Who is Hector Olivera?

Hector Olivera is the latest Cuban prospect to be in high demand amongst major league ball clubs. When he defected Cuba after the 2013-14 season, Baseball America had him ranked as the 6th best Cuban prospect. Now, the 29-year old is looking for a job stateside in MLB.

Had Olivera defected three seasons ago, the landscape was a little different. He was one of the most feared hitters on the Cuban National team. He came to prominence after appearing in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and then earning MVP honors at the 2011 Intercontinental Cup. He was touted as a 5-tool player who showed the potential to hit for average and power, while displaying blazing speed and solid defense. He was the perfect specimen to be a big second baseman, standing at 6’2” and 195. The future was his and set out in the 2011-12 season to prove it.

Olivera seemingly did no wrong in that 2011-12 season. He batted .341 with 17 home runs while striking out just 22 times in 214 at bats. He went on to win the home run derby at the 2012 All Star Game. But then a freak injury occurred.

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Olivera sat out the entire 2012-13 season with a blood clot in his left biceps. This was no minor injury and it has since raised some eyebrows that Olivera, entering his year-30 season, comes with a big risk. Olivera has not appeared in any international competition although he did return to the playing field this past season. Offensively he didn’t miss a beat, as he hit .316 with 7 home runs and just 25 strikeouts in 273 at bats. What is frightening, however, is that he only appeared in 29 games at second base while playing the majority of his games as the designated hitter.

It won’t keep big league teams away now that he can sign in the US. Billy Brost of Yanks Go Yard has reported that the he could be a possible option at second base for the New York Yankees. They haven’t been aggressive this postseason in addressing a hole that has been left wide open since Robinson Cano left town. While many feel that their top prospects Jose Pirela and Rob Refsnyder have earned their shot to compete, you can never rule the Yankees out from opening the checkbook and bringing in some high-priced talent.

Joel Stimmlich of CSNBayArea.com reports that the Oakland As who are in complete rebuild mode may be in the hunt for an international star to fill a hole in their infield. The As, who gambled on and found success with Yoenis Cespedes, have shown they aren’t hesitant to jumping into the international market for talent.

Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports HardBall Talk has also hinted that the Washington Nationals and the San Diego Padres are also entering the mix. This is understandable as the new Padres regime may want to turn the page on the Jedd Gyorko experiment who has played well, but has not met the enormous expectations placed upon him. The Nationals just lost Asdrubal Cabrera and will be looking for a new go to guy up the middle.

So, is all the hubbub surrounding Olivera worth the hype? Here’s what we know. Before the blood clot, Olivera was a superstar who never hit below .318 and smacked it around above .340 three times. He’s good for about 15 home runs a year in Cuba’s shorter seasons and he rarely strikes out. He is also no spring chicken, and 30-years of age comes with a lot of baggage. The aforementioned blood clot is certainly an issue, and his days of being a standout second baseman are no sure thing.

Olivera is the biggest name that isn’t Yoan Moncada out there. The recent contracts of Cuban superstars like Jose Abreu, Cespedes and Yasiel Puig will not make it easy to sign Olivera. He is a pretty large gamble, but he could reward the team that takes the risk greatly if he stays healthy.

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