With the Mexican Winter League commencing their training camps this week a couple of Cubans have reported to camp with desire to perform at their highest level and attract the eyes of Asian League teams. Miguel Romero reported to the Tomateros de Culiacán, while Yasmany Tomás has reported to the Cañeros de Los Mochis.
The Cuban slugger is reigning the MVP in the Mexican Winter League after hitting .328 with 10 homeruns, 57 RBIs and slashing .383/.510/.893. The ex-big leaguer returned to Cuba and the Serie Nacional for the playoffs this summer after not being able to secure a contract in either México or Asia. During his five Series Nacionales with Havana’s Industriales he hit .290 with 39 homeruns and 151 RBIs. The first baseman announced his interest in playing with Cuba in this year’s World Baseball Classic, but was snubbed by the island for the event.
Tomás played in the major leagues for four years with the Arizona Diamondbacks hitting .266 with 48 with 163 runs batted in, this includes a career year in 2016 when he hit 31 homeruns, swatted 30 doubles and knocked in 83 runs.
Last winter Romero in the opinion of many was the most dominant relievers in the LBPRC. In 11.2 innings pitched during the campaign, the Cuban flamethrower did not allow an earned run for the Gigantes de Carolina and served up 11 strikeouts, while also saving a game.
The 29-year-old also has the potential to unleash a 100-mph fastball. With the inclusion of Romero in the World Classic Classic, Cuba had a one of strongest bullpens in the event and it showed as it reached the semifinals of the tournament for the second time in its history. The hurler was the anchor of the Cuba’s pitching staff leading the WBC in wins (2), strikeouts (13) and placed in top three in ERA (2.08) en route to all-tournament honors.
El derecho Miguel Romero ya esta con los @clubtomateros y ayer hizo una sesión de bullpen para comenzar sus entrenamientos en la @Liga_Arco .#pelotacubana #LigaARCO pic.twitter.com/fwIZ2lwKwU
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) October 3, 2023
Cubans in the Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico this winter:
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)
*Cuban-American
** Will play with Guasave until November, after November will join Ponce.
*** invited to preseason camp