The Dominican Republic Olympic qualifying team has a truly impressive roster. With a roster loaded with star power and some of the top prospects in the game, they have to be considered one of the favorites to come out of the pool and advance. If that is the case, several former members of the Toronto Blue Jays will have played a major part.
The Dominican team has a distinct Blue Jays feel. Four former members of the franchise – Jose Bautista, Emilio Bonifacio, Melky Cabrera, and Juan Francisco – will be a part of the island nation’s hopes of reaching the Olympics.
Toronto Blue Jays represented by Dominican Republic team
Bautista is easily the most recognizable name on the roster. While he has been attempting to make a comeback as a relief pitcher, he is listed as an outfielder for the Dominican qualifying team. He was a six time All Star and three time Silver Slugger, leading the AL in homers twice over his career. With 344 career homers, he will be one of the premier sluggers in the tournament.
Bonifacio does not have nearly the same sort of resume, but he was a solid major leaguer in his own right. The utility man spent parts of 12 years in the majors, playing with eight different franchises. Capable of playing anywhere aside from pitcher and catcher, and with solid speed over his career, he is a solid addition to the roster.
Cabrera is also a former All Star, winning the All Star Game MVP award in his only appearance. He technically won the batting title in 2012, but had that mark scrubbed due to a positive PED test, something that he had requested. Nonetheless, Cabrera had been a solid bat in his career, finishing just shy of 2000 hits.
Francisco has the least impressive major league resume of any of the quartet of former Blue Jays, but he did reach the double digit mark in homers twice. He spent 2015 in Japan and 2017 in Mexico, and since that point, has played Winter Ball in the Dominican, primarily for Licey.
The Dominican Republic Olympic Qualifying roster will have a distinctly Canadian feel. A quartet of former Toronto Blue Jays will be a part of the squad.