The 2018 Major League Baseball season is officially underway. With the new year comes a new influx of talent on the field. Some of these players are unknown to major league fans while others are players who bided their time and are finally ready to have breakout seasons. And with that in mind here is a division-by-division breakdown of the Latino peloteros you should pay attention to this season.
American League
East
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays
If ever the phrase “the son also rises” were appropriate this is it. The son of the 2018 Hall of Fame inductee is like his father in many ways. He hits for power, he plays with speed, and he’ll begin his career in Canada. Guerrero Jr. just turned 19 and he’s already reached the AA level in the Blue Jays minor league system. Since beginning his career in 2016 he has hit for an average of .300 or better at every level of the minors. He’s also maintained an on base percentage of .400 or better.
While he’s not an outfielder like his father, he’s just as fundamentally sound as the elder Guerrero. He’s also one of MLB’s top 10 prospects. This one is special folks, so don’t be surprised if you see him get some at-bats in Toronto later this year.
J.D. Martinez, Boston Red Sox
At 30-years-old Martinez has been around the block. After breaking in with the Houston Astros, finding his way with the Detroit Tigers, and becoming the final piece that guided the 2017 Arizona Diamondbacks to the postseason for the first time since 2011, Martinez has finally been rewarded for paying his dues.
During the off-season the Red Sox gave the Cuban-American a five-year, $110 million contract to not only keep the BoSox among the ranks of playoff contenders, but to also help them regain their championship ways. Joining a team that already has Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Hanley Ramirez, Martinez and the Red Sox are favored to repeat as division champions in 2018.
Central
Eloy Jimenez, Chicago White Sox
As the White Sox continue their rebuilding process, the 21-year-old Jimenez continues to stand out as a future MLB star. Brought over in last year’s Jose Quintana trade with the Cubs, the Dominican Republic native never lost a step as he continues to smash home runs, make solid defensive plays, and skyrocket through the minor league ranks. Jimenez is a major reason why Baseball America ranks the White Sox as having a top 10 minor league system. He’ll begin this season at the AA level, but if he continues to destroy opposing pitching he could make his major league debut this summer.
Eddie Rosario, Minnesota Twins
The youth movement is underway in the Twin Cities. It’s a movement that helped guide the Twins last year to their first playoff berth since 2010. Rosario being an integral part of that run, as performed soundly with a slash line of .290/.328/.507/.836 with 27 home runs and 87 RBI’s. Entering his fourth major league season, the Twins are pushing for their first division crown since 2010 and they’ll need Rosario to continue to produce at a high level to achieve that goal.
West
Emilio Pagan, Oakland Athletics
Pagan reached two milestones in his young career in 2017; he was a member of Puerto Rico’s World Baseball Classic team, and he made his major league debut with the Seattle Mariners. In 34 games with Seattle last year Pagan finished with a 2-2 record, a 3.22 ERA and a WHIP of 0.93. He proved to be effective in small samples last year and now he’s ready to give his skillset a full season in Oakland. The A’s won’t be a contender this year but Pagan gives them solid hope for the future.
National League
East
Hector Neris, Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies are in rebuild mode and Neris has been one of the few stabilizing forces during this process. Spending over $130 million during the offseason to reposition themselves as postseason contenders if the Phillies are to make their first playoff appearance since 2011, Neris will be required to take his new role as the team closer to the next level. Since the Dominican-born right-hander made his MLB debut in 2011 he’s pitched in 186 games. His record (11-11) is at the .500 mark and he’s thrown for 196 1/3 innings and has accumulated 230 strikeouts to just 66 walks, along with 28 saves, a WHIP of 1.18 and 2.98 earned run average.
If the Phillies offense can put up the runs, were pretty certain Neris can hold opponents at bay when the ninth inning comes along.
Central
Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs
At just 25 years of age this Venezuelan has fast tracked his way up the big-league ladder. His ascent in the Cubs organization was rather fast. His call up from AAA was earlier than expected during the 2016 season due to injuries at multiple positions. Contreras got plenty of playing time as he can play first base and roam the outfield in addition to catching. And if ya didn’t know, he can also hit the stitching off the ball.
He finished the season as an off-the-bench contributor for the history making World Series championship team that year. He became the starter last season after some roster moves but injuries slowed him down slightly. With the Cubs eyeing another championship on 2018, Contreras is expected to be a major contributor as the Cubs look to make their fourth straight postseason. With career numbers of a .278/.356/.494/.851 slash line with 33 home runs and 109 runs batted in, Contreras is an All-Star in the making.
West
Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies
Arenado has become the face of the Rockies franchise over the last few seasons. We like to call him tres. Why? During the last three seasons the 26-year-old has been a three-time All-Star, won three Gold Glove Awards, three Silver Slugger awards, three Fielding Bible awards, was named Wilson Defensive Player of the Year three consecutive times. He also led the NL in both home runs and RBI’s for both 2016 and 2017.
Arenado was the driving force behind last year’s Rockies squad that won a Wild Card spot and made their first playoff appearance since 2009. He’s a dark horse MVP candidate who’s showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. This year he’ll be looking to get back to the playoffs, possibly claim a division title, get another All-Star nod, and probably pick up some more awards along the way.
Time to play ball!
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