Yasiel Puig will play in Canada this summer. The ex-big leaguer has been announced as a new signing by the Toronto Maple Leafs for the upcoming Canadian Baseball League season. One of the circuit highest profile signings in its history. The league kicks off on May 17 and was formerly know as the Intercounty Baseball League.
Over his seven-year career in the majors with Cleveland, Cincinnati and the Dodgers, Puig hit .277 with 132 longballs, 415 runs batted in and a slash line of .348/.475/.823. In his two seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization the slugger slashed .262/.350/.443/.793 with 27 homeruns, 93 runs batted in and six stolen bases
Puig was put on waivers by Kiwoom last season after a lackluster and injury plagued season and saw action this winter with Venezuelan League champion Magallanes. Over 25 games in the LVBP he hit .282 with three homeruns and 14 runs batted in.
The native of Cienfuegos, Cuba has also seen action in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol with Veracruz in 2021 and 2024 hitting. 313 with 28 longballs and 86 runs batted in over a 126 game span. The outfielder was set to return to the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol with Querétaro this season, but legal problems in the US derailed that plan.
Yasiel Puig is a player who always makes an impact, both on and off the field. Now, he adds a new chapter to his career in Canadian baseball. The Cuban is a seasoned veteran that will definitely sell seats because of his fame, but is the talent still there? Could Canada be the last stop for the “Wild Horse” or is there another chapter in the slugger’s career.
Professional debut:
MLB:
June 3, 2013, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
KBO: April 2, 2022, for the Kiwoom Heroes
Last MLB appearance:
September 27, 2019, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics:
Average: .277
Homeruns: 132
Runs batted in: 415
KBO statistics:
Average: .261
Homeruns: 27
Runs batted in: 93
Teams:
- Los Angeles Dodgers (2013–2018) (MLB)
- Cincinnati Reds (2019) (MLB)
- Cleveland Indians (2019) (MLB)
- El Águila de Veracruz (2021,2024) (LMB)
- Kiwoom Heroes (2022, 2025) (KBO)
Career highlights and awards: