Plenty of Cubans are going to see action with teams this spring. A few will be getting in a game shape with their prospective clubs, a few will see their first spring action and others will be fighting for a roster spot with the big ballclub if they impress this preseason.
Yoán Moncada heads into the spring as the starting third baseman on the Angels’ depth chart and looks to rebound after an injury plagued and subpar season in 2024 with the White Sox. After signing a 1-year, 5 million dollar show me contract with the halos, the slugger is looking to cash in with a big season.
Cuban-American JC Escarra is looking to make the Yankees as the backup catcher with a big spring. Escarra was recently added to the Bronx Bombers’ 40-man roster and is coming off an big winter with the Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Winter League in which he was the circuit’s batting champion.
The Chicago White Sox have the most Cubans on their roster in the form of Brayan Ramos, Miguel Vargas, Oscar Colás, Luis Robert and Edgar Quero. Robert is looking to return to form after an injury riddled season and is easily the most complete Cuban player in the majors. The man to watch in the Cactus League for the pale holes is Edgar Quero, the number six in the team’s farm system.
Aroldis Chapman will be the closer in Boston. The left-hander is looking to build on a solid season in which he saved 14 games, won five games and had 19 holds. The flamethrowing hurler also had opponents hit a miniscule .198 against him and he fanned 98 in 61⅔ innings pitched last season. Chapman has saved 335 games over his 15 year career in the big leagues.
With the Astros, Yordan Álvarez looks to continue to be the pillar of Houston and notch another 30-homer season. The young slugger has hit the milestone for three straight seasons. While on the other hand Cuban-American hurler Lance McCullers Jr looks to return to the mound after missing nearly three seasons due to various arm injuries.
Twenty-five Cubans could easily open the season in the big show, which could be the most Antilleans to open up a campaign in MLB in a long time. In total close to 35 players of Cuban heritage if we include Cuban-Americans. The stage in set for an exciting season for the residents of a Caribbean island where baseball is king.
Orioles:
RHP Yennier Cano
LHP Cionel Pérez
Red Sox:
LHP Aroldis Chapman
IF Triston Casas*
IF Romy González*
Yankees:
C JC Escarra*
LHP Carlos Rodón*
SS George Lombard Jr. (NRI)*
Rays:
RHP Alex Faedo*
IF Yandy Díaz
IF Coco Montes (NRI)*
Blue Jays:
RHP Yariel Rodríguez
RHP Lázaro Estrada (NRI)
White Sox:
IF Bryan Ramos
IF Miguel Vargas
OF Óscar Colas
OF Luis Robert Jr.
C Edgar Quero (NRI)
Guardians:
RHP Franco Aleman
IF Yordys Valdés (NRI)
Tigers:
IF Andy Ibáñez
Royals:
OF Dairon Blanco
C Omar Hernández (NRI)
Twins:
IF Armando Álvarez (NRI)*
Astros:
RHP Lance McCullers Jr. *
OF Yordan Alvarez
OF Pedro León
C Bryan Lavastida (NRI)*
Athletics:
RHP Pedro Santos (NRI)
Angels:
RHP Victor Mederos
IF Zach Neto*
IF Yoan Moncada
OF Jorge Soler
Seattle Mariners:
OF Randy Arozarena
OF Lázaro Montes (NRI)
Texas Rangers:
OF Adolis García
Braves:
RHP Daysbel Hernández
RHP Raisel Iglesias
IF Eddy Álvarez (NRI)*
Miami Marlins:
OF Victor Mesa Jr.
C Nick Fortes*
OF Albert Almora Jr. (NRI)*
Phillies:
OF Nick Castellanos*
Washington Nationals:
RHP Orlando Ribalta
IF Yohandy Morales (NRI)*
DBacks:
C Adrian del Castillo*
OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
C Aramis García (NRI)*
Colorado Rockies:
OF Yanquiel Fernández
Dodgers:
OF Andy Pagés
Padres:
LHP Adrián Morejón
C Anthony Vilar (NRI)*
Reds:
RHP Nick Martínez*
RHP Yosver Zulueta
IF Sal Stewart (NRI)*
Brewers:
LHP Néstor Cortés
RHP Carlos Rodríguez**
IF Raynel Delgado (NRI)
IF Ernesto Martínez Jr (NRI)
Pittsburgh:
RHP Johan Oviedo
IF Malcom Núñez (NRI)
Cardinals:
RHP Ryan Fernández*
IF Nolan Arenado*
IF César Prieto (NRI)
IF José Barrero (NRI)
NRI: Non-Roster Inivitee (Invitado fuera del Roster de 40)
*Of Cuban descent