Mexican League: Cubans to miss season due to LMB’s cancellation

With the cancellation of the Mexican League, a number of Cuban players will be out of work this summer.

When the Mexican League announced it would not play baseball this season a few days ago, it put plenty of Cubans out of a job for the season, especially those who make their residence on the island.

Cesar Prieto who is Cuba’s most promising prospect was signed to play in Tabasco this season after having back to back dominating seasons in the Serie Nacional. In 2018 he burst on to the scene with Cienfuegos when hit .379 and broke Kendrys Morales’ rookie record for hits in a season. He was named the rookie of the year that year.

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Last season the talented infielder hit .352 and distinguished himself in Cuba’s 2019 incursion in the Can-Am League hitting a blistering .322. This might have led to him being signed.

The Saltillo Saraperos were going to field a mini Team Cuba this season, six players of Cuban birth were going to be a part of the roster and Joan Carlos Pedroso was supposed to be the batting coach.

Josuan Hernández returns to Saltillo after a productive season in the Mexican Winter League that saw him hit seven homers and knock in 38 runs with Los Mochis in 67 games. In 101 games with Saltillo last season the versatile player hit .309 with 14 long balls and 72 runs batted in.

Dariel Álvarez also makes his return to the Saraperos, last season in between Saltillo and Tijuana hit went yard 18 times and knocked in 80 runs. Henry Urrutia is the most productive bat returning to the team from the largest of the Antilles. The ex-big leaguer hit .370 with 33 dingers and 100 RBI’s to have the most productive season of any Cuban in the Aztec circuit.

The additions of the talented Carlos Juan Viera and Lázaro Blanco fortify a weak Saltillo pitching staff.

In Monterrey Félix Pérez was supposed to return for his sixth season with the Sultans. The slugger from the Isle of Youth hit 30 homers last season with Monterrey and leads all of Mexico in round-trippers since 2015 with 114.

Ex-Astros prospect Yoanys Quiala was to make his debut in the Mexican League this season after winning the pitcher of the year in the Mexican Winter League. The flamethrowing righty led the league in wins (9), WHIP (0.98), innings pitched (87.2), and was second in ERA (2.57). He was also second in the circuit in K’s with 71. My sources tell me that Quiala’s fastball was clocked at 98 mph this winter.

Cubans who signed to play in the Mexican League this season:

• Ronnier Mustelier (INF) – Tabasco Olmecas
• Yoanni Yera (LHP) – Tabasco Olmecas
• Cesar Prieto (2B) – Tabasco Olmecas
• Raico Santos (OF) – Tabasco Olmecas
• Roel Santos (OF) – Tabasco Olmecas
• Carlos Juan Viera (RHP) – Saltillo Saraperos
• Lázaro Blanco (RHP) – Saltillo Saraperos
• Josuan Hernández (Util) – Saltillo Saraperos
• Henry Urrutia (OF) – Saltillo Saraperos
• Dariel Álvarez (OF) – Saltillo Saraperos
• Daniel Carbonell (OF) – Campeche Pirates
• Jorge Martínez (RHP) – Yucatán Lions
• Yoanner Negrín (RHP) – Yucatán Lions
• Yadir Drake (OF) – Yucatán Lions
• Carlos Sierra (RHP) – Durango Generals
• Yoanys Quiala (RHP) – Tijuana Toros
• Félix Pérez (OF-1B) – Monterrey Sultans
• Elian Levya (RHP) – Puebla Parakeets