There will be some prime Cuban talent playing in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional for the upcoming season. The most attractive name playing in the circuit will obviously be Yasiel Puig, the ex-big leaguer still has a lot appeal to fans even at his advanced age.
The Cuban slugger played last season in the LVBP with the Tiburones de La Guaira hitting .242 with two homeruns and 12 runs batted in over 17 games, before abruptly leaving the team due to a signing with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization.
Roel Santos, who is one of the top leadoff hitters in the Caribbean has inked a deal with Bravos de la Islas Margarita. Over nine winter league seasons he is slashing .293/.355/.380/.735 with seven longballs, 75 runs batted in and 68 stolen bases over that span. Expect the 38-year-old speedster to be a solid acquisition for the Venezuelan squad.
Right-hander José Ramón Rodríguez returns to the Caribes de Anzoátegui after posting a 5-1 record and a 3.45 earned run average in 11 starts for the squad last season. This summer in the Venezuelan Liga Mayor the hurler had a 4-2 record and a 4.35 ERA with the Marineros de Carabobo.
LVBP:
Geisel Cepeda OF (La Guaira)
Emmanuel Chapman RHP (La Guaira)
Rangel Ravelo IF-OF (Lara)
José Ramón Rodríguez RHP (Anzoátegui)
Miguel Romero RHP (Caracas)
Yasiel Puig OF (Magallanes)
Roel Santos OF (Islas Margarita)
Yoennis Yera LHP (Aragua)