The number of Cubans playing in the winter leagues is at all-time high especially in the Dominican League. A total of 15 antilleans will be playing in arguably the most talented league in the Caribbean this winter. In total over 30 players will play with winter clubs this offseason.
Yesterday the Toros del Este announced the signing of heralded prospect Whitesox’ s Oscar Colás. The native of Santiago de Cuba made his major league debut on the Southside of Chicago this year and 75 games with the pale holes is hitting .216 with five roundtrippers. Colás looks to work on a few things this winter in hopes of being the superstar he was pegged to be when signed in by the team in 2022.
Oscar Colás estará con los Toros del Este de la #LIDOM esta temporada, según informó @francysromeroFR . Con el arribo de Colás el total de cubanos asciende a 15 para esta campaña
Con los @TorosdelEste ya se encuentran JP Martínez, Darien Núñez y Raúl Valdés#pelotacubana #LIDOM pic.twitter.com/AVK1mT9frC
— Ariel Santa Cruz (@ArielSCPE) September 14, 2023
While the Gigantes del Cibao announced a few days ago that the reigning LIDOM batting champion Henry Urrutia would return to the ballclub. The left-handed slugger was a key part of Saltillo’s offense in the Mexican League this season slashing .291/.334/.496/.830, going yard 18 times and knocking in 60 runs. Urrutia looks to be the leader of a potent of for the team from San Francisco de Macoris.
In Puerto Rico Santurce let it be known that Cuban outfielder and Angels farmhand Orlando Martínez would be joining their team. In 110 games this year between AA-AAA Martínez is hitting .264 with 11 longballs, 64 runs batted in and eight stolen bases. Martínez looks to get in some work in the circuit in preparation for Spring Training, where he looks to battle for a major league job in 2024 with Los Angeles.
El jardinero Orlando Martínez de los @Angels jugará este invierno con @SanturceLBPRC .#pelotacubana #LBPRC pic.twitter.com/SIAcEzPyCH
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) September 14, 2023
Cuban signings in the Winter Leagues:
LIDOM:
Yunesky Maya RHP (Águilas)
Rangel Ravelo IF-OF (Águilas)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Águilas)
César Prieto IF (Águilas)
Ariel Miranda LHP (Águilas)
Dairon Blanco OF (Estrellas)
Yasiel Puig OF (Estrellas)
Roel Santos OF (Estrellas)
José Barrero IF-OF (Estrellas)
Julio Robaina LHP (Estrellas)
Raúl Valdés LHP (Toros)
Darién Núñez LHP (Toros)
Julio Pablo Martínez OF (Toros)
Oscar Luis Colás IF-OF (Toros)
Henry Urrutia 1B-DH (Gigantes)
Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico:
Yasmany Tomás 1B-DH (Los Mochis)
Dany Oramas OF (Los Mochis)***
Daysbel Hernández RHP (Los Mochis)***
Albert Lara IF-OF (Navojoa)
Dariel Álvarez OF (Culiacán)
Miguel Romero RHP (Culiacán)
Peter O’Brien OF-1B (Culiacán) *
Félix Pérez OF-1B (Jalisco)
Yoennis Yera LHP (Jalisco)
Lázaro Blanco RHP (Mazatlán)
Yurisbel Gracial IF-OF (Mazatlán)***
Yoelkis Guibert OF (Guasave)
Yadir Drake OF-1B (Guasave)
JC Escarra C,OF,1B (Guasave)* (**)
Yoanys Quiala RHP (Monterrey)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP ( Ciudad Obregón)
LBPRC:
Pedro Echemendia RHP (Ponce)
JC Escarra C,IF,OF (Ponce)*(**)
Lázaro Estrada RHP (Santurce)
Orlando Martínez OF (Santurce)
LVBP:
Edgar Escobar RHP (Caribes)
LBPN:
Lorenzo Quintana C (Tigres de Chinandega)
Rubi Silva IF-OF (Tigres de Chinandega)
Dayán García INF (Tigres de Chinandega)
José Ramón Rodríguez (Tigres de Chinandega)
Alay Lago INF (Tren del Norte)
Yoanner Negrín RHP (Leones de León)
Robert Roilan Portuondo RHP (Gigantes de Rivas)
*Cuban-American
** Will play with Guasave until November, after November will join Ponce.
*** invited to preseason camp