Cuban baseball has a rich and storied history, with the recent abundance of players leaving the island and the recent emergence of a talented crop of Cuban-American players there is more history to be made this season.
While 2023 saw 11 players of Cuban heritage make All-Star appearances, last season only saw one Cuban grace the diamond at the midsummer classic. This campaign looks more promising for the Antilleans in reference to deserving an All-Star Game nod.
Plenty of players of Cuban descent have a good case for the game and below I am going to make a case for some players who deserve to be in attendance for the contest in Atlanta this July. Expect to see all or most these players in the ATL.
Yandy Díaz (.271,10HR,14 (2B),42RBI)- Díaz made an All-Star Game appearance in 2023 and even hit a homer in the event. Díaz is having a very solid season with the bat and has been on a tear hitting a robust .433 over his last seven games. On the season Díaz slashes .271/.321/.436/.757 with 10 homeruns, 14 doubles and 42RBIs.
Aroldis Chapman (3-2,1.45,13SV,43K)-
Chapman is arguably having his best season in the big leagues. The flamethrowing left-hander has been a Swiss arm knife out of the bullpen for the Red Sox. The native of Holguín, Cuba has saved 13 games in 14 opportunities and has fanned 43 in 31 innings pitched, while opponents hit a miniscule .148 on the season against the hurler. The southpaw has not allowed a run in his last seven outings.
Andy Pagés (.290,15HR,12(2B),50RBI)- Andy Pagés has been the most dynamic Cuban hitter in MLB this season. Pagés has quietly established himself as a five-tool player. The outfielder is hitting .290 on the season, has homered 15 times, laced 12 doubles, knocked in 50 runs and has stolen six bases. On defense the outfielder has yet to make an error, garnered three assists and eight defensive runs saved on the season.
Yariel Rodríguez (1-0,2.70,34K,9HLDs)–
The right-hander who signed a 32 million dollar contract last season with the team has become one of the premier long relievers in the games notching 9 holds, a save and a 2.70 earned run average on the season. Over the last 15 games Rodríguez has been especially unhittable posting a 0.86 earned run average and solidify his argument for a berth in the game.
*Nick Castellanos (.277,7HR,18 (2B),36RBI,)– Castellanos has been one of the most consistent hitter of the last five years and was also an All-Star in 2023. The season he has been very solid with the bat hitting .277 with seven longballs, 18 doubles and 36 runs batted in. The Cuban-American has a solid .422 slugging percentage.
*Zach Neto (.268,10HR,13(2B),12SB)-
Heading into his third big league season the Cuban-American shortstop has established himself as an up-and-coming player. The native of Miami has a good chance at having a 20HR-20(2B)-20SB season. His slick glove combined with a good blend of speed and power make him one of the game’s most interesting prospects in the majors.
*Carlos Rodón (9-5,3.10,114K,0.98 WHIP)-
Rodón has established himself as the New York Yankees ace winning nine games and striking out 114 in 95⅔ innings pitched on the season. The hurler also sports a solid 3.10 earned run average and a 0.98 WHIP on the season. The lefty has posted a 2.85 earned run average over his last seven starts to make his case very strong for a selection to the game.
Adrián Morejón (4-3,2.35,31K,9HLDs)– Morejón has successfully made the transition from starter to reliever establishing himself as a premier situational lefty in the majors. The hard-throwing southpaw has won four games, posted nine holds, saved a game and has 2.35 ERA. Morejón has not allowed an earned run in his last nine innings pitched.
*Cuban-American