Top 10 best Dominican baseball players to ever play the game

Dominican baseball players have significantly impacted Major League Baseball (MLB). The Dominican Republic has produced many talented players who have become some of the best in the sport's history. These players are known for their exceptional skills, particularly in hitting and fielding, and their passion for the game.

How many Dominican baseball players are in the MLB? As of the start of the 2023 MLB season, they are 152 on Major League Baseball (MLB) rosters, which is the second-highest number of foreign-born players in the league after those from Venezuela. Their number in the MLB has steadily increased in recent years, with many young players from the Dominican Republic being scouted and signed by MLB teams. Here is a comprehensive description of the top 10 best Dominican baseball players who ever played the game.

10. Tony Fernandez

Tony Fernandez was a Dominican baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1983 to 2001. Fernandez played for several teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, and Cleveland Indians. He was a five-time All-Star and won four Gold Glove awards for his defensive prowess.

Who is the best baseball player of all time? The 10 greatest baseball players ever ranked

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Fernandez won the World Series with the Blue Jays in 1993 and was named the American League Championship Series MVP. Fernandez retired with a .288 career batting average and over 2,200 hits. He also ranks in the top 100 all-time in doubles and stolen bases.

9. Jose Bautista

Jose Bautista is a retired Dominican baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2004 to 2018. Bautista played for several teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies. He was a six-time All-Star and won three Silver Slugger awards. Bautista is best known for his time with the Blue Jays, where he hit 54 home runs in 2010 and led the American League in home runs for three consecutive seasons (2010-2012).

Bautista retired with 344 home runs, which ranks 102nd on the all-time home run list. He also ranks in the top 100 all-time in walks and slugging percentage. Bautista was mainly known for his clutch hitting in important games, including his memorable bat flip after hitting a home run in the 2015 American League Division Series.

8. Manny Ramirez

Manny Ramirez is a retired Dominican-American baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1993 to 2011. Ramirez played for several teams, including the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago White Sox. He was a 12-time All-Star and won the American League batting title in 2002. Ramirez also won the World Series twice with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007.

Ramirez retired with 555 home runs, which ranks 15th on the all-time home run list. He also ranks in the top 30 all-time in RBIs and extra-base hits. Ramirez was mainly known for his postseason heroics, including his MVP performance in the 2004 World Series.

7. Robinson Cano

Robinson Cano is a smooth-fielding second baseman with a potent bat and one of the best Dominican baseball players ever. He has been named to eight All-Star teams and has won five Silver Slugger Awards. Cano has a career batting average of .303 and 334 home runs.

Cano played for the Yankees from 2005-2013 and was a five-time All-Star during his tenure with the team. He won a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger award in 2010 and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice.

6. Alfonso Soriano

Alfonso Soriano is known for his combination of power and speed and is one of history's top Dominican baseball players. He hit 412 home runs during his career and stole 289 bases. Soriano was a seven-time All-Star and won the Silver Slugger Award four times.

Soriano played for the Yankees from 1999-2003 and again in 2013. He was a seven-time All-Star and won the Silver Slugger award twice. Soriano was also the first player in MLB history to have at least 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in the same season.

5. Sammy Sosa

Sammy Sosa is a retired Dominican baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1989 to 2007. Sosa played for several teams, including the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, and Baltimore Orioles. He was a seven-time All-Star and won the National League MVP award in 1998. Sosa also won six Silver Slugger awards and was known for his memorable home run duels with fellow slugger Mark McGwire during the 1998 season.

Sosa retired with 609 home runs, which ranks ninth on the all-time home run list. He also ranks in the top 50 all-time in RBIs and extra-base hits. However, Sosa's legacy has been overshadowed by allegations of performance-enhancing drug use, which he has denied.

4. Juan Marichal

Juan Marichal is a retired Dominican baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1960 to 1975. Marichal spent most of his career with the San Francisco Giants, winning over 20 games in a season four times and leading the league in three strikeouts. He was a ten-time All-Star, finishing his career with a 243-142 and a 2.89 ERA.

Marichal was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, becoming the first Dominican-born player to receive that honour. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers of his era and remains an important figure in the history of baseball in the Dominican Republic.

3. David Ortiz

David Ortiz, also known as "Big Papi," is a retired Dominican baseball designated hitter and first baseman who played Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1997 to 2016. Ortiz is considered one of the greatest designated hitters in MLB history and is known for his clutch hitting and leadership. He played most of his career with the Boston Red Sox, winning three World Series championships in 2004, 2007, and 2013. Ortiz was a ten-time All-Star and won the Silver Slugger award seven times.

Ortiz retired with 541 home runs, which ranks 17th on the all-time home run list. He also ranks in the top 50 all-time in RBIs, doubles, and extra-base hits. Ortiz was known for his postseason heroics, including a walk-off home run in Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series that helped lead the Red Sox to their first World Series championship in 86 years.

2. Vladimir Guerrero

Vladimir Guerrero is a retired Dominican baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1996 to 2011. Guerrero played for several teams, including the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles. He was a nine-time All-Star, won the American League MVP award in 2004, and won eight Silver Slugger awards. Guerrero also won a Home Run Derby and was known for his ability to hit pitches that were well outside of the strike zone.

In 2018, Guerrero was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility. He is the third player from the Dominican Republic to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, after Juan Marichal and Pedro Martinez.

1. Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez is a retired Dominican baseball pitcher widely regarded as one of the greatest ever. Martinez played for several teams, including the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies. He was a three-time Cy Young Award winner, an eight-time All-Star, and won a World Series championship with the Red Sox in 2004.

Martinez also led the league in ERA five times and strikeouts three times. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, cementing his status as one of the greatest pitchers ever.

Why are there so many Dominican baseball players?

There are so many Dominican baseball players because of the country's rich baseball culture, the abundance of baseball talent, and the Dominican Republic's emphasis on developing young players. The Dominican Republic remains a significant source of talent for MLB teams, and many of the game's most exciting players continue to come from this small Caribbean nation.

Many famous Dominican baseball players have played for some of the biggest teams in MLB, including the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays. The most notable Dominican baseball players include Pedro Martinez, Vladimir Guerrero, David Ortiz, Sammy Sosa, and Manny Ramirez. These players have won numerous awards and accolades and have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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