• Submitted by: Camila
• Sports
• 10 / 24 / 2014

---

The performance of the Cuban players was without doubt outstanding and completed during the season of Major League Baseball in this 2014 five Cubans were included in the All Star Game, they would have been six if José Fernández had not injured. This year 25 Cubans, including 8 rookies, have played in the league.

Among the players who made waste of talent during the season are include: Jose Dariel Abreu, Yasiel Puig, Alexei Ramirez, Aroldis Chapman and Yoernnis Céspedes, all included in the All Star Game.

Josa Dariel Abreu averaged 5.5 of Wins Above Replacement (WAR) and was reported as a player from 25 HR and 85 RBI. He was second in OPS (964) in the AL only surpassed by Victor Martinez, Rookie of the Month three times (April, June and July) and two Player of the Month (April and July). Broke the HR record for rookies franchise Ron Kittle (35 in 1983) with 36 is the Rookie of the Year and, in addition, will be nominated for the Most Valuable Player Award and the Hank Aaron Award.

Yasiel Puig earned a 5.4 WAR and was sixth in the league in OBP and tenth in Wins over replacement. Although he still have many details to polish has proved without doubt that he is a star player.

Alexei Ramirez with 3.3 WAR returned to power this season with 15 HR and 52 hits. His actions declined from August and still returned to hit over 170 hits and steal more than 20 bases. He could be nominated for a Gold Glove while the offense could take home his second Silver Slugger.

Aroldis Chapman reached 2.7 WAR and he hasn’t achieved a Cy Young because he is a  because bullpen pitcher and he plays in the same team of Clayton Kershaw. He made 106 strikeouts in 54 innings and only allowed 24 BB and a HR. Chapman broke the record for K / 9 ratio in a season with 17.67 strikeouts per nine innings. The previous record was 16.6 with Craig Kimbrel.

Yoennis Cespedes managed 1.3 WAR and although he was mired in a controversial season after being traded to Boston won for the second consecutive year the Home Run Derby at the All-Stars and drove in 100 runs.

For examples like these is why most Cuban players dream to leave the island and join the majors leagues. Sadly this factor is what is causing the National Series of baseball in Cuba today do not have the same quality as years past.

Source: OnCuba