Why 25U? Because even international free agents who signed 10 signing classes ago, such as Nomar Mazara, German Marquez, or Adalberto Mondesi, are still just 25 years old.
The number 25 is also symbolic of the fact that Latin American players crossed the 25-percent threshold of all major league plate appearances and innings in 2015 and have built on that share in the years since.
Some Latin American countries—Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Nicaragua—saw their highest-ever number of major leaguers in 2019. Others such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Curacao are just a tick below historical high-water marks.
The table below from TheBaseballGauge.com lists the number of major league players born in each country, their total plate appearances or innings in 2019 and estimated wins above replacement from Baseball Reference.com.
Now let's take a closer look at the Latin American countries making a mark on Major League Baseball, With a focus on 25- and under big leaguers and prospects who will make their marks in the 2020s
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
152 players in 2019 (highest total ever)
The island of 10.5 million people has been the No. 2 talent supplier to the major leagues every year since 1982. The ranks of the Dominican Hall of Famers increased threefold in the 2010s as Pedro Martinez and Vladimir Guerrero joined Juan Marichal. Look for David Ortiz, Adrian Beltre, and Albert Pujols to join that Hall trio this decade.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2020-Ausgabe von Baseball America.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July 2020-Ausgabe von Baseball America.
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Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
SUMMER STANDOUTS
The top prospects in summer college leagues are poised to impact the 2025 draft
FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE TOP 10
Last year’s Florida Complex League prospect crop has been beset by lengthy injuries to many of its top players, including Yankees pitchers Henry Lalane and Carlos Lagrange, Mets infielder Marco Vargas and Red Sox catcher Johanfran Garcia.
IN WITH THE NEW
The 2024 draft is in the books. The trade deadline is history.
WALCOTT BLASTS OFF
It took some time for Rangers shortstop Sebastian Walcott to find his footing at High-A Hickory.
A RECORD NIGHT FOR COLLEGIANS
Four key takeaways from the 2024 draft
K.C.MASTERPIECE
Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wins games for the Royals with his bat, glove, speed and baseball IQ. He might be the most tooled-up player in the game.
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.
