MLB Playoffs: Top Latino Players to Watch in Chase for 2014 World Series
Baseball may be "America's past time," but multiple Latin American players from different territories have dominated the postseason in recent decades.
Players such as Roberto Clemente, Mariano Rivera, Sammy Sosa, Manny Ramirez, Albert Pujols and Juan Marichal are some of the most notable Latino baseball players ever and several of them have left their stamp on the game in the MLB playoffs.
That being said, just three teams remain in the chase for a chance to win the 2014 World Series. The St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants are the three teams left out of a field that began with 30, and each of these teams have Latino players in their ranks that have helped them get this far.
With just three teams remaining in the hunt for the World Series, and Hispanic Heritage Month ending, we honor the best Latino baseball players in the MLB postseason:
Kansas City Royals
Salvador Perez (Venezuela)
The Royals starting catcher has played his entire young career with the Royals. This season, Perez hit a career-high 17 home runs, which ranked second on a Royals team that ranked dead last in home runs this year. Perez didn't have a great hitting series against the Baltimore Orioles, but he had the single most memorable hit of this postseason -- a 12th inning walk-off against the Oakland Athletics in the one-game American League Wild Card elimination game.
Omar Infante (Venezuela)
What a great signing by the Royals this past off-season. The 32-year-old Infante had a productive season this year for the Royals with 133 hits and 21 doubles. In the American League Championship Series against the Baltimore Orioles, Infante batted an impressive .308 at the plate. Watch for this second baseman to be a factor in the World Series.
Alcides Escobar (Venezuela)
Venezuela just keeps showing off their baseball talents. This time, shortstop Alcides Escobar makes our list. Escobar has been displaying incredible defense with diving saves and double plays. Escobar led the Royals with 165 hits this season, and this postseason he has 10 hits in eight games, which the Royals have all won.
Kelvin Herrera (Dominican Republic)
Kelvin Herrera and manager Ned Yost have created an incredible pitching staff. With starting pitcher James Shields getting much-needed wins, and Greg Holland getting ninth inning saves, Herrera has been middle inning magician along with Wade Davis. Herrera had an eye-popping 1.41 ERA this season, and has allowed just one run in this entire postseason.
San Francisco Giants
Pablo Sandoval (Venezuela)
Pablo Sandoval is no stranger to the big moment. Sandoval has won two World Series championships, and in 2012, he was the World Series MVP against the Detroit Tigers. This postseason, Sandoval has 12 hits and an impressive .308 batting average.
Santiago Casilla (Dominican Republic)
Madison Bumgarner is the man in San Francisco, but Santiago Casilla is having a great year. Last season, he missed much of the season after knee surgery, but his 19 saves rank second on the team. Casilla has been perfect this postseason so far not allowing a single run in his four reliefs. Casilla has allowed just one hit as well.
Yusmeiro Petit (Venezuela)
The Giants have their x-factor player, and his name is Yusmeiro Petit. After a decent regular season, Petit is 2-0 in these playoffs with victories against the Washington Nationals and Cardinals. Nobody really expected Petit to be a huge factor, but heading forward, this could spell trouble for the Royals. In his nine playoff innings pitches, Petit has allowed one hit and zero runs.
St. Louis Cardinals
Jhonny Peralta (Dominican Republic)
After four seasons with the Tigers, Peralta joined the Cardinals. He played terrific this regular season with 147 hits and 21 home runs. Peralta and the Cardinals currently trail the Giants 1-3 in the National League Championship Series.
Oscar Taveras (Dominican Republic)
No team scouts better than the Cardinals. Rookie outfielder Oscar Taveras had a good first season with 56 hits. Taveras is also batting .500 this postseason for the Cardinals, and has a bright future with the team.
Kolten Wong of Hawaii is also having a great off-season with a team leading three home runs for the Cardinals.
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