Above: Robinson Cano
By the Caribbean Journal staff
The Caribbean seems to be taking over the baseball world. From David Ortiz’s postseason heroics to the rookie-season surge of Yasiel Puig, the region continues its rise as perhaps the single-greatest source of baseball talent in the world. And there are a number of Caribbean players to keep an eye on for 2014, from young talents from the Dutch Caribbean to established stars from the region’s powerhouse, the Dominican Republic.
Xander Bogaerts, SS, Boston Red Sox (Aruba)
If the Caribbean has a breakout star for 2014, it’s almost certainly Bogaerts, whose late-season surge helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series last year. Bogaerts, a native of San Nicolaas, Aruba, is considered the top prospect in all of baseball. Can he live up to his all-star potential?
Robinson Cano, 2B, Seattle Mariners (Dominican Republic)
Cano, the former Yankees star, signed a gargantuan 10-year, $240 million contract to play for the Seattle Mariners. But can he maintain his all-star numbers in one of baseball’s notorious pitcher’s parks and make the transition to being the leader of a team? It will be fascinating to watch.
Yasiel Puig, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers (Cuba)
Puig was nothing short of a phenomenon last year, almost single-handedly bringing the Dodgers from the National League West basement to the playoffs. But his often heated temperament didn’t win him many friends, and the question this year will be whether he can contain his emotions enough to prove that he wasn’t a flash in the pan last year.
Jose Fernandez, P, Miami Marlins (Cuba)
Fernandez, a native of Santa Clara in Cuba, shocked the baseball world last year by finishing second in all of baseball in Earned Run Average. (Obviously that was enough to win him Rookie of the Year). Now, the question is whether he can keep it up and, if so, can he take it to the next level and become baseball’s premier right-handed pitcher?
David Ortiz, 1B/DH, Boston Red Sox (Dominican Republic)
At the ripe age of 37 last year, Ortiz had a sparkling season for the Sox, socking 30 home runs with 103 RBI and a .309 batting average. He was even better in the playoffs, winning the World Series MVP trophy with a mind-blowing .688 batting average. Age has meant little to him so far — but will that continue to be the case?
Carlos Beltran, OF, New York Yankees (Puerto Rico)
Beltran is among the most underrated baseball players of recent memory. Now in the twilight of his career, he remains a threat at the plate, and he’s hoping to win his first World Series title after signing a free-agent contract with the New York Yankees. Can he help fill the void left by the departure of Robinson Cano? (Something he did quite well in St Louis after the departure of Albert Pujols) His power benefit from playing at Yankee Stadium, a park that is always friendly to left-handed hitters.
Jose Abreu, 1B, Chicago White Sox (Cuba)
Abreu, a former MVP of the Cuban league, signed with the White Sox in the fall of 2013 after defecting a few months prior. He has serious power, and will be looking to fill the shoes of longtime Sox star Paul Konerko, who will be retiring at the end of the year. But will his power translate from Cuba to US Cellular Field?
Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas Rangers (Curacao)
Profar is part of a stellar young pool of talent from the Dutch Caribbean, and while he will miss the first 10-12 weeks of the season with a muscle tear in his right shoulder, he should be one of the more dynamic middle-infielders in the game when he returns.
Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers (Dominican Republic)
Beltre has become one of the most consistent power threats in the major leagues, after being relatively inconsistent earlier in his career. He returns to Texas after a sensational year last year, with 30 homers, 92 RBI and a .315 average. But he’s also got serious mileage: he’s 35, now in his 17th season, and that will be something to watch in 2014.
Anibal Sanchez, P, Detroit Tigers (Venezuela)
Sanchez, a native of the northern Venezeulan city of Maracay, had a sensational year last year pitching for the Detroit Tigers, finishing with a 2.57 ERA in 182 innings. Now, the former Marlins star will look to replicate his success and help the Tigers in their bid to return to the World Series.
Alex Guerrero, 2B, Los Angeles Dodgers (Cuba)
The talented middle-infielder signed a four-year, $28 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers following his defection last year, so expectations are high. But while started the season with the big club during the Dodgers’ season-opening trip to Sydney, he was recently optioned to AAA. That shouldn’t be the case for long, however.