Over 400 players of Venezuelan descent have played in Major League Baseball since Alex Carrasquel became the first to do so in 1939. On the opening day of the 2024 MLB season, Venezuela had 58 players on Major League rosters, good for third-most among all countries. Here are the top 11 Venezuelan players in the history of the MLB.
1. Miguel Cabrera
He just retired in 2023, but Miguel Cabrera’s 21-year career is the greatest in Venezuelan history, regardless of recency bias. He won the Triple Crown in 2012 with the Tigers, the first player since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967. A World Series champion with the Marlins in 2003, a back-to-back MVP in 2012 and 2013, a member of the 500+ home run club with 511, and a career .901 OPS make Miguel Cabrera one of the most dominant hitters in the last three decades and a no doubt hall of famer.
2. Johan Santana
A 12-year MLB Veteran, the southpaw born in Tovar, Venezuela, carved out a great career for himself. He spent most of his career in Minnesota with the Twins, winning two American League Cy Young awards in three years in 2004 and 2006. He signed with the New York Mets in 2008 and threw the franchise’s first career no-hitter in 2012. His dominance at his peak puts him at the number two spot on this list.
3. Luis Aparicio
The first true Venezuelan superstar in the MLB, Aparicio is the only Venezuelan player currently in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He played 18 years in the majors with the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox at shortstop. He stole more than 50 bases four times, was the 1956 Rookie of the Year, was a 13-time All-Star, and was a nine-time Gold Glove winner. Most importantly, he paved the way for Venezuelan players in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s for decades to come.
4. Bobby Abreu
A big-time slugger, Abreu played 18 seasons in the MLB for six teams, racking up a career .870 OPS. Abreu had his best years with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1998 to 2006, winning the Home Run Derby in 2005. He was traded mid-season to the New York Yankees in 2006 and was a key contributor to their playoff runs in his three seasons there.
5. Felix Hernandez
A six-time All-Star, Hernandez only pitched in the MLB for the Seattle Mariners from 2005 to 2019. He won the AL Cy Young in 2010 and threw the 23rd perfect game in MLB history in 2012. He finished with a season ERA under 3.00 four times, struck out 2524 batters, and redefined the win-loss record evaluation for pitchers with his dominance.
6. Omar Vizquel
One of the most accomplished defenders in the history of the game, Vizquel has 11 career gold gloves at shortstop. He enjoyed his best offensive seasons with Cleveland, winning the AL pennant with them in 1997. He played 24 seasons in the majors, earning a career 45.6 WAR.
7. Jose Altuve
The heart of the Astros for the past 14 seasons, Altuve is one of the best offensive second basemen in history. A nine-time All-Star, Altuve has helped the Astros win two World Series titles in 2022 and 2017. His involvement with the Astros cheating scandal leaves him at number seven.
8. Ronald Acuna Jr.
A bright young player, Acuna joins the list of players to win both Rookie of the Year and MVP. The 2024 MVP is currently nursing an injury; Acuna is only 26. He could climb up on this list if he continues on his current trajectory.
9. Dave Concepcion
A member of the big red machine, Concepcion spent his entire 19-year career with the Cincinnati Reds of the 1970s and 1980s. A nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove recipient, Concepcion could enter the Hall of Fame as a part of the eras committee in later years.
10. Carlos Zambrano
Zambrano was possibly as dominant of a pitcher as any in the mid-2000s. In his time with the Chicago Cubs, he not only finished in the top five for NL Cy Young voting three times but also was one of the best-hitting pitchers in the entire National League, earning him three Silver Slugger awards.
11. Salvador Perez
Perez has carved out a possible Hall of Fame Career for a catcher. A World Series champion with the Kansas City Royals in 2015, he has nine All-Star appearances and five Gold Glove awards.
Honorable Mentions: Magglio Ordonez, Victor Martinez, Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Gonzalez, Andres Galarraga
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WBN MLB: https://worldbaseball.com/league/mlb/
Photo Credit: Miguel Cabrera #24 of the Detroit Tigers reacts after his last game ever and win against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park on October 01, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)