Oscar Colás: From Major Leagues to Toros del Este

Oscar Colás: From Major Leagues to Toros del Este

The Latest Addition to Toros del Este: Oscar Colás

Oscar Colás, a Cuban outfielder with Major League Baseball (MLB) experience, has been signed by the Toros del Este, a professional baseball team based in La Romana, Dominican Republic. The announcement was made after the team’s general manager, Jesús Mejía, discovered that Colás was available to participate in the winter ball of the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). Mejía described Colás as an “impact player,” a talent they could not afford to overlook.

Colás: A Promising Player

Colás has had a commendable year, playing in 53 games in Triple-A, where he had a batting average of .278, an on-base percentage of .350, and a slugging percentage of .474. His impressive stats include hitting 14 doubles, nine home runs, and batting in 29 runs. In the major leagues, he played in 75 games, where he hit nine doubles, five home runs, and batted in 19 runs.

Renowned as a left-handed batter and defender, Colás is anticipated to bring significant value to the Toros del Este. He is scheduled to arrive in the Dominican Republic on November 10 to play in the second half of the season, demonstrating the team’s commitment to enhancing its roster and improving its performance in the forthcoming games.

A Deep Dive Into Colás’ Career

Colás began his professional baseball journey in the Santiago de Cuba of the Cuban National Series in the 2016-2017 season. In 2017, he was dispatched as a developmental player to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, where he performed in informal matches against various teams. By 2019, he signed a contract with the Hawks as a registered player under control and debuted against the Saitama Seibu Lions. He marked his debut with a home run at his first Plate appearance in the Pacific League.

However, in 2020, Colás defected from Cuba, seeking to sign on with a Major League team. After being officially declared a free agent by Major League Baseball, he signed with the Chicago White Sox in 2022. His signing bonus was an impressive $2.7 million. Colás spent the 2022 season split between three White Sox affiliates: the High-A Winston-Salem Dash, Double-A Birmingham Barons, and Triple-A Charlotte Knights. In 117 games among the three clubs, Colás slashed .314/.371/.524 while tallying 23 home runs, 79 RBIs, and three stolen bases.

Colás’ MLB debut came in 2023, recording a hit as a pinch hitter. He batted .211 with one home run and seven RBIs in 25 games before being optioned to Charlotte. In 48 games for Charlotte, he batted .293 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs before he was promoted to the major leagues in July.

Looking Ahead: Colás and the Toros del Este

With Colás’ arrival, the Toros del Este are poised to strengthen their lineup and improve their performance in the upcoming games. As a player with both Major League and international experience, Colás will bring a fresh dynamic to the team. His performance in the second half of the season will surely be a focal point for fans and analysts alike.