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MLB Players: The all-time Cuban team, Part 1 (The Professionals)

By Yusseff Diaz

BALTIMORE - AUGUST 12: Rafael Palmeiro #25 of the Baltimore Orioles watches from the dugout as his team plays against the Toronto Blue Jays August 12, 2005 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Palmeiro returned to his team yesterday following a 10 day suspension for testing positive for steroid use, but did play as the Blue Jays defeated the Orioles 12-0. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE - AUGUST 12: Rafael Palmeiro #25 of the Baltimore Orioles watches from the dugout as his team plays against the Toronto Blue Jays August 12, 2005 at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. Palmeiro returned to his team yesterday following a 10 day suspension for testing positive for steroid use, but did play as the Blue Jays defeated the Orioles 12-0. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images) /

Today, we put together a team as part one of a two-part series on the best Cuban players of all-time. Let’s take a look at who makes the team.

Making an all-time team is not easy. Especially when it comes to Cuban players. What makes it more difficult than any other country is the fact that the country was closed off to MLB in 1961.

In my opinion, it isn’t fair to include Serie Nacional stars with professional players due to the fact that the amateur Cuban players never faced big league pitchers. Because of that fact I’m going to make a professional league team and a Serie Nacional team in this two part series.

More from Call to the Pen

Ever since Esteban Bellan took the field for the Union of Morrisania in 1868, Cubans have been coming over and starring in the best baseball in the world. Today’s team will be comprised of only players who have played in professional circuits such as MLB and the Negro Leagues.

This piece is to educate on the history of Cubans in professional baseball and inspire a spirited but respectful debate amongst the masses.

Catcher:

Yasmani Grandal is having a very solid career as we speak. The native of Melena del Sur, Cuba is easily the most decorated catcher from the island in baseball history.

In his eight seasons, he’s been selected to two all-star games and averages 26 homers per season. Although he only hits .241 for his career, his .348 OBP and .446 slugging percentage are very solid numbers for a position that is more defensive than offensive.

Sabermetrically speaking, his WAR of 32.6, wRC+ of 118, and BABIP of .280 are also solid.

Behind the plate, he isn’t too shabby either. He has a fielding percentage of .989 and only 40 errors in 6,271 innings. Though his sabermetrics aren’t too favorable, his handing of pitching and 26% CS percentage isn’t below average. The backstop is also a wall when it comes to smothering pitches.

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