The reserves and the pitchers were announced today for the mid-summer classic and a total of 11 players of Cuban heritage will be on All-Star Rosters. In the American League Cuban born Yennier Canó, Randy Arozarena, Yandy Díaz, Luis Robert, Yordan Álvarez and Adolis García will be on the squad’s roster.
While in the senior circuit Cuban-Americans Nolan Arenado, J.D. Martínez and Nick Castellanos will be on the team, while Sancti Spíritus, Cuba native Lourdes Gurriel Jr makes his first All-Star Game and Jorge Soler of the Marlins will join the youngest of the Gurriel clan in Seattle. The eight Cuban-born players breaks the record of six players set in 1968.
Díaz is having a career year this season in Tampa. The native of Villa Clara, Cuba is hitting a robust .319 with 12 longballs and 39 runs batted in, but the most eye catching stat here is his .404/.513/.917 slash line and 2.6 WAR. This will be Diaz’s his first trip to the mid-summer classic. Yennier Canó who has been one of the most dominant relievers in the game this season is a worthy recipient of a spot on this roster. In 40 ⅓ innings pitched he has struck out 37, has an ERA of 1.12 and a 0.84 WHIP. He is also second in the league with 18 holds.
Your pitchers and reserves for the American League in the #AllStarGame! pic.twitter.com/eRu6YhueWO
— MLB (@MLB) July 2, 2023
Randy Arozarena (.286,15HR, 57RBI) is one the most dynamic players in today’s game. The outfielder sports a sparkling .397 OBP and has stolen nine bases. Arozarena slow but surely has become the face of the Tampa Bay Rays. This will also be the Cuban’s first trip to the All-Star Game. Luis Robert who leads all Cubans with 24 longballs will also earned a spot on the roster.
Adolis García (.261,20HR, 67RBI) and Yordan Álvarez (.277,17HR 55RBI) give Cuba some more very talented bats on the AL’s squad . In García’s case he is the pure slugger of the bunch and is even tied for the league lead in runs batted in with 67, while Álvarez is the best pure hitter of the duo. Both outfielders make their second All-Star appearance.
Nolan Arenado (.278,16HR,54RBI) has been a fixture in the All-Star Game for the last ten years and this season is no different for the native of California. Since May 3 he’s slashing .299/.348/.599 and has gone yard 14 times. J.D. Martínez (.259,19HR,55RBI) has arguably been the best DH in the National League and has resurrected a career that looked dead coming into the season. The native of Miami is second in the National League with a .563 slugging percentage.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr (.270,13HR,49RBIs) has been a key cog in Arizona’s surprising season. The youngest of the Gurriel clan is also one of the best defensive left fielders in the game. Out of his 76 hits 31 of them have been for extra bases. Another slugger that made a comeback this season was Jorge Soler in Miami. The outfielder leads the fish in roundtrippers (22) and RBIs (47). He also has marvelous .853 OPS on the campaign.
In the case of Nick Castellanos he has been a bright spot in a so far disappointing Phillies’ season. The league leader in doubles the last five seasons is second in the National League with 26 this season and has also gone yard 12 times. His .316 average leaves him third in the NL in that category. The miamian will also make his second appearance in the contest.
Your pitchers and reserves for the National League in the #AllStarGame! pic.twitter.com/iTEEss99iX
— MLB (@MLB) July 2, 2023