Once again Raúl Valdés will make an Opening Day start for the Toros del Este in the LIDOM. The lefty from Mariel, Cuba has been arguably the most dominant pitcher in the Dominican circuit over the last decade. Over that span the southpaw has won over 50 games and has 3.04 earned run average.
At 46 years of age Valdes is entering uncharted waters for a pitcher in the most competitive tournament amongst the winter leagues. The lefty has also struck out 623 batters in 810 ⅔ innings. The hurler looks to pace the Toros to a victory in their Opening Day matchup with the Estrellas Orientales.
In other news right-hander Pablo Guillen signed with the Navegantes de Magallanes in the LVBP for the winter. The 25-year-old last pitched in the league in 2020 with the Tigres de Aragua posting 2.70 in three starts with the ballclub.
Guillen pitched in the European Baseball Championship leading Spain to a title. During the tournament the righty had a 2-0 record and a 1.80 ERA, he also hurled a gem against Great Britain in the championship game helping the Spaniards secure the title.
Uyyyyyy aquí la Rotación oficial para nuestros primeros cuatro partidos. #TorolioReloaded 🔥 pic.twitter.com/fNcJYZwrf1
— Toros Del Este (@TorosdelEste) October 18, 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)
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)
Pablo Guillen RHP (Magallanes)
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.