By Kris Jones Do you ever stop and think about the amount of great MLB players that come out of Cuba? Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, Jose Abreu, Jose Fernandez, the list goes on and on. There may be another one to add to that list, and he is being called “The Cuban Bryce Harper”. His name is Lazaro Armenteros. Lazaro, more commonly known by his nickname Lazarito, is a 17-year old outfielder who, like many others in Cuba, wants to be a star in the MLB. His nickname may mean little Lazaro, but he has a huge bat and killer speed for a kid his age. He started playing baseball in Cuba at age 14, but for some reason, he was banned from playing in his home country. Some say it was a political affair, or to prevent him from defecting as many other Cuban baseball players did. Whatever the case, there was no explanation by the Cuban government.
Lazarito’s family was devastated by the news, especially his father, a former Cuban national basketball player and fellow athlete. At age 16, Lazarito was forced to leave his home country in order to pursue his MLB dreams. He was relocated to the Dominican Republic and found himself ranked as one of the top 10 international prospects in the entire world behind the likes of fellow Cuban Lourdes Gurriel and Venezuelan Kevin Maitan. Most every team wanted this kid to themselves, and for good reasons, too; multiple scouts say that he has the speed of Willie Mays, the power of Bo Jackson and is expected to develop into a 5 tool player in the near future. Not a bad description for a 17-year old outfield prodigy. Lazarito was also quoted saying he wants to play like Pujols, win like Jeter, and be a legend like Roberto Clemente. He just might have a chance to fulfill his wishes, as the Oakland Athletics signed him this July. With a comparison to former athlete Yoenis Cespedes and the U.S. and Cuba’s relations strengthening, things are looking up for the potential superstar. Lazarito has finally found a home in which he hopefully won’t be kicked out of.
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Dylan EdelmanWilson Senior Archives
February 2020
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