Yasiel Puig will return to Puerto Rico this winter after signing with the Senadores de San Juan for the upcoming LBPRC season as per many sources. After more than a decade since his previous stint in Puerto Rico, Puig is now set for a new chapter in the LBPRC, this time wearing the uniform of the Senadores de San Juan.
His résumé and name recognition make the signing one of the more notable additions for San Juan ahead of the season. He will play with his countrymen Dyan Jorge. Last winter the Cuban outfielder played in Venezuela with the Navegantes de Magallanes.
The Cuban outfielder gives San Juan a high-profile addition with extensive professional experience in Major League Baseball and several international leagues. Known throughout his career for his power, strong arm and aggressive style of play, Puig adds another dangerous bat to the Senadores lineup as the club prepares for the new winter-ball campaign.
This will not be Puig’s first experience in Puerto Rican baseball. He previously suited up for the Indios de Mayagüez during the 2012-13 season, giving him familiarity with the league and the competitive atmosphere of baseball on the island. That season he hit .232 with a homerun and nine runs batted in over 20 games.
Puig later established himself in Major League Baseball, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers, before continuing his career internationally. Over his MLB career he slashed .277/.348/.475/.823, while also hitting 132 homeruns and driving in 415 runs over seven seasons.
Cuban signings this winter:
Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico:
Orlando Martínez OF (Tomateros de Culiacán)
Albert Lara IF (Algodoneros de Guasave)
Yadir Drake IF-OF (Águilas de Mexicali)
Elían Leyva RHP (Mayos de Navojoa)
Odrisamer Despaigne RHP (Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón)
Aledmys Díaz IF (Yaquis de Ciudad Obregón)
Miguel Romero RHP (Cañeros de Los Mochis)
Yasmany Tomás OF (Cañeros de Los Mochis)
Víctor Labrada OF (Algodoneros de Guasave
LIDOM:
Richard Guasch RHP (Estrellas Orientales)
Roenis Elías LHP (Estrellas Orientales)
JC Escarra C-1B (Águilas Cibaeñas)*
Raynel Delgado IF (Águilas Cibaeñas)
Andy Ibáñez IF (Leones del Escogido)
Andrew Pérez LHP (Tigres del Licey)*
Julio Robaina LHP (Tigres del Licey)
Vladimir Gutierrez RHP (Tigres del Licey)
Víctor Mesa Jr OF (Tigres del Licey)
Lázaro Montes OF (Gigantes del Cibao)
Carlos Rodríguez RHP (Toros del Este)*
LVBP:
Diosbel Arias IF (Bravos de Margarita)
Darién Núñez RHP (Bravos de Margarita)
José Ramón Rodríguez RHP (Caribes de Anzoátegui)
Sandy Gastón RHP (Leones del Caracas)
Carlos Espinosa RHP (Navegantes de Magallanes)
LBPRC:
Dyan Jorge IF (Senadores de San Juan)
Yasiel Puig OF (Senadores de San Juan)
Yanquiel Fernández OF (Criollos de Caguas)
Nolan Arenado 3B (Leones de Ponce)*
Rafael Sánchez RHP (Cangrejeros de Santurce)
*Cuban-American