Cuban baseball will once again enjoy a stellar presence on the summer’s brightest stage. When the lights of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game turn on at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park this coming July 15, eight players of Cuban heritage will take the field to reaffirm the immense influence the island continues to exert on the world’s best baseball.
Ranging from established starters and veterans making history to stars enjoying the best seasons of their careers, the Cuban contingent arrives at the Midsummer Classic with talent to suit every taste. The lone National League starting outfielder will be Andy Pagés, who has firmly established himself as a key offensive weapon for the Dodgers.
The Havana native has combined power, production, and consistency to become one of the league’s most dangerous hitters. His selection also carries historical significance: he will be just the sixth Los Angeles outfielder to start an All-Star Game before turning 26—joining an elite group that includes names like Yasiel Puig, Cody Bellinger, and Joc Pederson. Joining him is Cuban-American Sal Stewart, the Cincinnati Reds’ young sensation. Born in Miami, Stewart has lived up to expectations with a breakout season that positions him among today’s top baseball prospects.
His selection, alongside pitcher Chase Burns, marks a milestone for a franchise that has rarely gathered so much young talent for a single All-Star Game.
