Toppa Top 10: Top 10 Caribbean Baseball Players

Words by Jesse Serwer

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is set for tonight in Phoenix and–no shocker to anyone–the Dominican Republic is well-represented on both the American and National League rosters. We easily could have filled a list of the best active pro baseball players solely with Dominicans but in the spirit of diversity over cold statistics, we made an effort to include players from across the islands.

10. Carlos Beltran (Puerto Rico)

Back in the ’50s and ’60s, Puerto Ricans, led by the great Roberto Clemente, were the first international group to break into Major League Baseball in significant numbers. Today, there are more than 30 players from Puerto Rico in the majors but, with Iván Rodríguez and Jorge Posada nearing the end of the line and Carlos Delgado already retired, few big-name stars remain. The most recognizable Boricua baseballer currently is veteran Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran. Considered a disappointment since his arrival in New York, the oft-injured Beltran is having a stellar 2011 after missing large chunks of the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

9. Kendrys Morales (Cuba)

Barred from playing in his native Cuba after making contact with an agent, Morales defected to Florida on a raft in 2004. The first basemen was having a career-best year last season for the Los Angeles Angels, until September 10, when–after hitting what may be the most unfortunate game-winning grand slam of all time–he fractured his lower left leg while rounding home plate, and hasn’t played since. The lowly Angels eagerly anticipate his return.

8. David Ortiz (Dominican Republic)

After Ted Williams, “Big Papi” might be the most beloved player in the Boston Red Sox’ long history. In 2004, he led the team to their first World Series in nearly 100 years, then helped bring them another one just three years later in ’07. After seeing his numbers dip for the last two years, the legendary designated hitter is enjoying a renaissance this season, batting .304 with 19 homeruns as of the All-Star break.

7. Jair Jurrjens (Curacao)

Few people would associate the Dutch Antilles with baseball but Curacao has one of the strongest baseball programs in the region. A team from Curacao has made it to the Little League World Series for seven straight seasons, and even won the whole thing in 2004. Currently, the island of 142,000 has four players in the majors: the best of these is Atlanta Braves starter Jair Jurrjens, who leads the National League in both wins and ERA.

6. Mariano Rivera (Panama)

Every opposing team who plays in Yankee Stadium dreads the sound of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”: that’s the music that comes on the PA when Mariano Rivera, the greatest and most consistent relief pitcher of all-time, is called in from the bullpen. Rivera’s reputation as an unflappable stopper has even even made him a reference point in hip-hop lyrics. See Jay-Z’s “More than a relief pitcher, I’m the closer/The Mariano of the Marriott” line from Young Jeezy’s “Go Crazy.”

5. Jose Bautista (Dominican Republic)

Little known before last season, Toronto Blue Jays right fielder Bautista led the majors in 2010 with a team-record 54 home runs. He has continued his torrid hitting in 2011, becoming the first player in the majors to reach 20 home runs, and earning American League Player of the Month honors for both April and May. (In fact, he’s won those honors for four of the last five months, dating back to July of last year.) Deservedly, he led all players in voting for today’s All-Star game.

4. Jose Reyes (Dominican Republic)

Widely considered the most exciting player in baseball on account of his youthful enthusiasm and blazing-fast speed, Reyes was having the best season of his career this year after spending much of the past few years on the sidelines due to injuries. He’s hurt once again and likely to leave New York as a free agent after the season, but at least us long-suffering Mets supporters have his reggaeton career to look forward to.

3. Robinson Cano (Dominican Republic)

Though infinitely less recognizable than his neighbors in the Yankee infield, A-Rod and Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano is unquestionably the best second baseman in the Majors. To top it off, he won yesterday’s Home Run Derby, a feat pretty much unheard of for a middle infielder.

2. Alex Rodriguez (Dominican Republic)

Born in Washington Heights and raised primarily in Miami, A-Rod isn’t a product of the DR baseball system like the other Dominicans on this list but he did live there briefly as a kid. And though his sometimes off-putting personality, headline-grabbing relationships (with Madonna, Cameron Diaz and about a dozen other celebs whose names we can’t recall) and the uncanny numbers he put up in Texas and Seattle can obscure his achievements, Rodriguez has been everything he was supposed to be since signing with the Yankees in the biggest free-agent deal of all time.

1. Albert Pujols (Dominican Republic)

Having missed most of this season with a wrist injury, the Cardinals’ big-swinging first baseman won’t play in today’s All-Star Game, but he has been the most dominant offensive player in the Major Leagues for the last half-decade or more.

Honorebel Mention: Hanley Ramirez (Dominican Republic), Gio Gonzalez (Cuba), Adrián Beltré (Dominican Republic), Yadier Molina (Puerto Rico), Justin Masterson (Jamaica)