With the winter league season fast approaching, Cubans are starting to fill rosters for all teams across the Caribbean. The Cuban Baseball Digest has spent the summer breaking signings of various Cuban players. Over 50 Cuban players expect to see action in the LVBP, LIDOM, Liga ARCO and LBPRC combined. Since 2013 Cubans have been major acquisitions and highly sought after in the Caribbean circuits.
The signings of high-profile players such as Henry Urrutia, Miguel Romero, Leonys Martín, Yanquiel Fernández and Andy Rodríguez in their respective league have made news, but they are some important signings that have been a little less news worthy, but as important. Cubans played a major in the CPBC season and the Serie del Caribe, they are lining themselves up to do the same this winter as well.
For example the José Ramón Rodríguez signing with the Caribes de Anzoátegui made big news on the island, because not only will the right-hander not play with Cuba in the Premier 12, but he has also asked for his release from the Cuban Federation. Rodríguez, who is from Camagüey, Cuba daw action this summer in the Liga Mayor in Venezuela posting a 4-3 record and 3.70 ERA in nine starts with the Samanes de Aragua.
In the case of Fernández who is the MLB’s 90th ranked prospect returns to the Leones de Ponce where he hit .225 in 25 games last winter. This season between Hartford (AA) and Albuquerque (AAA) the slugger is hitting .269 with 10 homeruns and 57 this season between Hartford (AA) and Albuquerque (AAA). The fourth-ranked prospect in the team’s farm system is projected to debut in the big leagues next season, but might be a surprise late season call-up depending on the circumstances.
The latest signing will be that of Erlys Casanova by La Guaira, who pitched this season in the Italian Professional Baseball League with Clima Parma. The right-hander from Pinar del Río, Cuba is a decorated pitcher with the National team and has also seen action in the Serie del Caribe as part of the 2015 Vegueros team that won the tournament. This in Italy he sported a 8-4 record and 1.87 ERA in 15 starts. Casanova figures to be a long reliever and spot starter for the defending Venezuelan and Caribbean champion Tiburones.
Cubans in the Winter Leagues:
LIDOM:
Henry Urrutia IF-DH (Gigantes)
Andy Rodríguez RHP (Águilas)
Vladimir Gutierrez RHP (Águilas)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Águilas)
JC Escarra C-IF (Águilas)*
Dairon Blanco OF (Estrellas)
Pedro León OF (Estrellas)
Julio Pablo Martínez OF (Estrellas)
Luis Avilés IF (Estrellas)
Jorge Martínez RHP (Estrellas)
Jimmy Yacabonis RHP (Toros)*
Raúl Valdés LHP (Toros)
Ariel Miranda LHP (Escogido)
Liga ARCO:
Yasmany Tomás IF (Los Mochis)
Ronald Bolaños RHP (Los Mochis)
Roel Santos OF (Los Mochis)
Victor Labrada OF (Guasave)
Yadir Drake IF-Of (Guasave)
Yoel Yanqui IF (Mazatlán)
Diosbel Arias IF (Culiacán)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP (Ciudad Obregón)
LBPRC:
Greg Veliz RHP (Carolina)*
Rafael Sánchez RHP (Santurce)
Lázaro Estrada RHP (Santurce)
Bryan Chi RHP (Santurce)
Félix Pérez DH-OF (Santurce)
Yanquiel Fernandez OF (Ponce)
LVBP:
Leonys Martín OF (La Guaira)
Miguel Romero RHP (La Guaira)
Erlys Casanova RHP (La Guaira)
Yurisbel Gracial 3B-OF (La Guaira)
Yasiel Puig OF (La Guaira)
Yunesky Maya RHP (Aragua)
Yoanner Negrín RHP (Aragua)
Lázaro Blanco RHP (Aragua)
Carlos Juan Viera RHP (Aragua)
Onelki García LHP (Magallanes)
José Ramón Rodríguez RHP (Anzoátegui)
Richard Guasch RHP (Anzoátegui)
Julio Robaina LHP (Caracas)
Geonel Gutiérrez LHP (Islas Margaritas)
LBPN:
Yuniesky García RHP (Rivas)
Lázaro Alonso 1B (Rivas)
*Cuban-American