Since 2023, 23 players of Cuban heritage have combined for 23 MLB All-Star selections, led by Yordan Álvarez and Randy Arozarena with three selections each, while Yandy Díaz and Aroldis Chapman have earned two selections apiece. Since 2013 when Cuban players started to hit the MLB in masses the island baseball has been ascending.
Aside from the stars mentioned above emerging players such as Miguel Vargas, Andy Pagés and Sal Stewart are establishing a base of Cuban players that could make All-Star appearances for years to come. The future looks promising for Cuban baseball, especially if political changes come to the island in the near future.
In reference to Vargas the infielder is having a career year with 20 longballs and 56 RBIs at the All-Star break. The young slugger from Havana has come into his own and has a .357/.481/.848 slash line on the season. Vargas is the leader of a young up-and-coming team on the Southside of Chicago.
Stewart on the other hand is the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year in the National League and leads all rookies with 60 runs batted, while he has also gone yard 17 times and sports a sparkling .463 slugging percentage. Stewart is a key piece of the Cincinnati Reds lineup.
Pagés has had an outstanding season slashing .269/.330/.474/.804 and is tied for the National League lead with 63 runs batted in. Pagés is also a plus defender and has 16 DRS, 10 assists and 6 OAA. The native of Pinar del Río, Cuba is a future cornerstone for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Below is the year-by-year breakdown:
2023 (11): JD Martínez*, Nolan Arenado*, Yandy Díaz, Randy Arozarena, Nick Castellanos*, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jorge Soler, Yordan Álvarez, Luis Robert Jr., Yennier Cano, Adolis García
2024 (1): Yordan Álvarez
2025 (3): Aroldis Chapman, Randy Arozarena, Adrián Morejón
2026 (8): Yordan Álvarez, Miguel Vargas, Randy Arozarena, Yandy Díaz, Aroldis Chapman, Andy Pagés, Sal Stewart, Raisel Iglesias
*Cuban-American