Cuban talent has played a big part in the Nippon Professional Baseball League of the past decade and this season will not be any different. Barring any other signings nine Cubans will see action in the Japanese League in the upcoming campaign.
Since the return of the FCB to professional competition in 2013, players like Liván Moinelo (SoftBank Hawks), who won the league MVP this year and was the Reliever of the Year in 2020. Raidel Martínez (Chunichi Dragons/Yomiuri Giants) has also saved over 200 games during his time in the Nippon League, making him the most dominant closer in the current day NPB.
Of the non-FCB players, Dayán Viciedo has been the catalyst by smacking over a thousand hits, 141 longballs and even winning a batting title in 2018 over his career. Viciedo returns to DeNa this season looking to add on to a storied legacy in the land of the rising sun.
Though divided by political differences and a totalitarian regime Cubans have been making a big impact in the Nippon Professional Baseball League over the past decade and with the continued presence of Liván Moinelo, Raidel Martínez, Dayán Viciedo in the league and the recent signings of prospects like Jonathan Moreno don’t expect the presence of the Caribbean islanders to dissipate any time soon.
Cubans currently under contract with Japanese baseball organizations for 2026:
🔹 Liván Moinelo (SoftBank Hawks)
🔹 Raidel Martínez (Yomiuri Giants)
🔹 Ariel Martínez (Nippon Ham Fighters)
🔹 Randy Martínez (Chunichi Dragons)
🔹 Darío Sarduy (SoftBank Hawks)
🔹 Jonathan Moreno (SoftBank Hawks)
🔹 Christian Rodríguez (Chunichi Dragons)
🔹 Dayan Viciedo (DeNA BayStars)
🔸 Omar Linares – Coach (Chunichi Dragons)