Cuba’s Alex Guerrero’s Odd Debut in MLB
Raises Cuban Big Leaguers to 175 and Counting
Peter C. Bjarkman*
HAVANA TIMES — It was a most unlikely debut staged in a most unlikely venue, but with his brief appearance in the ninth inning of Saturday night’s big league season opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona D-Backs, former Las Tunas shortstop Alex Guerrero entered the record books as the 175th Cuban native to appear in a major league uniform.
The odd debut carried rather exotic overtones since the former Cuban Leaguer became only the second among his countrymen to first taste big league action during a game staged away from North American soil – this time on the Sidney (Australia) Cricket Grounds recently revamped to host a historic two-game set that introduced big league baseball to fans in the Land Down Under.
Yoenis Céspedes also enjoy his own big league debut two seasons back (March 28, 2012) on far-distant Asian soil during a similar “traveling” MLB season opener staged between the Oakland A’s and Seattle Mariners at Japan’s Tokyo Dome. Céspedes doubled and stuck out twice during his own history-making lid-lifter as Cuban big league number 167.
Guerrero’s own maiden appearance in a Dodger uniform was a rather unorthodox one for a second and more prominent reason since the Cuban managed to achieve “immortality” as an official big leaguer in a game where he never actually entered the field of play, while at the same time earning big league distinction by appearing in an official box score.
Having lost the tight battle for a starting second base slot to highly touted prospects Dee Gordon and Justin Turner (opening night starter at the position), Guerrero nonetheless was at least temporarily included in the club’s season-opening roster for the extended Australian road trip. He was called off the bench in the visitor’s ninth frame as an “announced” pinch hitter for LA reliever Brian Wilson, but when Arizona manager Kirk Gibson replaced lefty Oliver Perez with right-hander J.J. Putz, Guerrero was immediately recalled from the on-deck circle and replaced by lefty-swinging Mike Baxter, who promptly flied out to right field. Thus Guerrero’s current big league line shows one game appearance without any visits to the batter’s box, to the base paths, or to the defense infield alignment.
Alex Guerrero might well be headed toward a brief minor league apprenticeship when the Dodgers return stateside for their native-soil opening series with the San Diego Padres a week from this coming Tuesday. But it is almost certain that the Cuban roster of Major Leaguers will quickly expanding again in Chicago on March 31 with the much anticipated debut of slugger José Dariel Abreu, still currently penciled in as the White Sox opening day first baseman.
A burgeoning list of recent high profile “defectors” in big league spring training camps suggests that this coming season might witness the biggest Cuban influx of recent decades. Five Cuban natives debuted on the Major League scene in 2010, three in 2011, and four in each of the past two campaigns. This year’s cropped of touted prospects recently inked to eye-popping contracts and thus likely near-future big leaguers is topped by right-hander Miguel Alfredo González (Phillies), flashy shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena (Dodgers), infielder Aledmys Díaz (Cardinals) and hurler Dalier Hinojosa (Red Sox).
Also in big league spring training camps this year and still nursing at least slim hopes of big league promotion are outfielder Jorge Soler (Cubs), southpaw hurler Noel Aruelles (Royals), outfielder Adonis García (Yankees), and outfielder Rubi Silva (Cubs).
While the Cuban big league presence is likely to bloom extensively this summer, two recent headliners are now are least temporarily sidelined. It was announced early last week that multiple stress fractures in both legs will keep talented Detroit Tigers glove man José Iglesias out of action for the entire 2014 season. And a tragic accident Wednesday night in Surprise, Arizona, has now postponed 2014 action for Cincinnati flame-thrower Aroldis Chapman for at least several months.
Struck in the face by a line-drive off the bat of Kansas catcher Salvador Perez, Chapman received several facial fractures but fortunately escaped either life-threatening or career-ending injury. After successful surgery on Thursday which included insertion of a steel plate in the pitcher’s forehead, it was announced by the Reds that their ace closer might resume throwing from the mound in as little as six weeks but would not likely see season regularly action with the parent club until early or mid-June.
Cuban Major Leaguers List (175 Cuban Major Leaguers)
Compiled by Peter C. Bjarkman (List Updated March 22, 2014)
Key: Players with names in red font played in Cuba’s post-revolution National Series (are “defectors”) and players with names in blue font never played in either Cuba’s pre-revolution professional Winter League or in the post-revolution National Series and (are Cubans by birth but not by baseball training).
League or in the post-revolution National Series (are Cubans by birth but not by baseball training).
|
Cuban Ballplayers |
Debut Dates |
Positions |
Debut Teams |
Debut Leagues |
Seasons (Games) |
|
Pre-Twentieth Century |
1800s |
|
|
|
|
|
Enrique Esteban Bellán (1) |
1871 (5/9/1871) |
Infield |
Troy Haymakers |
National Association |
3 (60) |
|
Pre-Revolution Period |
1911-1960 |
|
|
|
|
|
Armando Marsans (2) |
1911 (7/4/1911) |
Outfield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
8 (655) |
|
Rafael Almeida (3) |
1911 (7/4/1911) |
Outfield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
3 (102) |
|
Miguel (Mike) González (4) |
1912 (9/28/1912) |
Catcher |
Boston Braves |
National League |
19 (1042) |
|
Merito (Baldomero) Acosta (5) |
1913 (6/15/1913) |
Outfield |
Washington Senators |
National League |
5 (180) |
|
Jacinto (Jack) Calvo (6) |
1913 (9/5/1913) |
Outfield |
Washington Senators |
American League |
2 (34) |
|
Angel (Pete) Aragón (7) |
1914 (8/20/1914) |
Infield |
New York Yankees |
American League |
3 (32) |
|
Adolfo (Dolf) Luque (8) |
1914 (5/20/1914) |
RHP |
Boston Braves |
National League |
20 (550) |
|
Manolo (Manuel) Cueto (9) |
1914 (6/25/1914) |
Outfield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
3 (151) |
|
Emilio (Pal) Palmero (10) |
1915 (9/21/1915) |
RHP |
New York Giants |
National League |
4 (41) |
|
Joseito Rodríguez (11) |
1916 (10/5/1916) |
Infield |
New York Giants |
National League |
5 (58) |
|
Oscar Tuero (12) |
1918 (5/30/1918) |
RHP |
St. Louis Cardinals |
National League |
3 (58) |
|
Eusebio González (13) |
1918 (7/26/1918) |
SS |
Boston Red Sox |
American League |
1 (3) |
|
Ricardo Torres (14) |
1920 (5/18/1920) |
Catcher |
Washington Senators |
American League |
3 (22) |
|
José Acosta (15) |
1920 (7/28/1920) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
3 (55) |
|
Pedro Dibut (16) |
1924 (5/1/1924) |
RHP |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
2 (8) |
|
Ramón (Mike) Herrera (17) |
1925 (9/22/1925) |
Infield |
Boston Red Sox |
American League |
2 (84) |
|
Oscar Estrada (18) |
1929 (4/21/1929) |
LHP |
St. Louis Browns |
American League |
1 (1) |
|
Roberto (Tarzan) Estalella (19) |
1935 (9/7/1935) |
Outfield |
Washington Senators |
American League |
8 (680) |
|
Fermín (Mike) Guerra (20) |
1937 (9/19/1937) |
Catcher |
Washington Senators |
American League |
9 (565) |
|
René Monteagudo (21) |
1938 (9/6/1938) |
LHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
3 (46) |
|
Gilberto Torres (22) |
1940 (4/25/1940) |
Infield |
Washington Senators |
American League |
4 (44) |
|
Jack (Angel) Aragón (23) |
1941 (8/13/1941) |
Pinch Runner |
New York Giants |
National League |
1 (1) |
|
Roberto (Bobby) Ortíz (24) |
1941 (9/6/1941) |
Outfield |
Washington Senators |
American League |
6 (213) |
|
Chico (Sal) Hernández (25) |
1942 (4/16/1942) |
Catcher |
Chicago Cubs |
National League |
2 (90) |
|
Napoleón (Nap) Reyes (26) |
1943 (5/19/1943) |
Infield |
New York Giants |
National League |
4 (279) |
|
Mosquito Ordeñana (27) |
1943 (10/3/1943) |
SS |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
National League |
1 (1) |
|
Tomás (Tommy) de la Cruz (28) |
1944 (4/20/1944) |
RHP |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
1 (34) |
|
Santiago (Carlos) Ullrich (29) |
1944 (5/3/1944) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
2 (31) |
|
Rogelio (Roy) Valdés (30) |
1944 (5/3/1944) |
Pinch Hitter |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (1) |
|
Preston (Pedro) Gómez (31) |
1944 (5/5/1944) |
Infield |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (8) |
|
Luis Suarez (32) |
1944 (5/28/1944) |
Third Base |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (1) |
|
Baby (Oliverio) Ortíz (33) |
1944 (9/23/1944) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (2) |
|
José Zardón (34) |
1945 (4/18/1945) |
Outfield |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (54) |
|
Jorge Comellas (35) |
1945 (4/19/1945) |
RHP |
Chicago Cubs |
National League |
1 (7) |
|
Armando Roche (36) |
1945 (5/10/1945) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (2) |
|
Isidoro (Sid) Léon (37) |
1945 (6/21/1945) |
RHP |
Philadelphia Phillies |
National League |
1 (14) |
|
Adrian Zabala (38) |
1945 (8/11/1945) |
LHP |
New York Giants |
National League |
2 (26) |
|
Regino (Reggie) Otero (39) |
1945 (9/2/1945) |
First Base |
Chicago Cubs |
National League |
1 (14) |
|
Moín (Ramón) García (40) |
1948 (4/19/1948) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (4) |
|
Angel Fleitas (41) |
1948 (7/5/1948) |
SS |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (15) |
|
Julio (Enríque) González (42) |
1949 (8/9/1949) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (13) |
|
Orestes (Minnie) Miñoso (43) |
1949 (4/9/1949) |
Outfield |
Cleveland Indians |
American League |
17 (1835) |
|
Luis (Witto) Aloma (44) |
1950 (4/19/1950) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
4 (116) |
|
Conrado (Connie) Marrero (45) |
1950 (4/21/1950) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
5 (118) |
|
Sandalio (Sandy) Consuegra (46) |
1950 (2/2/1950) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
8 (248) |
|
Rogelio (Limonar) Martínez (47) |
1950 (2/2/1950) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (2) |
|
Julio (Jiqui) Moreno (48) |
1950 (2/2/1950) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
4 (73) |
|
Carlos Pascual (49) |
1950 (2/2/1950) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (2) |
|
Rafael (Ray) Noble (50) |
1951 (2/2/1951) |
Catcher |
New York Giants |
National League |
3 (107) |
|
Willy (Guillermo) Miranda (51) |
1951 (5/6/1951) |
SS |
Washington Senators |
American League |
9 (824) |
|
Francisco (Cisco) Campos (52) |
1951 (9/11/1951) |
Outfield |
Washington Senators |
American League |
3 (71) |
|
Héctor Rodríguez (53) |
1952 (4/15/1952) |
Third Base |
Chicago White Sox |
American League |
1 (124) |
|
Raúl Sánchez (54) |
1952 (4/17/1952) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
3 (49) |
|
Edmundo (Sandy) Amorós (55) |
1952 (8/22/1952) |
Outfield |
Brooklyn Dodgers |
National League |
7 (517) |
|
Miguel (Mike) Fornieles (56) |
1952 (9/2/1952) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
12 (432) |
|
Camilo Pascual (57) |
1954 (4/15/1954) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
18 (529) |
|
Carlos Paula (58) |
1954 (9/6/1954) |
Outfield |
Washington Senators |
American League |
3 (157) |
|
Pedro (Pete) Ramos (59) |
1955 (4/11/1955) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
15 (582) |
|
Roman Mejías (60) |
1955 (4/13/1955) |
Outfield |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
National League |
9 (627) |
|
Vince (Wenceslao) González (61) |
1955 (4/13/1955) |
LHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (2) |
|
Juan Delís (62) |
1955 (4/16/1955) |
Third Base |
Washington Senators |
American League |
1 (54) |
|
Vicente Amor (63) |
1955 (4/16/1955) |
RHP |
Chicago Cubs |
National League |
2 (13) |
|
Lino Donoso (64) |
1955 (6/18/1955) |
LHP |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
National League |
2 (28) |
|
José (Joe) Valdivielso (65) |
1955 (6/21/1955) |
SS |
Washington Senators |
American League |
5 (401) |
|
Julio Bécquer (66) |
1955 (9/13/1955) |
First Base |
Washington Senators |
American League |
7 (488) |
|
Lázaro (Cholly) Naranjo (67) |
1956 (7/8/1956) |
RHP |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
National League |
1 (17) |
|
Chico (Humberto) Fernández (68) |
1956 (7/14/1956) |
SS |
Brooklyn Dodgers |
National League |
8 (856) |
|
Evelio Hernández (69) |
1956 (9/12/1956) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
2 (18) |
|
René Valdez (70) |
1957 (4/21/1957) |
RHP |
Brooklyn Dodgers |
National League |
1 (5) |
|
Tony (Antonio) Taylor (71) |
1958 (4/15/1958) |
Infield |
Chicago Cubs |
National League |
19 (2195) |
|
Panchón (Juan) Herrera (72) |
1958 (4/15/1958) |
First Base |
Philadelphia Phillies |
National League |
3 (300) |
|
Fernando/Freddie Rodríguez (73) |
1958 (4/18/1958) |
RHP |
Chicago Cubs |
National League |
2 (8) |
|
Osvaldo (Ossie) Alvarez (74) |
1958 (4/19/1958) |
Infield |
Washington Senators |
American League |
2 (95) |
|
Daniel (Dan) Morejón (75) |
1958 (7/11/1958) |
Outfield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
1 (12) |
|
Orlando Peña (76) |
1958 (8/24/1958) |
RHP |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
18 (427) |
|
Rodolfo (Rudy) Arias (77) |
1959 (4/10/1959) |
LHP |
Chicago White Sox |
American League |
1 (34) |
|
Miguel (Mike) Cuéllar (78) |
1959 (4/18/1959) |
LHP |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
15 (453) |
|
Zoilo (Zorro) Versalles (79) |
1959 (8/1/1959) |
SS |
Washington Senators |
American League |
13 (1400) |
|
Tony (Antonio) González (80) |
1960 (4/12/1960) |
Infield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
12 (1559) |
|
Eduardo (Ed) Bauta (81) |
1960 (7/6/1960) |
RHP |
St. Louis Cardinals |
National League |
5 (97) |
|
Miguel (Mike) de la Hoz (82) |
1960 (7/22/1960) |
Infield |
Cleveland Indians |
American League |
9 (494) |
|
Leo (Leonardo) Cárdenas (83) |
1960 (7/25/1960) |
Infield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
16 (1941) |
|
Joe (Joaquin) Azcue (84) |
1960 (8/3/1960) |
Infield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
11 (909) |
|
Borrego (Rogelio) Alvarez (85) |
1960 (9/18/1960) |
First Base |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
2 (17) |
|
Leo (Leopoldo) Posada (86) |
1960 (9/21/1960) |
Outfield |
Kansas City Athletics |
American League |
3 (155) |
|
Héctor Maestri (87) |
1960 (9/24/1960) |
RHP |
Washington Senators |
American League |
2 (2) |
|
Post-Revolution Period |
1961-2013 |
|
|
|
|
|
Berto (Dagoberto) Cueto (88) |
1961 (6/18/1961) |
RHP |
Minnesota Twins |
American League |
1 (7) |
|
Manuel (Manny) Montejo (89) |
1961 (7/25/1961) |
RHP |
Detroit Tigers |
American League |
1 (12) |
|
Orlando McFarlane (90) |
1962 (4/3/1962) |
Catcher |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
National League |
5 (124) |
|
Octavio (Cookie) Rojas (91) |
1962 (4/10/1962) |
Infield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
16 (1822) |
|
José Tartabull (92) |
1962 (4/10/1962) |
Outfield |
Kansas City Athletics |
American League |
9 (749) |
|
Diego Seguí (93) |
1962 (4/12/1962) |
RHP |
Kansas City Athletics |
American League |
16 (639) |
|
Marty (Orlando) Martínez (94) |
1962 (5/2/1962) |
Infield |
Minnesota Twins |
American League |
7 (436) |
|
Héctor (Rodolfo) Martínez (95) |
1962 (9/3/1962) |
Outfield |
Kansas City Athletics |
American League |
2 (7) |
|
Tony (Pedro) Oliva (96) |
1962 (9/9/1962) |
Outfield |
Minnesota Twins |
American League |
18 (2017) |
|
Tony (Gabriel) Martínez (97) |
1963 (4/9/1963) |
Infield |
Cleveland Indians |
American League |
4 (73) |
|
José Cardenal (98) |
1963 (4/14/1963) |
Infield |
San Francisco Giants |
National League |
18 (2017) |
|
Marcelino López (99) |
1963 (4/14/1963) |
LHP |
Philadelphia Phillies |
National League |
8 (171) |
|
Aurelio Monteagudo (100) |
1963 (9/1/1963) |
RHP |
Kansas City Athletics |
American League |
7 (72) |
|
Chico (Hiraldo) Ruiz (101) |
1964 (4/13/1964) |
Infield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
8 (565) |
|
Luis Tiant Jr. (102) |
1964 (7/19/1964) |
RHP |
Cleveland Indians |
American League |
19 (573) |
|
Dagoberto Campaneris (103) |
1964 (7/23/1964) |
Infield |
Kansas City Athletics |
American League |
20 (2328) |
|
Tony (Atanasio) Pérez (104) |
1964 (7/26/ 1964) |
Infield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
23 (2777) |
|
Sandy (Hilario) Valdespino (105) |
1965 (4/12/1965) |
Outfield |
Minnesota Twins |
American League |
7 (382) |
|
Tito (Rigoberto) Fuentes (106) |
1965 (8/18/1965) |
Outfield |
San Francisco Giants |
National League |
13 (1499) |
|
Jackie (Jacinto) Hernández (107) |
1965 (9/14/1965) |
SS |
California Angels |
American League |
9 (618) |
|
Paul (Paulino) Casanova (108) |
1965 (9/18/1965) |
Catcher |
Washington Senators |
American League |
10 (859) |
|
Minnie (Minervino) Rojas (109) |
1966 (5/30/1966) |
RHP |
California Angels |
American League |
3 (157) |
|
José Ramón López (110) |
1966 (8/21/1966) |
RHP |
California Angels |
American League |
1 (4) |
|
Hank (Enrique) Izquierdo (111) |
1967 (8/9i/1967) |
Catcher |
Minnesota Twins |
American League |
1 (16) |
|
George (Jorge) Lauzerique (112) |
1967 (9/17/1967) |
RHP |
Kansas City Athletics |
American League |
4 (34) |
|
José Arcia (113) |
1968 (4/10/1968) |
Infield |
Chicago Cubs |
National League |
3 (293) |
|
Chico (Lorenzo) Fernández (114) |
1968 (4/20/1968) |
Infield |
Baltimore Orioles |
American League |
1 (24) |
|
José Martínez (115) |
1969 (6/18/1969) |
Infield |
Pittsburgh Pirates |
National League |
2 (96) |
|
Minnie (Berto) Mendoza (116) |
1970 (4/9/1970) |
Infield |
Minnesota twins |
American League |
1 (16) |
|
Oscar Zamora (117) |
1974 (6/18/1974) |
RHP |
Chicago Cubs |
National League |
4 (158) |
|
Orlando González (118) |
1976 (6/7/1976) |
First Base |
Cleveland Indians |
American League |
3 (79) |
|
Bobby (Roberto) Ramos (119) |
1978 (9/26/1978) |
Catcher |
Montreal Expos |
National League |
6 (103) |
|
Leo (Leonardo) Sutherland (120) |
1980 (8/11/1980) |
Outfield |
Chicago White Sox |
American League |
2 (45) |
|
Bárbaro Garbéy (121) |
1984 (4/3/1984) |
Outfield |
Detroit Tigers |
American League |
3 (226) |
|
José Canseco (122) |
1985 (9/2/1985) |
Outfield |
Oakland Athletics |
American League |
17 (1887) |
|
Rafael Palmeiro (123) |
1986 (9/8/1986) |
First Base |
Chicago Cubs |
National League |
20 (2831) |
|
Orestes Destrade (124) |
1987 (9/11/1987) |
First Base |
New York Yankees |
American League |
4 (237) |
|
Nelson Santovenia (125) |
1987 (9/16/1987) |
Catcher |
Montreal Expos |
National League |
7 (297) |
|
Tony (Emilio) Fossas (126) |
1988 (5/15/1988) |
LHP |
Texas Rangers |
American League |
12 (567) |
|
Israel Sánchez (127) |
1988 (7/7/1988) |
LHP |
Kansas City Royals |
American League |
2(30) |
|
Ozzie Canseco (128) |
1990 (7/18/1990) |
Outfield |
Oakland Athletics |
American League |
3 (24) |
|
Tony Menéndez (129) |
1992 (6/22/1992) |
RHP |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
3 (23) |
|
René Arocha (130) |
1993 (4/9/1993) |
RHP |
St. Louis Cardinals |
National League |
5 (124) |
|
Ariel Prieto (131) |
1995 (7/2/1995) |
RHP |
Oakland Athletics |
American League |
5 (67) |
|
Rey Ordóñez (132) |
1996 (4/1/1996) |
SS |
New York Mets |
National League |
9 (973) |
|
Osvaldo Fernández (133) |
1996 (4/5/1996) |
RHP |
San Francisco Giants |
National League |
7 (76) |
|
Eisler (Liván) Hernández (134) |
1996 (9/24/1996) |
RHP |
Florida Marlins |
National League |
17 (519) |
|
Elieser (Eli) Marrero (135) |
1997 (9/3/1997) |
Catcher |
St. Louis Cardinals |
National League |
10 (724) |
|
Rolando Arrojo (136) |
1998 (4/1/1998) |
RHP |
Tampa Bay Rays |
American League |
5 (158) |
|
Orlando/Duque Hernández (137) |
1998 (6/3/1998) |
RHP |
New York Yankees |
American League |
9 (219) |
|
Vladimir Núñez (138) |
1998 (9/11/1998) |
RHP |
Arizona Diamondbacks |
National League |
9 (254) |
|
Michael Tejera (139) |
1999 (9/8/1999) |
LHP |
Florida Marlins |
National League |
5 (111) |
|
Jorge Toca (140) |
1999 (9/12/1999) |
Infield |
New York Mets |
National League |
3 (25) |
|
Adrian Hernández (141) |
2001 (4/21/2001) |
RHP |
New York Yankees |
American League |
3 (14) |
|
Danys Báez (142) |
2001 (5/13/2001) |
RHP |
Cleveland Indians |
American League |
10 (533) |
|
Edilberto (Eddie) Oropeza (143) |
2001 (4/2/2001) |
LHP |
Philadelphia Phillies |
National League |
4 (125) |
|
Alex Sánchez (144) |
2001 (6/15/2001) |
Outfield |
Milwaukee Brewers |
National League |
5 (427) |
|
Bill (Willy) Ortega (145) |
2001 (9/7/2001) |
Outfield |
St. Louis Cardinals |
National League |
1 (5) |
|
Hanzel Izquierdo (146) |
2002 (4/21/2002) |
RHP |
Florida Marlins |
National League |
1 (20) |
|
Juan Díaz (147) |
2002 (6/12/2002) |
First Base |
Boston Red Sox |
National League |
1 (4) |
|
José Ariel Contreras (148) |
2003 (3/31/2003) |
RHP |
New York Yankees |
American League |
11 (299) |
|
Michel Hernández (149) |
2003 (9/6/2003) |
Catcher |
New York Yankees |
American League |
3 (45) |
|
Brayan Peña (150) |
2005 (5/23/2005) |
Catcher |
Atlanta Braves |
National League |
9 (406) |
|
Yuniesky Betancourt (151) |
2005 (7/8/2005) |
SS |
Seattle Mariners |
American League |
9 (1156) |
|
Kendry Morales (152) |
2006 (5/23/2006) |
First Base |
Anaheim Angels |
American League |
7 (620) |
|
Yunel Escobar (153) |
2007 (6/2/2007) |
SS |
Atlanta Braves |
National League |
7 (937) |
|
Alexei Ramírez (154) |
2008 (3/31/2008) |
Infield |
Chicago White Sox |
American League |
6 (914) |
|
Alberto Castillo (155) |
2008 (4/28/2008) |
LHP |
Baltimore Orioles |
American League |
4 (74) |
|
Francisley Bueno (156) |
2008 (8/13/2008) |
RHP |
Atlanta Braves |
National League |
2 (26) |
|
Juan Miranda (157) |
2008 (9/18/2008) |
First Base |
New York Yankees |
American League |
4 (111) |
|
Bárbaro Cañizares (158) |
2009 (6/11/2009) |
Infield |
Atlanta Braves |
National League |
1 (5) |
|
Raúl Valdés (159) |
2010 (4/11/2010) |
LHP |
New York Mets |
National League |
4 (95) |
|
Dayan Viciedo (160) |
2010 (6/20/2010) |
Infield |
Chicago White Sox |
American League |
4 (338) |
|
Aroldis Chapman (161) |
2010 (8/31/2010) |
LHP |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
4 (205) |
|
Yonder Alonso (162) |
2010 (9/1/2010) |
Outfield |
Cincinnati Reds |
National League |
4 (321) |
|
Yunieski Maya (163) |
2010 (9/7/2010) |
RHP |
Washington Nationals |
National League |
3 (16) |
|
José Iglesias (164) |
2011 (5/8/2011) |
SS |
Boston Red Sox |
American League |
2 (144) |
|
Amaury Sanit (165) |
2011 (5/12/2011) |
RHP |
New York Yankees |
American League |
1 (4) |
|
Leonys Martin (166) |
2011 (9/2/2011) |
Outfield |
Texas Rangers |
American League |
3 (179) |
|
Yoennis Céspedes (167) |
2012 (3/28/2012) |
Outfield |
Oakland Athletics |
American League |
2 (264) |
|
Yasmani Grandal (168) |
2012 (6/2/2012) |
Catcher |
San Diego Padres |
National League |
2 (88) |
|
Eddy Rodríguez (169) |
2012 (8/2/2012) |
Catcher |
San Diego Padres |
National League |
1 (2) |
|
Adieny Hechavarria (170) |
2012 (8/4/2012) |
Infield |
Toronto Blue Jays |
American League |
2 (189) |
|
José D. Fernández (171) |
2013 (4/7/2013) |
RHP |
Miami Marlins |
National League |
1 (28) |
|
Yasiel Puig (172) |
2013 (6/3/2013) |
Outfield |
Los Angeles Dodgers |
National League |
2 (105) |
|
Henry Urrutia (173) |
2013 (7/20/2013) |
Outfield |
Baltimore Orioles |
American League |
1 (24) |
|
Onelkis García (174) |
2013 (9/11/2014) |
LHP |
Los Angeles Dodgers |
National League |
1 (3) |
|
Alex Guerrero (175) |
2014 (3/22/2014) |
Second Base |
Los Angeles Dodgers |
National League |
1 (1) |
|
José Dariel Abreu (176) |
2014 (TBA) |
First Base |
Chicago White Sox |
American League |
1 (0) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note: 39 Cubans in MLB (out of 176) earlier played in the post-revolution Cuban National Series
(*) Read Cuban baseball historian Peter C. Bjarkman’s columns at Baseballdecuba.com.
Thank you, Peter, for the very nice summary of the new Cuban ball players in the MLB.
Last Wednesday, I had the great pleasure to watch Jose Abreu slam a home run deep over the centre field fence in Phoenix Cactus League Spring Training game against the Angels. The White Socks eventually lost 14-10, but Abreu still managed to get 4 RBI’s. His performance that day supports the argument that he will be a worthy 1st baseman for Chicago.
The best part was when before the game he signed a baseball for my son. The highly touted Cuban slugger was very generous with autographs for his new fans and even gracious enough to sign the small Cuban flag I handed to him. I wish him well in his rookie season in the MLB.
Peter: the week before last, I attended a Spring training game between the Dodgers and the Texas Rangers. Yasiel Puig played, but he studiously avoided the autograph seekers by the dugout. Interestingly, I heard from a Dodgers fan in attendance that day that when Puig was excused from spring training camp a few days before then “for personal reasons”, that he in fact returned to Cuba to visit his new born daughter. Do you have any information with which to corroborate, or refute, this rumour? There’s nothing about it on the internet that I could find.