Varios Cubans in the minors are making noise at their perspective levels and are ready to take the mantle from future retiring stars. Names such as Lázaro Montes, Kendry Rojas and Yandel Ricardo have a big upside, while Luis Danys Morales and Yanquiel Fernández have already made their MLB debuts and show flashes of immense talent.
Morales who has drawn comparison to José Fernández sports a 4-1 record, 3.08 earned run average and 34 strikeouts in eight starts. The right-hander sports a high 90’s fastball and an array of sharp breaking pitches including mesmerizing slider. Look for Morales to be in the front part of the Athletics rotation for years to come.
In the case of Yanquiel Fernández he has taken some lumps from pitchers this season, but has shown some flashes of power with four homeruns and four doubles. In a park like Coors and a year under his belt expect Fernández to become the slugger the Rockies envisioned when the signed him in 2019 for 275K.
Lázaro Montes leads all Cubans in professional baseball with 32 homeruns and has drawn comparison to a young Yordan Álvarez. Montes should go into the offseason building himself up to win a job in the spring training of 2026. Look for the slugger to play winter ball this offseason.
Kendry Rojas was the headliner in the Louie Varland trade. The number six prospect in the team’s farm system has a blazing 97 mph fastball and an above-average changeup, while also sporting a very sharp slider. Rojas could be in the fight for a spot in the team’s rotation next year.
Yandel Ricardo is a do-it-all shortstop in the Royals’ farm system that has swatted 22 extra-base hits and stolen 31 bases on the campaign. Ricardo who signed for 2.4 million in 2024 projects to make his MLB debut in 2029. Ricardo who has above-average defensive metrics is also a switch-hitter who projects to get more powerful as he matures. Expect Ricardo to be the shortstop of the future for the Royals.
Top-10 de Cuban propects as per Baseball America:
1️⃣ Lázaro Montes (20). OF
🔹 Seattle Mariners
📊 2025 (A+ y AA): .862 OPS, 18 2B, 7 3B, 32 HR, 89 RBI
2️⃣ Luis Danys Morales (22 ). RHP
🔹 Athletics
📊 2025 (AA, AAA y MLB): 10-4, 122.1 IP, 139 SO, 3.46 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
3️⃣ Kendry Rojas (22 ). LHP
🔹 Minnesota Twins
📊 2025 (Rookie, A, AA y AAA): 2-5, 61.2 IP, 82 SO, 4.52 ERA, 1.48 WHIP
4️⃣ Yandel Ricardo (18 ). SS
🔹 Kansas City Royals
📊 2025 (Rookie y A): .721 OPS, 13 2B, 7 3B, 2 HR, 35 RBI
5️⃣ Kevin Álvarez (17 ). OF
🔹 Houston Astros
📊 2025 (Rookie): .874 OPS, 12 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 33 RBI
6️⃣ Yanquiel Fernández (22). OF
🔹 Colorado Rockies
📊 2025 (AAA y MLB): .786 OPS, 18 2B, 16 HR, 48 RBI
7️⃣ Félix Arronde (22). RHP
🔹 Kansas City Royals
📊 2025 (A+): 5-7, 128.2 IP, 101 SO, 2.80 ERA, 1.08 WHIP
8️⃣ Diego Tornes (17). OF
🔹 Atlanta Braves
📊 2025 (Rookie): .796 OPS, 5 2B, 5 3B, 13 RBI, 24 SB
9️⃣ Bryan Ramos (23 ).IF
🔹 Chicago White Sox
📊 2025 (AAA y MLB): .687 OPS, 16 2B, 1 3B, 14 HR, 49 RBI
1️⃣0️⃣ Roberto Campos (22). OF
🔹 Detroit Tigers
📊 2025 (AA): .654 OPS, 22 2B, 3 3B, 4 HR, 38 RBI