The Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) have signed 26-year-old Cuban American outfielder Ruben Cardenas to a one-year contract worth $477,000.
Cardenas’s signing follows the release of David MacKinnon on July 9, 2024. Despite MacKinnon’s All-Star selection and .294 batting average, his power was limited to just four home runs. The team hopes Cardenas will provide a significant power boost to their lineup.
Cardenas had a productive 2024 season, playing for the Triple-A affiliates of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays. In 75 games, he had a slash line of .277/.345/.550 and hit 20 home runs, showcasing his power at the plate.
In his last games with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs from July 3rd to 6th, Cardenas went 5-20 at the plate, hitting a double, two home runs, and driving in five RBIs in five games.
Cardenas joins the Lions alongside Connor Seabold, both alumni of California State University, Fullerton. Seabold was drafted in 2017 by the Philadelphia Phillies, while Cardenas was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in 2018.
With a proven track record in Triple-A, Cardenas is now headed to Daegu, South Korea, aiming to make an impact with the Samsung Lions.