Plenty of Cubans have reported to their corresponding NPB teams. Besides Livan Moinelo and Raidel Martínez headlining the arrivals, Christian Rodríguez and Ariel Martínez are two other big names that have said present with their current squads. Look for plenty of players from the island nation to make an impact in the land of the rising sun.
Rodríguez participated in 65 games on the farm system with Chunichi where he had 53 hits in 196 at-bats for a .270 average, while sporting a .338 on-base percentage . As for his extra-base hits, the Cuban swatted nine doubles and drove in a total of 17 runs. He also posted a .316 slugging percentage and .654 OPS, but also struck out an alarming 83 rimes. Rodríguez also saw action in 21 games with the Dragons’ big club where he hit .130 with one RBI and three runs scored. He started at shortstop on Opening Day and was the eighth hitter with the Nippon League squad.
Martínez signed a contract with the Nippon-ham Fighters this offseason for $8M and four seasons. Last season the slugger had 57 RBIs, in addition to becoming one of the team’s mainstays and the face of the franchise In the last two seasons Martínez has driven in 123 runs in two years with Fighters. Over his career in Japan the first baseman has 167 RBIs, 125 runs scored, a batting average of .252 and an on-base percentage of .343. In total he has hit 305 hits, including 40 home runs, 65 doubles and five triples with Chunichi Dragons and Nippon-ham.
Cubans that have reported to their Nippon League teams for Spring Training:
SoftBank Hawks:
Liván Moinelo LHP
Dario Sarduy LHP
Chunichi Dragons:
Carlos Moiner OF
Christian Rodríguez IF
Randy Martínez LHP
Chiba Lotte Marines:
Andy Martín OF
Yomiuri Giants:
Raidel Martínez RHP
Nippon Ham Fighters:
Ariel Martínez IF