In a season where a record tying 33 Cubans saw action during the regular season a little less than half of them are on teams that qualified for the postseason. Approximately 12 Cubans will be on playoff roster, while three Cuban- Americans will be on teams playing in the postseason.
Yuli Gurriel makes his eighth straight playoff appearance six with the Astros, one with Miami and one this year with the Royals. The native of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba hits a solid .265 with eight longballs and 39 runs batted in over 332 at-bats in the postseason. Gurriel was key figure in Kansas City’s run for a playoff spot.
Although Houston was eliminated today Yordan Álvarez has always been a key figure with Astros in various playoff runs including two world championships. The giant from Las Tunas, Cuba hits .294 and sports .944 in the playoffs. Álvarez is arguably the best hitter to grace MLB out of the Cuban Serie Nacional.
Cuban-American lefty Carlos Rodón led the Yankees pitching staff with 16 wins and figures to be a key starter in the extra stanza for the Bronx Bombers. The southpaw also led the team from Gotham with 195 strikeouts and should be the #1 starter for the team for the divisional series.
Out of the bullpen Yennier Cano (3.15,34HLDs) of the Orioles, Adrián Morejón (3-2,2.83,12HLDs,2SV) of the Padres and Raisel Iglesias (6-2,1.95,34SV) of the Braves will see action in key situations for their teams and will called upon to put out fires.
Cubans in the postseason:
Andy Pagés OF (LAD)
Nick Castellanos OF (PHI)*
Adrián Morejón LHP (SD)
Daysbel Hernández RHP (ATL)
Raisel Iglesias RHP (ATL)
Jorge Soler OF (ATL)
José Iglesias IF (NYM)
J.D. Martínez OF-DH (NYM)*
Carlos Rodón LHP (NYY)*
Yordan Álvarez OF-DH (HOU)
Yennier Cano RHP (BAL)
Cionel Pérez LHP (BAL)
Yuli Gurriel IF (KC)
Dairon Blanco OF (KC)
Andy Ibáñez Util (DET)
*Cuban-American