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Cuba lost some of its top players as they signed blockbuster deals to come over and play in the MLB. Each team hopes their guy follows in the footsteps of last year’s Cuban defector Jose Abreu, who hit 36 home runs, 107 RBI and a .317 batting average, winning the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2014. There are four Cubans who could not only be legit major leaguers, but could be a valuable pick in your upcoming fantasy draft.
Yasmany Tomas - ARI, OF
At 24-years-old, Tomas left Cuba to join the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he signed a six-year, $68.5 million deal during the 2014 offseason. Tomas is expected to play third base and outfield for the D-backs. This already raises his fantasy level as you can plug him in at a few spots in your lineup.
According to MLB.com, Tomas hit a combined .290/.345/.504 in five seasons with the Industriales in Serie Nacional. With a 6-foot built and 230 lbs. on him, Tomas is an imposing hitter, but he only hit six homers in his last season in Cuba and he is extremely strikeout prone. He did compete in the latest World Baseball Classic, posting a 1.224 OPS with two homers. Tomas should be a latter round pick in most standard fantasy drafts
Yoan Lopez - ARI, RP
The right-handed 21-year-old will also be leaving Cuba for the D-Backs. Lopez has three years of experience in Serie Nacional as well. He signed an $8.27 million bonus in January. His upside is high not only because of his age, but he will be pitching in the National League, which will shave a solid chunk off his ERA compared to the American League.
During his time in Cuba, he posted a 3.76 ERA, but more walks than strikeouts, according to MLB.com. The 6’4”, 190-pounder hits 100 mph on the gun frequently. With a wide open race for Arizona’s starting rotation, Lopez could be a late-round fantasy draft pick this year or he might be a free agent you want to grab early. He's more valueable in keeper leagues.
Raisel Iglesias - CIN, SP
Now a member of the Cincinnati Reds, the 24-year-old left Cuba a year ago with hopes of being a mainstay on the main roster. He showed the Reds what he could do when he dominated the Arizona Fall League, allowing one hit in seven one-inning appearances. Cincy wants to take the reliever and make him a starter.
In Serie Nacional, he was mostly a relief pitcher and was the go-to guy out of the bullpen in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. With Aroldis Chapman as the closer, don’t expect a rookie closer here. Keep an eye on Iglesias in the middle of the season as he might find his way as a starter by then, but he can be safely ignore in all but the deepest NL-only leagues.
Rusney Castillo - BOS, OF
Castillo is expected to be a legit candidate for AL Rookie of the Year as he will likely play center field for the Boston Red Sox. He signed a record-setting seven-year, $72.5 million deal to defect from Cuba. Unlike the others, Castillo briefly played in the minors in 2014 as well as 10 games on the main roster. In 46 plate appearances, he hit a combined .293/.370/.463 with Boston’s Triple-A affiliate with one home run. In September, he hit a combined .333/.400/.528 with two homers in 40 PA.
He’s the first one you should draft among the four Cuban defectors as he has the highest upside plus the best numbers in Serie Nacional, hitting .315/.380/.501 during his two best seasons. He has the great combo of speed and power, which could make for solid numbers playing in the AL East and half his games at hitter-friendly Fenway Park.
