Cuban National Players in MLB v2019

[Havana] For the third year we feature Cuban national baseball players who are play in MLB (Major League Baseball).

I was in Havana on my way to Estadio Latinoamericano when MLB, the MLB Players Association and the Cuban Federation reached a historic agreement allowing Cuban nationals to achieve a path to play in the MLB. The agreement eliminated the need for players to defect or leave under negative circumstances. Unfortunately, four months later the Donald Trump administration maintained its posture of dismantling anything viewed as positive which the Obama administration was part of, and abruptly canceled the agreement. In the meantime, many have adopted a slogan adopted by MLB last year which simply states, “Let the kids play!!!!”

Ranked #5 in the World

Baseball is still an important part of Cuban culture. With a population of approximately 11 million their impressive ranking is 5^th as determined from the World Baseball Confederation. While it is great that MLB fans get a first-hand opportunity to see the players perform, one can only imagine how good the national team would be had there not been defections, which have impacted the talent pool?

25 player v 40 player?

This year’s edition has been expanded to include the 40-man roster instead of the 25-man roster. This was done since technically they are eligible to play at a moment’s notice.

To understand the difference please read here

25 player roster – known as the Active Roster – A club’s 25-man roster is its full roster of active Major League players.
40 player roster – The 40 Man roster is the group of players who are eligible to be added to the active (25 man) roster.

Currently there are 25 players who are Cuban nationals who meet the criteria. Of the thirty MLB teams, Houston is the leader with five players.

CUBAN NATIONAL PLAYERS ON MLB 40 MAN ROSTER
Teams	2019	2018	2017	Change 2019 v 2018
TOTALS>>>	25	20	0	5
Arizona Diamondbacks	1	0	1	1
Atlanta Braves	0	0	2	0
Baltimore Orioles	0	0	0	0
Boston Red Sox	0	0	1	0
Chicago Cubs	0	0	0	0
Chicago White Sox	3	2	2	1
Cincinatti Reds	3	1	1	2
Cleveland Indians	0	2	1	-2
Colorado Rockies	0	0	0	0
Detriot Tigers	0	1	1	-1
Houston Astros	5	2	0	3
Kansas City Royals	1	0	1	1
Los Angeles Angels	0	1	1	-1
Los Angeles Dodgers	1	2	2	-1
Miami Marlins	0	1	1	-1
Milwaukee Brewers	1	0	0	1
Minnesota Twins	0	0	0	0
New York Mets	2	1	1	1
New York Yankees	3	1	1	2
Oakland Athletics	0	0	1	0
Philadelphia Phillies	0	0	0	0
Pittsburgh Pirates	0	0	0	0
San Diego Padres	0	0	0	0
San Francisco Giants	0	0	0	0
Seattle Mariners	1	2	2	-1
St. Louis Cardinals	1	0	1	1
Tampa Bay Devil Rays	2	1	1	1
Texas Rangers	0	0	0	0
Toronto Blue Jays	1	3	0	-2
Washington Nationals	0	0	0	0