Andy Pagés made his MLB debut with the Dodgers eatlier this season after six years in the team’s farm system. During his time in the minors the native of Pinar del Río, Cuba has swatted 97 longballs and drove in 306 runs over that span.
The outfielder made his debut on April 16th and although he got off to a hot start to begin the campaign he gradually tailed off. In 381 at-bats the slugger has swatted 33 extra-base hits and has driven in 39 runs so far. Pagés is also hitting .246 and has scored 55 times.
In what been a season that the talented Cuban has had to learn a unfamiliar position on the fly he figures to be a big piece for the Dodgers heading into the playoffs in their quest for another world title.
Your story is full of sacrifices to get to the majors. Tell us about it.
This is something extraordinary, because every Cuban wants to play in the Miami, where so many Cubans live. Thanks to all the work I have done is starting to bare fruits. What remains to be done is to move forward and keep doing it in a strong manner.
You did a lot of showcases before you signed, what motivated you to not to quit and keep going?
Since I left Cuba I had only one goal: to sign with a major league team. Nothing or anyone was going to take that away from me or change my mind.
En route to the majors the was a shoulder injury and a surgery, how did you overcome this adversity?
I have never had surgery or an injury before. I didn’t know how I was going to recover. I had to work very hard to see what would happen in spring training and how I was going to recover.
You played many positions in the minors even catcher, but now you have settled in centerfield.
I thought I could play center field when I arrived here this year. I realized that I have improved my physique and speed. So I thought I could play the position and the team put me there. I had to solve it on the fly.
Since you left Cuba how have you the changed as a person?
Everything has taught me that in order to be in the Major Leagues for a long time you have to change and improve year after year to be able to stay here. My goal is to help the team while I’m here. I want to play as long as I can in the Major Leagues.