As training camps start up in the winter league circuit a couple of key signings were revealed by various clubs in the Caribbean. A record number of Cubans will be playing in the offseason leagues this year, over 40 if we actually count.
Yanquiel Fernández, a top prospect in the Colorado Rockies farm system will play with the Leones de Ponce, while Jesús Balaguer will pitch in Venezuela this year with the Bravos de Margarita, Ronald Bolaños was announced yesterday day Cañeros de Los Mochis and lastly Diosbel Arias will play for los Toros del Este in the Dominican Winter League.
Fernández who is the #2 prospect in the Rockies’ farm system has drawn comparisons to Yordan Álvarez. The slugger hit .265 with 25 homeruns and 92 runs batted in between A-AA last season. The 20-year-old will be making his winter league debut.
El jardinero de los @Rockies Yanquiel Fernández jugará con @LeonesLBPRC de la @LBPRC este invierno.#pelotacubana #LBPRC pic.twitter.com/3fOTTVGaAd
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) October 12, 2023
Diosbel Arias is very close to making his MLB debut with the Texas Rangers. In 100 games in Round Rock (AAA) the infielder hit .286 with six homeruns, 61 RBIs and slashed .361/.422/.783. Arias will go to the LIDOM to prepare himself to fight for a job this spring training.
Balaguer pitched last winter in the LVBP with the Caribes de Anzoátegui and in 23⅔ innings posted a record of 2-1, ERA of 3.80 and saved a game. The right-hander from Havana also fanned 27 batters over that span. The Cuban figures to be a key cog in the Bravos bullpen.
Bolaños had signed with the Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Winter League, but that fell through and he ended up coming to an agreement with the Caribes de Anzoategui of the Venezuelan League and then was released by the ballclub, he will finally play in México. Last winter Bolaños pitched in the LIDOM with the Toros del Este and in 10 starts posted a 3-4 mark to go along with a decent 3.53 ERA.
Fuentes: El lanzador habanero Jesús Balaguer firma con los @labarrabrava de la @LVBP_Oficial .#peñotacubana #LVBP pic.twitter.com/cXp9ksK1TA
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) October 12, 2023
Cubans in the Winter Leagues this season:
LIDOM:
Yunesky Maya RHP (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)
Río Gómez LHP (Estrellas)*
Raúl Valdés LHP (Toros)
Darién Núñez LHP (Toros)
Julio Pablo Martínez OF (Toros)
Oscar Luis Colás IF-OF (Toros)
Diosbel Arias IF (Toros)
Henry Urrutia 1B-DH (Gigantes)
Yosver Zulueta RHP (Leones)
Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico:
Yasmany Tomás 1B-DH (Los Mochis)
Dany Oramas OF (Los Mochis)***
Daysbel Hernández RHP (Los Mochis)***
Ronald Bolaños 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)
José Miguel Fernández 1B-DH (Ciudad Obregón)
Elían Leyva RHP (Hermosillo)
LBPRC:
Pedro Echemendia RHP (Ponce)
JC Escarra C,IF,OF (Ponce)*(**)
Yanquiel Fernández OF (Ponce)
Lázaro Estrada RHP (Santurce)
Orlando Martínez OF (Santurce)
Félix Stevens IF (Carolina)
LVBP:
Edgar Escobar RHP (Caribes)
Yoel Yanqui IF (Cardenales)
Jesús Balaguer RHP (Bravos)
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