Soler, 26, may be inexperienced in the United States, but he pitched five seasons in the Cuban league.

Contreras pitched for 10 years in the Cuban league and had a heavy workload.

Fleitas made 537 game appearances over 13 seasons in the Cuban league.

That year Bell led the Cuban league in Runs (96) and Slugging (722).

He was considered the fastest second baseman in the Cuban leagues and the star of the Villa Clara team.

The Cuban league ran on fumes for a decade until Castro's takeover spelled the end of professional baseball on the island altogether.

In the American, Pacific, and both Cuban leagues, there is a tenth player, a designated hitter, who bats for the pitcher.

Ordonez learned to play shortstop from his father, who played in a Cuban professional league and was, according to Rey, "better than I'll ever be."

Contreras, who is 6-foot-4, went 13-4 with a 1.76 earned run average in the Cuban league this season.

Another is Ariel Betancourt, who led the Cuban league with 20 goals last year.