The Dodgers signed a pair of Cuban infielders to free agent contracts last winter. Here is a look at the one who made the most impact on the major league team in 2014, shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena.
What went right
Outside of a shaky start in Double-A, Arruebarrena hit in the minors, .291/.335/.490 in 43 games after leaving the Lookouts for good in May, and not only in the offensive friendly Triple-A.
Arruebarrena made his major league debut on May 23, and was 5-for-16 (.313) with a double and a walk before getting hurt in July.
Arruebarrena's defense, the unquestioned strength of his game according to scouting reports at the time of his signing, at the very least passed the eye test, though in the miniscule sample of 116 major league innings ended up below average by total zone rating, ultimate zone rating and defensive runs saved.
What went wrong
The first-year shortstop had trouble staying on the field, missing three weeks in July with a right hip flexor strain and over a week in August with right shoulder inflammation.
Arruebarrena hit just .208/.252/.302 to start in 25 games in Double-A Chattanooga, but that happened to also be his first professional games in several months after defecting from Cuba.
He suffered through an 0-for-16 slump in August and September that didn't end until a single on the final day of the regular season.
He was also at the center of a brawl with Triple-A Albuquerque on July 26, the seeds of which were sown with Arruebarrena taking his sweet time to round the bases the night before. Arruebarrena was suspended five games for his role in the fracas.
2014 particulars
Age: 24
Salary: $9 million, including his $7.5 million signing bonus and a base salary of $1.5 million
Game of the year
In just his third major league game, Arruebarrena was 2-for-4, including his first major league RBI, in a 6-0 win over the Phillies on May 25. He also handled all three ground balls and both pop flies hit his way, helping Josh Beckett to his no-hitter.
Roster status
Arruebarrena has four years and $16 million remaining on his contract, and with 74 days of service time won't be a free agent until after 2020 at the earliest. Arruebarrena has two option years remaining.