Neither Venezuela nor Cuba: this country tops the MLB foreigner charts once again
We take a look at the breakdown of non-U.S. players plying their trade in Major League Baseball in the 2025 season.
The history of Major League Baseball cannot be told without discussing migration. Ever since the first overseas players joined the National League from Cuba in the 19th century, the diamond has been a meeting point for global talent.
And if there is one nation that has not only been a part of North America’s elite baseball league, but has shaped the very essence of the game, it is the Dominican Republic.
How many Dominicans are in MLB in 2025?
This year, once again, the small Caribbean country has emerged as the great non-U.S. factory of MLB talent, with a total of 100 players across the league’s 30 teams. This is not new, but it is a testament to the visceral relationship between the island and baseball.
In the Dominican Republic, baseball is not just a sport: it is a way of life. For many Dominicans, it represents a route out of poverty, offering a journey to fame and fortune that begins on dirt fields and ends under the spotlights of iconic stadiums like Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park.
How many non-U.S. players are in MLB this year?
Baseball is a universal language spoken in different accents. On Opening Day 2025, 265 players from 18 countries and territories outside the U.S. were part of MLB rosters.
Venezuela, another giant in talent production, ranked second with 63 players, followed by Cuba with 26, surpassing its previous record of 23. Other countries like Mexico (11), Japan (12), Puerto Rico (16) and Canada (13) also maintain their rising presence.
The globalization of the game has been a natural evolution, reflected in the diversity of the teams. The San Diego Padres, for example, have players from eight different countries, while the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox each have representatives from seven nations.
This mix of cultures has enriched the league not only on the field but in the very identity of each team. The celebrations in the dugout, the music booming from the stadium speakers and the stories of overcoming adversity that inspire new generations have a common denominator: passion without borders.
From MLB: A total of 265 players represented 18 different countries and territories outside of the 50 United States on the 2025 Opening Day rosters and inactive lists.
— Jessica Kleinschmidt (@KleinschmidtJD) March 28, 2025
Martínez, Soto, Ortiz...
If there is a country that embodies this passion with unmatched intensity, it is the Dominican Republic. From Pedro Martínez to Juan Soto, from David Ortiz to Vladimir Guerrero and Fernando Tatis Jr., Dominican players have left an indelible mark on the game.
It is not just about numbers or trophies, but the way they have redefined what it means to be a star in MLB. Their style of play, aggressive and electrifying, has elevated the spectacle to another level, combining power, speed and a contagious joy that is reflected in every home run, every stolen base and every fantasy play.
International dominance is measured not only by the number of players but also by financial impact. The two largest contracts in baseball history belong to foreign players: Soto with the New York Mets, and Japan’s Shohei Ohtani with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Both represent the present and future of the league, consolidating the importance of international players in the game and the economy of MLB.
But the Dominican Republic’s dominance is no accident. It is the result of a culture where baseball is more than a hobby: it is a social structure. In every corner of the island, from San Pedro de Macorís to Baní, children grow up with a bat in their hand and a dream on their mind.
MLB academies have enhanced this phenomenon, perfecting the raw talent that emerges from the streets and fields, turning the nation into an elite production machine. At 16, many of these young players sign million-dollar contracts, and by 20, they are facing the best in the world in The Show.
As the league continues to evolve and new countries like Germany, South Africa and the Bahamas begin to make their mark on the diamond, one thing seems unmovable: the reign of the Dominicans. Because in baseball, as in life, there are many ways to tell the story - but in the end, passion is what makes the difference. And no one feels it like they do.
Article originally written in Spanish, before translated with the assistance of AI, and edited by William Allen.
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