With the season starting yesterday plenty of players of Cuban heritage will be on MLB rosters to open up the 2026 campaign. With a record number of Cubans born on the island saw action in 2025, which was 34 players. This season 18 Cuban born players will start the season on major league rosters.
Yandy Díaz (3.4 WAR) was the most impressive Cuban with the lumber last season hitting .300 with 25 homeruns, 29 doubles and 83 runs batted in. The native of Sagua la Grande, Cuba also swatted 175 hits placing him second amongst latinos on the campaign in the majors.
Randy Arozarena (3.9 WAR) also had a very dynamic season at the plate in 2025. The outfielder had a 20-20 season for the fifth straight year. The slugger from Pinar del Río, Cuba was three homeruns from a 30-30 season. Arozarena also hit his 100th major league homerun June 30th of last year against the Kansas City Royals.
Cuban-American Carlos Rodón (4.6 WAR) was the most dominant starter last season of Cuban heritage. The left-hander was second in the American League with 18 wins, first among latinos. The flamethrowing southpaw also fanned 203 batters in 195⅓ innings pitched on the season. Rodón also posted a solid 3.09 earned run average on the campaign.
Zach Neto who led all players of Cuban heritage with a 5.1 WAR took big steps in his development as a player in his third MLB season. The Cuban-American shortstop also posted a second consecutive 20-20 season and a was very close to a 30(HR)-30 (2B)-30 (SB) season. The sky is the limit for this ascending talent.
Andy Pagés (3.8 WAR) also had a breakout season in his second campaign during 2025. The slugger slashed .272/.313/.461/.774 with 27 homeruns and 86 runs batted in at the plate. What makes Pagés so valuable is his ability to be a two-way player, the outfielder had eight assists on the season and eight DRS. Pagés on the other hand also swiped 14 bases making his case as a five-tool player.
As for the relievers, lefties Aroldis Chapman (3.5 WAR) and Adrián Morejón (2.4 WAR) were the top relievers amongst Cubans in their respective leagues during 2025. Chapman posted his ninth 30-save season last year with Boston, posted a 1.17 earned run average and fanned 85 hitters in 61⅓ innings of work. Morejón was a jack of all trades last season with San Diego winning 13 games, saving three, securing 20 holds and sporting a miniscule 2.08 earned run average.
Sal Stewart Jr made his MLB debut last season and could be a contender for the Rookie of the Year in 2026. The #1 prospect of the Cincinnati Reds hit .255 with five longballs and runs batted in over 55 at-bats last season. The Cuban-American slugger also slashed .293/.545/.839 and also sported and OPS+ of 121.
Cionel Pérez has made the Nationals’ roster, which is the biggest surprise amongst Cubans this spring. The Matanzas,Cuba native had an impeccable Spring Training. The left-hander pitched 7.0 innings, allowing just 2 hits and 0 earned runs, with 7 strikeouts and a mere 1 walk. Furthermore, he demonstrated excellent control throwing 71 pitches , 50 in the strike zone, thus dominating opposing batters. These direct results have earned him a spot on the team for the 2026 season.
Athletics third baseman Andy Ibáñez had a stellar Spring Training The Cuban infielder posted a .314 slash line, recording 16 hits in 51 at-bats—including 2 home runs and 8 RBIs—while demonstrating offensive consistency throughout the entire spring A solid performance that puts him in a strong position heading into the 2026 season. Will this be the year Andy Ibáñez establishes himself in the MLB?
Players of Cuban Heritage on MLB rosters for 2026:
Nolan Arenado IF (Arizona Diamondbacks)*
Luis Danys Morales RHP (Athletics)
Andy Ibáñez IF (Athletics)
Raisel Iglesias RHP (Atlanta Braves)
Yennier Cano RHP (Baltimore Orioles)
Anthony Nuñez RHP (Baltimore Orioles)*
Aroldis Chapman LHP (Boston Red Sox)
Johan Oviedo RHP (Boston Red Sox)
Edgar Quero C (Chicago White Sox)
Miguel Vargas IF (Chicago White Sox)
Sal Stewart Jr IF (Cincinnati Reds)*
Yordan Álvarez OF-DH (Houston Astros)
Lance McCullers Jr RHP (Houston Astros)*
Yoan Moncada IF (Los Angeles Angels)
Zach Neto IF (Los Angeles Angels)*
Jorge Soler OF-DH (Los Angeles Angels)
Andy Pagés OF (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Luis Robert OF (New York Mets)
Carlos Rodón LHP (New York Yankees)*
JC Escarra C (New York Yankees)*
Adolis García OF (Philadelphia Phillies)
Adrián Morejón LHP (San Diego Padres)
Nick Castellanos OF (San Diego Padres)*
Randy Arozarena OF (Seattle Mariners)
Nick Fortes C (Tampa Bay Rays)*
Yandy Díaz 1B-DH (Tampa Bay Rays)
Nick Martínez RHP (Tampa Bay Rays)*
Cionel Pérez LHP (Washington Nationals)
*Cuban-American