After possibly the grandest season by Cubans in MLB, the postseason accolades keep on rolling in. After having plenty of Antilleans nominated for the Silver Slugger and Adolis García winning a Gold Glove, a total of 11 Cubans have been nominated as finalists for the All-MLB team.
AL Batting Champion Yandy Díaz (.330,22HR,78RBIs) is amongst the finalists at first base for the All-MLB squad. While three Antilleans, Randy Arozarena (23HR,83RBIs), Luis Robert ( 38HR,36(2B) and Adolis García (38 HR,107RBIs,.508 SLG) made the cut in the AL outfield.
Yordan Álvarez, who is arguably the most complete hitter to leave Cuba in the last two decades will be a finalist for All-MLB honors as a designated hitter. The giant from Las Tunas, Cuba hit .293 with 31 homers and 97 RBIs in only 114 games this season. The slugger also slashed a robust .407/.583/.990.
Cuban-American Nolan Arenado (.266,26HR,93RBIs) was also nominated his sixth Silver Slugger at third base, while another Cuban-American J.D. Martínez (.271,33HR,103RBIs) had an outstanding season at DH and made his the sixth All-Star Game of his career.
Los cubanos nominados para el todos estrellas de @MLB .#pelotacubana #MLB #todosestrellas pic.twitter.com/1B3kenTBZT
— Yusseff305 🇨🇺🇺🇲 (@yusseff305) November 9, 2023
Last but not least is Jorge Soler to round out the list amongst the hitters. The designated hitter was an impact bat for the Miami Marlins and a key player in their qualification for this year’s postseason. The slugger swatted 38 longballs and posted a .512 slugging percentage. The part-time outfielder also garnered the first All-Star selection of his 10-year career this season.
Aroldis Chapman, who is the best Cuban closer of all-time had a solid comeback this season. During campaign the hard-throwing lefty won six games, saved six games and posted a 3.09 earned run average. The native of Holguín, Cuba also fanned 103 batters in 58 ⅓ innings. Chapman also posted 20 holds in 2023. At 35 years of age the southpaw can still throw 100-mph fastball and could serve as a closer for plenty of teams next season.
Raisel Iglesias has been one of the most dominant closer in the majors notching the fourth 30 save season of career. Iglesias was especially unhittable after the All-Star break posting a 1.84 ERA and saving 17 games. Iglesias also fanned 68 batters in 52 ⅔ innings. Yennier Cano in his first full season in the league was second in holds, saved eight games and struck out 65 in 72 ⅔ innings pitched.
List of nominees for All-MLB:
1B: Yandy Díaz
3B: Nolan Arenado*
DH: Yordan Álvarez, J.D. Martínez*,Jorge Soler
OF: Randy Arozarena,Adolis García, Luis Robert
RP: Aroldis Chapman, Yennier Cano, Raisel Iglesias
*Cuban-American