International Prospects: Matanzas, Cuba an MLB outfield haven

In the last decade, the Matanzas province in Cuba has produced a trio of high caliber international prospects all of whom have been signed by MLB teams.

Guillermo Heredia has been with three clubs in the big leagues, while Yadiel Hernández is very close to making his debut on the grand stage with Washington and Victor Victor Mesa was signed by the Miami Marlins in 2018 and was one of the top international prospects during that international signing period.

Under the tutelage of Victor Mesa, the three outfielders have impressed enough in the Serie Nacional to become perennial national team members and major league prospects.

More from Call to the Pen

• Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
• Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
• Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
• Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
• 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals

Eventually, all three could see the big leagues with each of their teams and give credence to my declaration that Matanzas had an outfield worthy of gracing the diamonds of each of there big ball clubs.

The Count of Matanzas

Guillermo Heredia made a name for himself in the 2013 World Baseball Classic with an immaculate catch against Brazil, a grab that got starter Ismel Jimenez out of a jam. That night “The Count” as he is known by the island’s faithful also pitched into the Cuban victory by driving in a run.

Heredia signed with the Mariners in February of 2016 and made his MLB debut in July pf that year. In 45 games that season he hit .250 with a round-tripper and 12 runs batted in.

His second season in the rainy city he hit .249, connected on six bombs and knocked in 24, after his third season with Seattle in which he hit .236 and established himself as a defensive presence he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Tampa acquired Heredia because of the ability to play all three outfield positions, but once again he disappointed with the bat hitting a career-low .225 and was non-tendered by the team after the season. Heredia signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent and figures to be the Bucs fourth outfielder when the season resumes.

During his six seasons in Cuba, he hit .285 with 23 homers and 121 RBI’s.

The Man from “Los Mangos”

Yasiel Hernández is an immensely talented player but seems to be caught in a log jam in the Washington National’s farm system. With the talented Adam Eaton and Bryce Harper ahead of him during his time with the ball club, also with the emergence of top prospects Juan Soto and Victor Robles, his road to the big leagues has been blocked.

Last season at the team’s Triple-A farm team the Fresno Grizzlies the slugger hit .323 while going yard 33 times and knocking in 90 runs. In 370 minor league games, he has been highly productive slashing .301/.385/.503/.887 and slugging 63 bombs.

This winter he added to his stock in the Mexican Winter League by obliterating the circuits pitching to the tune of a .338, which was second in the league and drove in 43 during the short season. Hernández would have been the league’s most valuable player if it wasn’t for the season of his countrymen Dariel Alvarez.

Of the three he had the most successful career in hitting .324 with 53 long balls and driving in 311 runs during six seasons In the Serie Nacional.

The Prodigal Son

Víctor Víctor Mesa was one of the more highly touted international prospects when he signed with Miami for a 5.25 dollar bonus in the international free agency period of 2018. He was considered the prize signing of the new regime and the beginning of a new era in Marlin’s baseball.

Many compared him to Washington’s Víctor Robles. But being the son of a legend like Victor Mesa carries a lot of pressure. Although he is a very athletic outfielder he has disappointed with the bat in his lone minor league season hitting a paltry .235 between A+ and AA last year and in spite of winning a Rawlings Gold Glove last season on the farm he most shows more the wood this year to make his way to the big show.

There was a sign of encouragement this fall in the Arizona Fall League hitting .271, driving in six runs and stealing three bases in 17 games with the Salt River Rafters. He was invited to Spring Training with the big club.

He worked all winter with hitting guru Ricardo Sosa but it was to no avail because he hit a minuscule.200 and was optioned to minor league camp. Mesa has descended from the #1 to the #26 prospect in the organization. This year will be a make or break year for the young outfielder.