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Yankees Sign 6'6" Outfielder Ernesto Martinez Jr.

12/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The New York Yankees signed Cuban outfielder Ernesto Martinez Jr. to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation.
Martinez Jr. is 6-foot-6 and weighs 245 pounds.
He owns a career minor league batting average of .270 and 17 home runs per 144 games.
Martinez showed .529 average in 2025 at Triple-A Nashville, despite injuries.
The contract includes opt-out clauses in June and July if he is not called up.

History

Historical Context

The Cuban Revolution, which culminated in 1959 with Fidel Castro's overthrow of Fulgencio Batista, drastically altered Cuba's political landscape. Following the revolution, over 100 Cuban baseball players defected to the U.S. by the 1980s, as Major League Baseball teams sought talent from the island. This trend reflects the broader impact of political upheaval on sports and cultural exchange between Cuba and the United States.

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Story summary

The New York Yankees signed Cuban outfielder Ernesto Martinez Jr. to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation.
Martinez Jr. is 6-foot-6 and weighs 245 pounds.
He owns a career minor league batting average of .270 and 17 home runs per 144 games.
Martinez showed .529 average in 2025 at Triple-A Nashville, despite injuries.
The contract includes opt-out clauses in June and July if he is not called up.

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