A-1 BASEBALL: CUBAN SPECIAL - EARLY SEASON STATS

The talent flow coming out of Cuba recently has been impressive. More than a few members of the elite Cuban National Team are now stateside in MLB. They keep opening doors for future Cuban players and setting a high standard talent-wise. I'll take a look at some early season numbers (up to May 1) of 8 well established regular players with some brief comments about each one.

The WAR calculations by Fangraphs includes values for defense, base running and offense all rolled up into one neat number. It tries to capture the total value of the player, not only offense which is the most obvious.

Name Age PA avg/obp/slg WAR 2014 $$

Alexei Ramirez 32 121 .351/.375/.535 1.0 9.5

Yunel Escobar 31 113 .223/.286/.330 0.4 5.0

A. Hechavarria 25 113 .282/.321/.398 0.1 0.5

Dayan Viciedo 25 100 .348/.410/.528 0.8 2.8

Jose Abreu 27 128 .270/.336/.617 1.0 7.0

Yoenis Cespedes 28 102 .258/.343/.494 0.3 10.5

Yasiel Puig 23 113 .309/.394/.505 1.3 2.0

Leonys Martin 26 103 .308/.357/.396 0.8 2.8

ALEXEI RAMIREZ

The best of the 3 Cuban shortstops so far. Usually a slow starter, Alexei is off to the best start of his career. With decreasing power numbers the last few years he's showing the best power since his rookie year (.475 slugging). His numbers will regress quite a bit but he should end up having a nice season providing steady defense and good base running.

Alexei Ramirez in action vs Cleveland (zimbio.com)

YUNEL ESCOBAR

Off to a slow start just like last year. He's normally been a little better than Alexei Ramirez most years but maybe 2014 will be different. His offense is in the tank right now and has already made 4 errors on defense compared to 7 all of 2013. Expect better numbers as the season goes on.

Yunel Escobar at Tropicana Field (zimbio.com)

ADEINY HECHAVARRIA

Showing a lot of improvement over 2013 with a positive number. Last year was all negative. Getting a lot of playing time with the Marlins so he should develop. Still in the learning curve, he's showing a better approach at the plate. Some defensive lapses on routine plays.

Adeiny Hechavarria at Marlins Park (zimbio.com)

DAYAN VICIEDO

There seems to be some progress here. His walk rate has jumped (5.1 to 10%), his strikeout rate has dropped (20.7 to 15%) and his Out of Zone Swings has dropped from 37.5 to 29.4% over 2013 showing better plate discipline. Old habits die hard and that is the challenge as his base running and defense are below average.

Dayan Viciedo at Cellular Field (zimbio.com)

JOSE ABREU

Abreu has gotten off to a record breaking start (10 HR by a rookie in April). Pitchers have to recognize him as a good hitter and have to make quality pitches to get him out. He looks solid but an adjustment period must come as he gets more exposure. The best offensive player in the group of 8 but his negative base running and defense pulls down his overall value. Has the highest Out of Zone Swings of this group with 39.1%. The 3 Cuban players on the Chisox, Ramirez, Viciedo and Abreu account for 2.8 of the 4.1 WAR (68%).

Jose Abreu at Comerica Park (zimbio.com)

YOENIS CESPEDES

Has shown improved plate discipline. Walk rate up from 6.4 to 11.8% and K rate down from 23.9 to 15.7%. Gets pull happy sometimes. Right now is rated below average on defense and base running despite lots of tools. Should improve but needs to refine his game some more. Solid RBI guy. Highest paid player of the group.

Yoenis Cespedes vs Seattle Mariners (zimbio.com)

YASIEL PUIG

Started slow but is heating up. The youngest of the group at 23, Puig has shown much better plate discipline especially on pitches out of the strike zone dropping from 37 to 25.4% in the early season. Base running value is negative so far but he's only slightly behind Abreu as an offensive player. The money is on Puig to lead this group in WAR this year.

Yasiel Puig vs Colorado at Dodger Stadium (zimbio.com)

LEONYS MARTIN

Martin does everything above average. Not a great hitter but makes up value with excellent base running and high quality defense at the premium CF position. The only player of the group with positive numbers in all categories. Needs to improve his contact rate as his K% is up to 23.3, the highest of the group.