Panama plays small part in Major League Baseball

PANAMA. With only four ballplayers among the 229 born outside of the United States, Panama represents less than one percent of the foreigners in the Major Leagues, despite being considered one of the strongest countries when it comes to baseball.

Carlos Lee, from the Houston Astros; Carlos Ruiz, from the Philadelphia Phillies; Manuel Corpas from the Colorado Rockies; and Mariano Rivera from the New York Yankees are the Panamanian quartet in Major League Baseball this season.

Manuel Acosta, From Colon, who until the end of the 2008 season was still part of the Atlanta Braves, was relegated to the team’s Triple A Minor League affiliate when he did not fulfill expectations during Spring training.

With only four ballplayers, Panama holds the seventh place worldwide, and the fifth place within Latin America in numbers of nationals in the Major League.

However, there is still hope for Panama’s return to the top three in the list, as there are many locals in the Minor League that could be called to the MLB next year.

Ruben Tejada, from Veraguas, is a viable, promising prospect for the New York Mets. As for pitchers, Randall Delgado from Los Santos (Atlanta Braves) has been closely watched after his great performance.