MLB: 5 Underrated Latin American Baseball Players You Should Know About
We all know about the Miguel Cabrera's and Albert Pujols' of the world, but there's quite a bit of underrated Latin American players this year you should be watching.
Here are five underrated Latino players to keep an eye on.
1. Danny Salazar
The Cleveland Indians have a good young pitcher in Danny Salazar. Salazar has been asked to increase his role and pitch count each year, and he's done just that. This season Salazar has a 3.72 ERA, and he has increased his win total the last three consecutive seasons. Salazar is sometimes compared to Ricky Vaughn from "Major League" because of his control issues, but high strikeout rates. Like Vaughn, he's an exciting pitcher to watch.
2. Carlos Correa
What a special player this young kid is. Carlos Correa was the first ever Latin American born player selected No. 1 overall in the MLB draft when the Houston Astros picked him in 2012. After impressing baseball scouts in his homeland of Puerto Rico, Correa eventually made his way to the mainland United States. He's only 20 years old, but Correa is batting .298 this season with an impressive .538 slugging percentage. What's even scarier is the fact that his defense has been just as good. Thanks to Correa's incredible rookie season thus far, the Astros are currently in first place in the American League West ahead of the Los Angeles Angels.
3. Paulo Orlando
Paulo Orlando is just a rookie, but he's been a triple machine for the Kansas City Royals this year. Orlando, who grew up in Brazil, is a fast base runner who is always a threat when he gets on base. He is also the first player in MLB history to have three triples in his first three career at bats. He'll have to improve his batting average going forward, but Orlando has shown average power when given the chance.
4. Jaime Garcia
The best Mexican pitcher in the game today resides in St. Louis with the Cardinals. The Cardinals have the best record in the entire league at the moment. Jaime Garcia underwent shoulder surgery last season, but he's bounced back respectively. This year Garcia has 2.0 ERA and a more than four to one strikeout to walk ratio. His overall pitch count has been down, and he's being used more as a situation pitcher, but Garcia makes the most of his outings when he's on the mound.
5. Carlos Martinez
There's a reason the Cardinals are in first place- they know how to scout better than any other team, especially internationally. Carlos Martinez has guided the Cardinals to the best team ERA in all of baseball this season. The 23-year-old Dominican pitcher has spent his three year career with the Cardinals, and he has dramatically improved every season. This year Martinez has a 2.34 ERA with 11 wins and four losses. Martinez has the second most wins in the National League this season, and he was voted into the All-Star game earlier this year. Martinez's wins, strikeouts, ERA and pitch count have all improved every season.
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1
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