Written by: Gabriella Grundy
With the Major League Baseball (MLB) postseason underway, teams are fighting in the Divisional Championship Series this week to secure their spots in the League Championship Series (LCS), beginning Oct. 13. The World Series is expected to start on Friday, Oct. 25, but could be bumped up to Oct. 22 if both LCS conclude by Oct. 19.
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s almost impossible to discuss baseball without recognizing the impact of Hispanic players and their influence in shaping professional baseball as we know it today. As the largest minority group in the MLB, Hispanic players comprise nearly 30 percent of MLB team rosters. Here’s a highlight of some key Hispanic players with significant roles in their teams’ postseason campaigns.
Teoscar Hernández (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Winner of the 2024 Home Run Derby and two-time All-Star, Hernández’s two-run RBI single gave the Dodgers the lead over the Padres in the National League Championship Series on Oct. 5. Hernández led all position players with 154 games played, and is expected to land a hefty multi-year deal in the upcoming offseason.
Manny Machado (San Diego Padres) – Machado has been a cornerstone for the Padres since he signed a 10-year, $350 million contract with them in 2019, the fifth-largest deal in baseball history. The third baseman is the Padres’ all-time home run leader and has an extraordinary arm. He is a six-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove Award winner and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2020.
José Ramírez (Cleveland Guardians) – The Guardians’ superstar third baseman was robbed of one last chance to become MLB’s second-ever 40-homer, 40-steal, 40-double player, instead finishing 39-41-39 since the last scheduled game of the regular season was rained out. Ramírez is a six-time selectee to the MLB All-Star Game and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner.
Juan Soto (New York Yankees) – Soto continues to be one of the most dangerous hitters in the league as one of the top home run hitters in the 2024 season, with 41 home runs. Soto has won the Silver Slugger Award four times and is a four-time All-Star.
While the Atlanta Braves lost the Wild Card series against the Padres last week and did not advance in the postseason, a Hispanic MLB player who has quickly become a fan-favorite is Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Braves. Acuña, a three-time Silver Slugger and four-time All-Star had an extraordinary 2023 season, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 70 bases in a single season. When he was promoted to the major leagues in 2018, he became the youngest player in the MLB at that time.
In the last decade, Hispanic players in the MLB have infused a lot of energy and culture into the game. From playing style to walk-up songs, the contributions of Hispanic baseball players have brought a new level of excitement and upped the standards of athleticism in professional baseball.
