Camagüey-born outfielder Loidel Chapellí Jr was invited to Spring Training by the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol (LMB). For Chapellí, this will be his second incursion in the circuit, following a brief stint with the Piratas de Campeche in 2021.
With Chapellí, the Olmecas have a total of eight Cubans, making them the team with the largest Cuban presence, two more than the Leones de Yucatán. Pitchers Yoennis Yera, Ariel Miranda, and Miguel Neira; infielders Luis Avilés Jr., Félix Pérez, and Osday Silva; and outfielder Roel Santos complete the Cubans on the roster with Tabasco.
The young Cuban was waived by the Chicago White Sox in February 2024, after a brief three-year stint in the franchise’s minor league system. After almost a year without playing baseball, the Olmecas are giving him an opportunity to reintegrate into a professional league like the LMB. The outfielder recently spoke with the team’s press about his preparations and aspirations for the season with the Olmecas.
Arriving recently at the Olmecas training camp, you got to work quickly.
I think so, that’s what consistency is all about, working every day. It doesn’t matter what time you arrive, as long as you find the time to train. That makes you better every day, and for me, being a better athlete every day is the most important way to help the team.
What can Loidel contribute to these Olmecs of Tabasco?
I can bring a lot of things; I can bring speed, defense and in-game intelligence. I always look for ways to play good baseball because it’s not just about hitting, but also about defending, running well, stealing bases; and I think I can contribute a lot to the team by doing those things.
You’ve already played in Campeche, and for a while in Cañeros in the winter. What do you think of Mexican baseball?
Mexican baseball is very complicated, especially for those coming from abroad, who have to adapt to it. I think it’s a difficult game, but I can do the job, and I’m here with the goal of doing it and helping the Olmecas.
The number of foreign players grown? Does this demonstrates a growth in the level of talent in the league?
Yes, I think it’s good for the league. I think there’s more competition, and teams can better select their roster reinforcements.
Do you feel at home here due to the large Cuban presence on the team?
I feel quite welcome here. There are a lot of Cubans, and there are also several guys here I’ve played with before. I think that’s going to help me settle in a lot better with the team.