Strong Latino contingent brings culture, energy, plenty of talent
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.» Last year, Latino players comprised 25% of players on opening-day rosters. That diversity is reflected on the Rockies this spring, as nine of the players on the team’s 40-man roster hail from either Venezuela or the Dominican Republic.
Within the clubhouse and on the field, those Latino players bring obvious talent, yes, but also collective energy teammates feed upon.
“They bring that Latin flavor — they’re always very happy, because as players, we’ve come from a long ways to get here and we’ve overcome many obstacles,” said Rockies special assistant Vinny Castilla, a native of Mexico. “We enjoy it every day and those guys bring a lot of joy, happiness and energy to a clubhouse. “
The “Latin Quarter” can easily be spotted in any clubhouse the Rockies inhabit, whether at Salt River, Coors Field or visiting digs.
Telltale signs are the card table and the Connect Four set up alongside dominoes and/or various other games. And, there’s the boisterous joking and laughing as early as 7:45 a.m. here in Scottsdale.
“We are usually louder and rowdier, no matter what the time,” reliever Carlos Estevez said with a laugh. “You don’t see that a lot from our American teammates because we just didn’t grow up the same way. Our culture is loud, it’s about being
funny with each other, and when a team has a (subculture) like that, it can cause a spark, even in spring training.”
The Rockies have long looked to Latino players for that spark.
From original Blake Street Bombers in Castilla and Andres Galarraga, to the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales, Manny Corpas, Jorge de la Rosa and Yorvit Torrealba in the 2000s, and through the more recent past of Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra, Colorado will again heavily rely on Latinos in 2020.
This year’s Latino cast at Salt River is headlined by right-hander German Marquez (Venezuela), outfielder Raimel Tapia (Dominican Republic) and Estevez.
“We are all very close,” Marquez said. “We have the younger Latino guys here for the first time, we have veterans like Ubaldo and (Venezuelan catcher) Elias Diaz in camp (as non-roster invitees). We all help each other with the language, with getting used to the United States, making sure to help with each other’s families here and back home.”
Five other Venezuelans on the 40-man — right-handers Antonio Senzatela, Jairo Diaz, Jose Mujica, Jesus Tinoco as well as outfielder Yonathan Daza — are each capable of breaking through this season. Rounding out the cast is prospect Antonio Santos, the second-youngest pitcher on the roster.
Castilla said one of his primary duties is serving as a cultural ambassador for the Latino players as well as other up-and-coming Latino prospects.
“This is a big part of my job — talking to them, making sure they feel comfortable, addressing any questions or doubts they have,” Castilla said. “Baseball, language, culture, how to handle adversity in a tough league in a foreign country. It can be a lot for these very young players to handle by themselves.”
Many of the Latino players are still trying to relocate members of their immediate or extended family to the United States. That’s especially true in the case of the team’s players from Venezuela, where the socioeconomic and political crisis is crippling the country.
“Everything is still the same back home — I can’t lie about that,” said Daza, who is still trying to get his mother a visa. “But having this brotherhood here truly helps, and it helps me keep my focus on growing as a person and as a player.”
And while the ruckus from the clubhouse’s Latin Quarter is sure to remain steady throughout the season, Estevez is quick to echo Castilla’s sentiment by reminding fans he and other Latinos throughout the game feel like they’re playing for a lot more than themselves.
“When you get here, it’s like, ‘Wow, I made it,'” Estevez said. “But you know how many teammates, how many friends and all the family and people you left behind to accomplish that. They were trying to do what you are doing right now, or they’re rooting you on from thousands of miles away. I’m living the dream for everyone I know, and for that I feel grateful.”