The Major League Baseball trade deadline has come and gone. It's up to the players to win the games now and make the playoffs as the general managers hands are tied. There's no denying that baseball is America's past time, but it may just be Latin America's present time. Despite so many small countries and territories, they are dominating the game at the highest rate.

With less than one third of the season remaining, there are a lot of key players to keep a close eye on. Here are five Latin American born players who you must watch down the stretch.

1. José Abreu

Rookies aren't supposed to lead the entire league in home runs, only Abreu didn't get that message.

The Cuban slugger has hit 31 home runs so far for the Chicago White Sox while batting over .300 in the process. The White Sox are just two games under .500 and the playoffs are a possibility. Abreu is having one of the best rookie seasons in MLB history, and the future looks great in the South side of Chicago.

2. Johnny Cueto

The 28-year-old from the Dominican Republic is having his breakout season. This year, he's 12-6 for the Cincinnati reds with a 2.05 ERA, which both rank among the league's best. There's a good chance Cueto will receive a lot of National League Cy Young votes because of his dominance this season. Cueto also ranks among the best in strikeouts and strikeout-to-walk ratio.

3. Wily Peralta

It's been great to see Peralta finally find his touch. After struggling in the past, Peralta has a Major League leading 13 wins. The 25-year-old Dominican born pitcher has guided the Milwaukee Brewers to a 61-49 record. They are currently in first place in the National League Central, even ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. It will be interesting to see if he can keep it up and prove his doubters wrong.

4. Féliz Hernández

David Price has been the big pitching name in the baseball world because of his recent trade from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Detroit Tigers. However, Hernández is just 11 strikeouts behind him and will eventually take over American League lead for strikeouts. Hernández hails from Venezuela and is a five time MLB All-Star. Unfortunately, the Seattle Mariners find themselves in the toughest division in baseball, the American League West, where they will have to battle all season long to win.

5. Yasiel Puig

Puig is one of the most exciting players in the league. He either makes an incredible play or he messes up making an instant blooper. The last two months he's been in a slump, for his standards. Although his long ball hasn't been taking off as many expected, Puig is still batting .319 at the plate and the Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves in first place in the National League West at 62-48. Puig knows the lights will be shining bright and it's his time to shine.

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