The spring trainings in Major League Baseball (MLB) have their turbines on. The franchises have begun to train for the coming campaign. Recent acquisitions of the market and established figures have been reported to their respective training camps. The day by day, training, the work of rigor begins to undertake the assault to MLB.
Some of the Cuban stars of the Big Show were optimistic in these early days of enlistment. One of the Cuban emblems, Cienfuegos´ José D. Abreu, has initiated his preparation. “This season I can not say I will have the same numbers, or better, I can only say that I will try to give my best every day to help the team to win,” the slugger told MLB.com.
The American League Rookie of the Year in the last season, not content with his colossal stats, now aims to reach the postseason with the Chicago White Sox. “I’m trying to be in the best possible shape for the season, but not only for the first part. I want to play more than 162 official games. I know I have to save my energy for a long campaign and not just for the first few weeks, “he added.
Abreu is not intimidated under pressure from the press by the statistics collected the previous year: “If the stats are the same as last year, it is okay. But my main focus right now is to try to be the best player possible and help the team. ”
Meanwhile, another who has returned to the arena is Yasiel Puig. The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder reported one week in advance to one of the Training camps of the squad located in Glendale, Arizona.
Upon arrival at the training he told ESPN that “now, I am more committed with the team and with the public. I’m more mature than ever and I know I have the potential as well as the Dodgers. I know I can be one of the best and we have everything to be champions. ”
Puig, also added that in the alleged downtime after finishing the season he did not stop at all. “I’ve learned to observe the way in which some of the most consistent players work and train”, the latter referring to several tips received from Robinson Cano, stellar Dominican second baseman of the Seattle Mariners when both were part of the MLB team that toured Japan a few months ago.
Meanwhile, Yasmany Tomas, one of the new Cuban promises arriving to MLB, begins his adaptation to the new circuit. Several media specialized in the Arizona Diamondbacks have reported that in the first defensive practices he has not been quite well playing in third base.
In the days he has attended the training camp, Tomas has not reached a performance in line with expectations, especially when fielding ground balls. “Tomas has seemed uncomfortable when fielding grounders and seems not to have the best technique to play in that position,” argues the site Arizona Republic.
We should add that in Cuba, Yasmany Tomas almost always played in the outfield and he only played as third baseman rarely. But for Chip Hale, Arizona Diamondbacks head coach; this is the place he is going to play in the team. “We want to see him in action and see how he reacts. As long as we see he is progressing, it’ll be fine. He has worked very hard, “said Hale in the final practice session of the Diamondbacks.
Another Cuban who has started his preparation is José Iglesias, shortstop of the Detroit Tigers. The young infielder, who missed due to injury most of the 2014 season, is now back having as counselor and technical chief of the position in the franchise, the 11-time winner of the golden glove, Omar Vizquel.
Recently, via Twitter, Iglesias commented on a photo in which he was seen alongside Vizquel during training: “Listening to one of the best in my position, Omar Vizquel. I am a person blessed to have him as a coach and friend. “Before starting the preseason, the Tigers stated they would put Iglesias under the orders of the Venezuelan to “try to take maximum of the potential of the Cuban to play in shortstop.”
Here a list of all Cubans who have started training this spring with MLB franchises:
Chicago White Sox: José Dariel Abreu, Alexei Ramirez, Adrián García Nieto and Onelkis.
Angeles Dodgers: Yasiel Puig, Yasmani Grandal, Alexander Guerrero and Erisbel Arruebarruena.
Cincinnati Reds: Aroldis Chapman, Raisel Iglesias, Brayan Peña and Félix Pérez.
Chicago Cubs: Jorge Soler, Francisley Good and Armando Rivero.
Boston Red Sox: Rusney Castillo, Dalier Hinojosa (Yoan Moncada is not incorporated).
San Diego Padres: Odrisamer Despaigne and Yonder Alonso.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Yasmani Tomas and Yoan Lopez.
Atlanta Braves: Dian Toscano and Yenier Bello.
Baltimore Orioles: Henry Urrutia and Dariel Álvarez.
Miami Marlins: José Fernández and Adeinis Hechevarria.
Detroit Tigers: Yoennis Céspedes and José Iglesias.
New York Yankees: Eddy Rodriguez.
Kansas City Royals: Kendry Morales.
Seattle Mariners: Roinier Elias.
Texas Rangers: Leonys Martin.
San Francisco Giants: Daniel Carbonell.
Anaheim Angels: Roberto Baldoquín.
Philadelphia Phillies: Miguel Alfredo González.
Washington Nationals: Yunel Escobar.
St. Louis Cardinals: Aledmis Diaz.
