Jose Abreu better than Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig?
Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig have both made big impacts in the major leagues since defecting from Cuba. However, Cuban baseball expert and author Peter Bjarkman told USA Today White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu might be the best of the bunch.
"Abreu is a better hitter than either Puig or Cespedes, and he should be the best (biggest impact) Cuban player to come to the majors during the three decades of the defectors era," Bjarkman said. "Abreu is definitely the real deal."
Cespedes calls Abreu a four-tool player, citing he only lacks speed, but he added the 6-3, 255-pound slugger has "got a very good future."
Though he has yet to play a game, the White Sox seem happy with what they have seen from Abreu.
"We've seen his big-time power to all fields, which is probably the tool for which he gets the most notoriety," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "But we really view him as an all-around quality hitter. He's very serious about his craft, prepares very well, knows the strike zone. He's up there to do damage but also gives you a quality at-bat."
