The MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects list showcases three Cuban players—Lázaro Montes, Edgar Quero, and Yanquiel Fernández—who have made notable progress within their organizations. Their performances highlight the impact of Cuban talent in professional baseball.
Lázaro Montes: Power and Potential
Seattle outfielder Lázaro Montes, 19, recently earned Northwest League Player of the Week honors for his outstanding play with the Everett AquaSox, the Mariners’ High-A affiliate. During the week of August 12-18, Montes posted a league-leading .526 batting average, along with two doubles, two home runs, and a 1.562 OPS, driving in seven runs across six games.
Ranked 48th on the Top 100 list, Montes is known for his power and athleticism, making him a top prospect in the Mariners’ system. Signed out of Cuba in the 2021-22 international class, he has steadily advanced through the Mariners’ system. In 2023, Montes played for the ACL Mariners before moving up to the Modesto Nuts (Single-A), where he hit .321 with seven home runs and a .994 OPS in 33 games.
He started 2024 with Modesto before being promoted to Everett after 65 games, posting a .309 average with 13 home runs and a .938 OPS. Although his performance with the AquaSox has varied, his recent Player of the Week accolade underscores his ability to adapt. Montes is currently hitting .265 with six doubles, four home runs, and a .749 OPS in 39 games.
Edgar Quero: Strength Behind the Plate
Catcher Edgar Quero, 21, is ranked 63rd on the Top 100 list and is with the Chicago White Sox organization. Acquired in a 2023 trade with the Los Angeles Angels, Quero has quickly moved up the minor league ranks.
Known for his offensive capabilities as a catcher, Quero began the season with Double-A Birmingham, where he hit .275 with 12 home runs, 12 doubles, 53 RBIs, and an .823 OPS in 72 games. After a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he has improved to a .313 average and a .914 OPS in 23 games. From August 3rd to 10th, Quero recorded three three-hit games.
Yanquiel Fernández: A Powerful Bat in the Rockies’ System
Outfielder Yanquiel Fernández, ranked 96th on the Top 100 list, plays in the Colorado Rockies organization and is recognized for his power-hitting potential. Signed in 2019, Fernández has progressed from Single-A to Triple-A since the start of 2023.
In 2023, Fernández had an impressive season, batting .265 with 25 home runs and 92 RBIs across three levels. In 2024, after 89 games in Double-A, where he hit .283 with a .778 OPS, 17 doubles, 10 home runs, and 46 RBIs, he was promoted to Triple-A. Fernández has shown continued progress, with hits in his last three games and in six of his last 10 games, including three doubles. He is currently ranked 5th in the Rockies’ system.
The inclusion of Lázaro Montes, Edgar Quero, and Yanquiel Fernández in the MLB Pipeline Top 100 list reflects their significant potential and the growing influence of Cuban players in Major League Baseball. As they advance in their careers, these players will be closely monitored as they work towards making their mark at the highest level.