 1,000 hits in MLB (1,051) and presents a very respectable slash line for a shortstop (.279/.319/.382/.701).
We must now wait to see how where if the infielder will end, if he ends up anywhere at all. But with the player’s ability to also play second and third, he might find a spot for him as the utilityman in someone’s infield. The Los Angeles Dodgers were mentioned as a possible destination for the Iglesias.