Cuban outfielder reported to camp early yesterday with the Estrellas Orientales of the Dominican Winter League yesterday in hopes of getting an early start in the team’s training regiment. The talented Cuban signed with the ballclub on August 4th and is expected to play there all season long.
Puig saw the action last season in the Korean Baseball Organization with the Kiwoom Heroes. In 126 games with the team he hit .277 with 21 longballs, 73 runs batted in and slashed .368/.474/.841. The Cuban last played in the Dominican circuit in 2021 with the Toros del Este batting .231 in five games. When he is at the top of his game Puig is a bonified five tool player.
During his seven seasons in the big leagues with Cincinnati, Cleveland and the Dodgers the slugger hit .277 with 132 roundtrippers, 415 RBIs, 79 stolen bases and slashed.348/.474/ .823. Puig also exhibited great defensive prowess and was known for having one of the best arms in the game.
At the age of 32 Puig is in his prime and his incursion in the league is more than likely a place to showcase the native of Cienfuegos, Cuba’s talents for MLB, Mexican or Asian League clubs for the 2024 season. With a great performance in the toughest Caribbean league could open a lot of doors for the player in the summer. Puig is represented by Leona Sports. His stablemates at the company Dairon Blanco and Julio Robaina will also play for Las Estrellas.
Yasiel Puig llegó ayer a RD y este jueves (hoy) fue a hacer prácticas de bateo en el Estadio Tetelo Vargas. Nuestro equipo comenzará formalmente sus prácticas el próximo lunes (9:00 a.m., en nuestra casa. pic.twitter.com/Z1ZDHgoNYU
— EOBASEBALLCLUB (@EOBASEBALLCLUB) September 21, 2023
Cubans who play in the Winter Leagues this season:
LIDOM:
Yunesky Maya RHP (Águilas)
Rangel Ravelo IF-OF (Águilas)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Águilas)
César Prieto IF (Águilas)
Ariel Miranda LHP (Águilas)
Andrew Suárez 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)
Elían Leyva RHP (Hermosillo)
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