This coming spring MLB will count with a record number of players of Cuban heritage on their rosters, 65 to be precise. Some established players will be looking to get in form for the season, while some young players will be looking to break camp with their respective ballclubs.
The most anticipated debut will be that of the Bluejays right-hander Yariel Rodríguez. The pitcher is the highest profile Cuban defection in years and the Canadian ballclub has 32 million reasons to be thankful for this acquisition. Rodriguez is polished product and has a decent chance of starting the season in the big show.
ALCS MVP Adolis García is looking to build off back-to-back 30 HR and 90RBI seasons. The slugger is one of the most feared sluggers and arguably the most toolsy Cubans in the Major Leagues today. Yandy Díaz and Randy Arozarena return to Tampa as one of the top duos in the American League.
Yordan Álvarez taking some swings getting ready for the season.pic.twitter.com/iYYGHJWKc4
— Prospect Dugout (@prospectdugout) February 9, 2024
Cuban-American Nolan Arenado is looking to comeback from a disappointing year by his standards. For the first time in his career the third baseman did not win a gold glove. José Abreu is also looking to bounce back from his worst year statistical in the majors, while Yordan Álvarez is looking to continue as the game’s best pure hitter.
All-Stars Lourdes Gurriel JR of Arizona and Yennier Cano of Baltimore look to have stellar second campaigns. Young players such as César Prieto, Edgar Quero, JC Escarra and Victor Mesa JR look to impress their teams enough to move a step closer to making their debuts on the grand stage. Dairon Blanco who stole 24 bases and had 11 extra-base hits in 69 games with Kansas City last season. The outfielder is looking to establish himself as regular on the Missourian squad.
Catcher @jcescarra signs a minor league contract with the @Yankees that includes an invitation to Spring Training, Escarra is represented by Lisette Carnet and @cperez58 of @LeonaSports.
#CubanBaseballDigest #MLB #RepBX pic.twitter.com/fG4mPL4abO
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) January 12, 2024
Spring training:
40 man roster:
Lourdes Gurriel JR (ARI) OF
Raisel Iglesias (ATL) RHP
Daysbel Hernández (ATL) RHP
JP Martínez (ATL) OF
Yennier Cano (BAL) RHP
Cionel Pérez (BAL) LHP
Triston Casas (BOS) 1B *
Romy González (BOS) Util *
Josimar Cousin (CHW) RHP
Yoan Moncada (CHW) IF
Bryan Ramos (CHW) IF
Luis Robert (CHW) OF
Oscar Colas (CHW) IF-OF
José Barrero (CIN) IF-OF
Nick Martinez (CIN) RHP*
Yanquiel Fernández (COL) OF
Andy Ibáñez (DET) IF
Alex Faedo (DET) RHP
Yordan Álvarez (HOU) OF-DH
José Abreu (HOU) 1B
Lance McCullers Jr. (HOU) RHP *
Dairon Blanco (KC) OF
Victor Mederos (LAA) RHP
Zach Neto (LAA) IF*
Miguel Vargas (LAD) IF
Andy Pages (LAD) OF
Victor Mesa JR (MIA) OF
Nick Fortes C (MIA)*
Néstor Cortés (NYY) LHP
Carlos Rodón (NYY) LHP *
Aledmys Díaz (OAK) IF
Lázaro Armenteros (OAK) OF
Nick Castellanos (PHI) OF *
Aroldis Chapman (PIT) LHP
Johan Oviedo (PIT) RHP
Adrián Morejón (SD) LHP
David Villar (SF) IF
Nolan Arenado (STL) 3B*
Yandy Díaz (TAM) 1B
Randy Arozarena (TAM) OF
Adolis García (TEX) OF
Alek Manoah (TOR) RHP *
Yariel Rodríguez (TOR) RHP
Yosver Zulueta (TOR) RHP
Non-Roster Invitee:
Adrian del Castillo (ARI) C *
Albert Almora (ARI) OF
Andrew Suarez (BAL) LHP*
Eddy Alvarez (BOS) INF *
Edgar Quero (CHW) C
Franco Alemán (CLE) RHP
Raynel Delgado (CLE) IF
Bryan Lavastida (CLE) C*
Coco Montes (COL) SS*
Pedro Leon (HOU) OF
Carlos Espinosa (LAA) LHP
Carlos Rodriguez (MIL) RHP **
Vladimir Gutiérrez (MIA) RHP
Jose Iglesias (NYM) IF
JC Escarra (NYY) C*
Armando Alvarez (OAK) IF*
Aramis García (PHI) C *
Joe Perez (PIT) IF *
Yusniel Díaz (SF) OF
Rangel Ravelo (SEA) IF-OF
César Prieto (STL) IF
Ruben Cardenas (TAM) IF*
*Cuban-American
** Cuban-Nicaraguan