The amount of Cubans playing in the winter leagues just keep getting bigger as the days go on. Heading into the second half of the regular season in most circuits, two Yoáns will report to two prominent in Puerto Rico (Senadores de San Juan) and the Dominican Republic (Águilas Cibaeñas) .
The first Yoán, which is Moncada was probably the most heralded signing of the winter has also been a talented enigma over his MLB career. Based on the hype he had coming out of Cuba, Moncada has vastly underperformed. The talented infielder is expected to report to the Senadores de San Juan on December 10th. Moncada is coming off an injury plagued year in which he hit .275 in 12 games this season. The Cuban slugger is looking to showcase his talents in order to sign with an MLB club before Spring Training.
The second Yoán, who’s surname is López was announced by the Águilas Cibaeñas today to shore up a big hole in the back end of their bullpen. The right-hander is coming off an All-Star season with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol. In 49 games with the Mexican squad he posted a 4-1 record, 1.18 ERA and three saves. The ex-big leaguer also saw action with the Águilas in 2021-22 and did not allow a run in three games pitched.
Cubans in the Winter Leagues:
LIDOM:
Henry Urrutia IF-DH (Gigantes)
Yunesky Maya RHP (Gigantes)
Vladimir Gutierrez RHP (Águilas)
Yadiel Hernández OF (Águilas)
Yoán López RHP (Águilas)
JC Escarra C-IF (Águilas)*
Dairon Blanco OF (Estrellas)
Julio Pablo Martínez OF (Estrellas)
Luis Avilés IF (Estrellas)***
Jorge Martínez RHP (Estrellas)
José Barrero IF-OF (Estrellas)
Bryan Lavastida C (Estrellas)*
Jimmy Yacabonis RHP (Toros)*
Elih Marrero C (Toros)*
Raúl Valdés LHP (Toros,Licey)**
Leonys Martín OF (Licey)
Elían Leyva RHP (Escogido)****
Ariel Miranda LHP (Escogido)
Liga ARCO:
Yasmany Tomás IF (Los Mochis)
Ronald Bolaños RHP (Los Mochis)
Félix Stevens OF (Los Mochis)
Roel Santos OF (Los Mochis)
Victor Labrada OF (Guasave)
Yadir Drake IF-Of (Guasave)
Diosbel Arias IF (Culiacán,Monterrey)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP (Ciudad Obregón)
Luis Avilés Jr IF (Mazatlán)
LBPRC:
Greg Veliz RHP (Carolina)*
Adeiny Hechavarría IF (Carolina)
Rafael Sánchez RHP (Santurce)
Lázaro Estrada RHP (Santurce)
Bryan Chi RHP (Santurce)
Félix Pérez DH-OF (Santurce)
Yanquiel Fernandez OF (Ponce)
Yoanys Quiala RHP (Ponce)
Aledmys Díaz IF (San Juan)
José Abreu 1B (San Juan)
Yoan Moncada IF (San Juan)
Josimar Cousin RHP (Mayagüez)
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)*****
Pedro Echemendia RHP (La Guaira)*****
Yoennis Yera LHP (La Guaira)
Yunesky Maya RHP (Aragua)
Yoanner Negrín RHP (Aragua)
Lázaro Blanco RHP (Aragua)
Carlos Juan Viera RHP (Aragua)
Raymond Figueredo RHP (Aragua)
Frank Medina RHP (Aragua)
Onelki García LHP (Magallanes)
Yoel Yanqui 1B (Magallanes)
Peter O’Brien OF (Magallanes)*
José Ramón Rodríguez RHP (Anzoátegui)
Richard Guasch RHP (Anzoátegui)
Darién Núñez LHP (Anzoátegui)
Julio Robaina LHP (Caracas)
Yordanys Linares OF (Islas Margaritas)
LBPN:
Yuniesky García RHP (Rivas)
Lázaro Alonso 1B (Rivas)
Rusney Castillo OF (Rivas)
Yosmany Guerra IF (Rivas)
Alay Lago IF (Tren del Norte)
Maikel Serrano OF (Tren del Norte)
Rogelio Quesada RHP (Tren del Norte)
Yordan Nodal LHP (Chinandega)
Xian Vega IF (Chinandega)
Pablo Salgado LHP (Chinandega)
Adrián Moreno IF (León)
Luis Medina IF (Bòer)
LCBP:
Amaury Tamayo RHP ( Cartagena)
Luis Angel Rojas IF (Cartagena)
Robin Fernández IF ( Barranquilla)
Yassel Pino IF (Sincelejo)
PROBEIS:
Yusniel Padrón RHP (Atlanticos)
Heisell Baro RHP (Águilas)
*Cuban-American
**Released by Toros
***Released by Estrellas
****Released by Escogido
*****Released by La Guaira