The Cuban Baseball Digest

Raisel Iglesias considers his 2021 season with the Los Angeles Angels the best of his career. That year, he received Cy Young Award votes, recorded a career-high 34 saves, and posted some of his best numbers. Now, his 2026 season also ranks among the finest of his career.

In 59 appearances, Iglesias posted a 2.55 ERA, a 3.17 FIP, 9.60 strikeouts per nine innings, and 2.55 walks per nine innings. For the fourth time in his career, the Cuban reliever reached 34 saves, matching his personal best.

Iglesias will have the opportunity to pitch in the MLB postseason for the fourth time in his career. In seven playoff appearances, the major league veteran has a 6.75 ERA, a 7.32 FIP, and one save. His most recent postseason appearance came in 2023, when he did not allow a hit.

Before the Braves returned home to prepare for their Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Iglesias spoke with Pelota Cubana USA about his season, his first All-Star selection, and the wealth of talent among Cuban players today.

A while ago, you told me you no longer even thought about the All-Star Game. Now that you finally made it, how do you think you’ll remember this season ten years from now?

2026 has been an excellent year. I thought my best season had been in 2021 with the Angels, when I saved 34 games and received several award nominations. But this year has been very important to me because I finally got the call to the All-Star Game. I’d had other very good seasons and had never been selected, so I was really happy. My family enjoyed it tremendously, too.

Your son had something special to do with that happiness, right?

Yes, because he plays baseball, too, and had participated in the All-Star Game for his age group. He would tell me, “Dad, you’re the only one missing.” When the opportunity came, I took him with me, and he had an incredible time. I think he enjoyed the All-Star Game more than I did. It was a wonderful experience for me, including the opportunity to spend time with so many talented, outstanding players. Hopefully, I’ll have another good first half next year, and they’ll remember me again.

Your season didn’t end with that first half, either. You surpassed 30 saves again. What does that mean at this stage of your career?

It means a lot. I’m 36 now, and I’ve spent 12 years in this league. The years take their toll, and you have to work harder than before. The game keeps getting more demanding. Hitters have more information, and they prepare very well to face a pitcher. We have to do the same: take care of our bodies, stay healthy, and keep finding ways to be effective. That preparation has allowed me to remain here.

Along with your first selection, there was a large Cuban contingent at the All-Star Game. What did you feel when you looked around and saw so many of your countrymen?

A lot of pride. I think there were eight or nine Cubans. The Cuban machine, as I call it, has done an excellent job. And there are still incredibly talented players who couldn’t be there because of injuries. Seeing so many of us there speaks to the quality Cuban baseball continues to have, both in the major leagues and in the minors. I would tell the young guys coming up to keep preparing and never give up. Hopefully, there will be even more Cubans in that game next year.

Let’s talk about your friend Aroldis Chapman. He reached 400 saves and continues to build his legacy. How did you experience that moment?

It was incredible. In our previous interview, I told you I would be among the first to congratulate him when he reached 400 saves. I don’t know if I was the first, but I must have been the second or third. I was following him inning by inning, waiting for that moment. I was really happy because he deserves it. Chapi has worked very hard, never gives up, and even though he’s 37, he looks like he’s 15. We stay in touch and have a great relationship.

He’s also keeping an eye on your pursuit of 300 saves. Do you talk about that?

Yes, he’s waiting for me to reach 300. It won’t happen this year, but I’m about seven or eight saves away. Maybe it will happen next year. It would be something very special for me.

Atlanta is back in the playoffs. How are you approaching what’s ahead?

The same way we’ve worked over these past few months: game by game and day by day. We have to see how things unfold, inning by inning, and make the most of every opportunity. The main thing is to get wins so we can keep advancing. We all want to reach the World Series, and we’re going to try to put together the best performance possible.