Luis Aviles Jr. talks with Cuban Baseball Digest about his time in Mexico, his role with Fepcube, and what it means to him to represent and play for the team. Aviles Jr. has experience with the Brewers, Angels, Marlins, Padres, and Astros organizations. He also has international experience playing in Australia and the Mexican and Venezuelan Winter leagues.
His professional career began in 2013 with the Brewers, and in 2023, he played for Double-A Corpus Christi of the Houston Astros. Aviles Jr. quickly made an impact with the Hooks, winning player of the week honors after his first 5 games. In that stretch, he hit .368 with 5 home runs and 11 RBIs. In 72 games with the Hooks, he slashed .265/.330/.478 with 13 home runs, 14 doubles, and 39 RBI. This winter, he played 16 games for the Yaquis de Obregón in Mexico and hit .241 with 3 doubles, 9 RBI, and 4 stolen bases. Aviles Jr. can use his experience from various leagues to help FEPCUBE’s Dream Team.
Luis what’s your role on this ball club?
My role right now, is coming in and trying to help the team. You know, accomplish whatever they need me to do over here. If they need me in the infield, if they need me in the outfield whatever it is.
Being from the exile community, born in Cuba raised in the here (USA), how does it make you feel wearing the colors of Fepcube?
I feel it’s a special thing, being born in Cuba, being a Cuban American. Being able to represent and put this uniform, with this opportunity. I feel it’s a great opportunity, I wasn’t willing to pass on and I’m grateful for the opportunity, and here we are.
Being in various organizations, how has that helped you for the level of play in this tournament?
I feel for my career, I feel that I’m prepared. We have some big names, people have played in the big leagues, I feel like I’m prepared to come out here and perform and play at the level this team is at.
How did your time in Mexico, this year in the winter Leagues help you come in game shape for this training and the future tournament.
I feel that is was a good opportunity, being able to be in Mexico going out there being able to play for a month. I feel that it prepared me. I’m in good shape right now. I took a few days off with the family but I’m back to training, that’s why I came a whole week early so I can get back into full shape and be ready to go as soon as the tournament starts.