Although the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol season is at least four months away, teams have already started to make moves and Cubans are factoring in during these transactions made by LMB squads. The Aguila de Veracruz and Olmecas de Tabasco have inked two hurlers from the island.
José Ramón Rodríguez is having a solid season with the Caribes de Anzoátegui of the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional. The right-hander from Camagüey, Cuba sports a 4-1 record, 4.04 earned run average and a 1.32 WHIP. The crafty righty is a veteran of many international competitions with the Cuban National Team.
Last summer he pitched in the Venezuelan Liga Mayor with the Samanes de Aragua and was one of the team’s top pitchers posting a 4-3 record and 3.70 ERA. Expect Rodríguez to be at the top of the rotation for Veracruz this upcoming season.
Tabasco will have Miranda in their rotation this upcoming campaign. The lefty has seen action in the MLB,KBO, CPBL and the NPB. The Cuban was the pitcher of the year and MVP in the KBO during 2021 season. Miranda set the league record for strikeouts that season when he fanned 225.
Last season the hurler pitched in the LMB with Campeche winning three games and posting a 3.72 ERA in eight starts. If healthy Miranda has the ability to be the ace of the staff. Miranda has also seen action with the Saraperos de Saltillo in the Aztec circuit.
Cuban signed by teams in LMB:
Adeiny Hechavarría IF (Tabasco)
Ariel Miranda LHP (Tabasco)
Osday Silva OF (Tabasco)
José Ramón Rodríguez RHP (Veracruz)