The Influence Effect: Why Baseball Isn't Popular In Haiti

 Haiti is a country in the caribbean, located on the island of Hispaniola.  It only borders one country: the Dominican Republic.  The DR is just east of Haiti, and is literally filled with baseball talent, so people would probably assume that baseball is at least somewhat popular in Haiti.  While the number of baseball players in the country is growing, there have only been 3 Haitian baseball players, 2 of whom are active.

Touki Toussaint is a Haitian-American pitcher for the Atlanta Braves.  While he wasn't born in Haiti, he is the son of Haitian politician Dany Toussaint.  He has won 6 of his 9 starts, only losing 3.  This means that he has won 66.6% of his starts.  He's reaching his potential, and I think he'll see a breakout year in 2021.

Estevan Florial is a Dominican-Haitian pitcher for the New York Yankees.  His mother is Haitian-born, but he isn't.  He hasn't reached full potential, but I think he'll have a good year in 2021, then have a breakout year in 2022.

But why isn't baseball popular in Haiti?  We have to look at three criteria: Influence, Terrain, and Politics.

Haiti, unlike the Dominican Republic and other countries, wasn't colonized by Spain.  It was colonized by France.  France still has a lot of influence over the island today, and because baseball isn't popular in France, it doesn't help Haiti's baseball scene.

Haiti has rougher terrain than it's neighbor to the east.  The country is in a spot that almost never gets hit by hurricanes, but it's unfortunately located in a seismically active area.  In 2010, a large earthquake caused massive devastation to the country, crippling their economy and generating a tsunami.  This led to water contamination, and water-borne diseases are common.  Because of it's location, there isn't enough flat terrain for many baseball fields, and they don't have the money to excavate the land.

Haiti is currently involved in a huge civil war that was started due to corruption, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the violent oppression of peaceful protesters.  This has halted the baseball scene in Haiti.

The nation is currently struggling, but baseball is making it's way into the country.  All we can do now is wait.

NEWS 2/21/2021: Marwin Gonzalez, Jon Jay, Trade Rumors

     There is more news today, so let's get in to it.  We have a lot to talk about and not a lot of space to do it, so we have to do it now.

Marwin Gonzalez has been signed by the Boston Red Sox.  His contract is a 1-year, $3M deal.  He did well with the 2017 World Series-winning Houston Astros, but that fell apart when he signed with the Minnesota Twins, with whom he has battled injuries.

To clear room on the 40-man roster, rumors have swirled that the Red Sox will be trading Michael Chavis, Colten Brewer, Ryan Brasier, Kevin Plawecki, Jonathan Arauz, and Phillips Valdez.  While no deals have been confirmed, the lead rumors see Chavis, Brewer, and Plawecki going to the Baltimore Orioles for Rylan Bannon and Heston Kjerstad, and Braiser, Arauz, and Valdez going to the New York Mets for Tim Tebow.  First reported by a user on Twitter.

Jon Jay has signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Angels.

NEWS 2/11/2021: Major Trade, Hirokazu Sawamura, Hyeon-Jong Yang

    Well, it's the offseason until February 27, and some insane roster moves have been made on this day, February 11.  Let's talk about them going from smallest to biggest.

Shun Yamaguchi has been designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays to create room for Joel Payamps.  Yamaguchi, a starter, posted an 8.06 ERA last season.  The 2 wins out of 6 starts also didn't help him.  In total, Yamaguchi appeared in 25.2 innings over 17 games last season, with a -0.7 WAR.  Not good.  On the other hand, Joel Payamps was signed as a minor league free agent late in the season then DFA'd by the Red Sox to clear room for Garrett Richards, Martin Perez, and Hirokazu Sawamura.  Although the Sox tried to sneak him through the waiver wire, he fell into the trap that the Blue Jays set.  Appearing in 2 games for the Diamondbacks, he pitched 3 innings.  Not enough to give him a WAR.

Hyeon-Jong Yang is looking for a contract in the MLB.  The award-winning KBO pitcher ended negotiations with his team, the Kia Tigers, to seek an MLB contract.  As of now, he has not been signed.

Tony Wolters and Brian Goodwin have been signed to minor league deals by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Jake Marisnick is now a member of the Chicago Cubs.

David Phelps is back with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Shane Carle has agreed to a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

Ben Gamel has been signed to a minor league deal with the Cleveland Baseball Team.

Greg Bird has signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies.

Kyle Garlick has been claimed off of waivers by the Minnesota Twins.  To make room on the 40-man, they have designated Brandon Waddell for assignment.

Hirokazu Sawamura has found his way to the USA and has signed with the Red Sox on a 2 year contract.  Sawamura is 32, and because NPB stats aren't the same, he has no WAR.  He was terrible with the Yomiuri Giants, but when he was traded to the Chiba Lotte Marines mid-season, he shined.  This is a very good move and a move that Red Sox fans will use to drown their sorrows over what just happened.

Andrew Benintendi has officially been traded to the Kansas City Royals in a 3-team trade that sent Franchy Cordero and 2 players to be named later to the Red Sox, as well as Khalil Lee to the New York Mets.  The Mets have sent the Red Sox minor league pitcher Josh Winckowski and a player to be named later in return for cash considerations.

Top Minor League Free Agents Heading into 2021

 These are the top minor league free agents heading into 2021:

1. Stryker Trahan

Other than having a cool name, the 26-year-old Louisiana native has been a free agent since 2017.  However, that hasn't stopped him.  Trahan is an outfielder/catcher who was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks.  However, he should consider signing with the Boston Red Sox, because if Christian Vazquez gets hurt, Kevin Plawecki is a D-Tier level player and Connor Wong isn't ready.

2. Courtney Hawkins

Drafted by the Chicago White Sox, outfielder Courtney Hawkins is a Texas native who was released by the Sugar Land Skeeters in 2020, before they were Houston's Triple A affiliate.  Hawkins should consider signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he could get some time in the MLB, as the Pirates are struggling.

3. Rock Shoulders

Now, when you think of someone nicknamed "The Rock", you probably think of Dwayne Johnson.  You wouldn't be wrong for that.  But say hello to Rock Shoulders, a Florida native who is an infielder/outfielder who ended up getting drafted by the Boston Red Sox but never spending time in the organization.  Most recently playing with the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League in 2017, Shoulders may be considered rusty, but if he signs with the Cleveland Baseball Team (yes, they changed their name), he might be able to have some time in the Majors, as Cleveland just traded Francisco Lindor for Minor League prospects.

4. Rafael De Paula

Seeing as Brandon Martin was recently convicted and sentenced to life in prison for a triple homicide, Dominican pitcher Rafael De Paula moves up on the list.  De Paula spent time with Atlanta's Double A affiliate, the Mississippi Braves, in 2019.  However, due to COVID-19, he was released.  Although re-signing with Atlanta wouldn't be a bad move, I think signing with Oakland would be a smarter move.  Oakland just lost a lot of players to free agency, so signing De Paula would give them a better pitching staff.

5. Iolana Akau

Most recently playing for the Vermont Lake Monsters, the Low A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, in 2018, the native of Hawai'i is very talented.  Right now, Hawai'i has many very good players in the MLB, including Kolten Wong, Kean Wong, and Jordan Yamamoto.  Akau should sign with Cleveland, because he'd probably get some time in the Majors.

6. Braxton Davidson

Most recently playing for Team Texas of the Constellation Energy League in 2020, North Carolinian outfielder Braxton Davidson is a free agent and he shouldn't be.  I could see him signing with either Cleveland or Oakland.

7. Ruddy Giron

Dominican infielder Ruddy Giron most recently played for the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2019.  The Storm are the California Rookie League affiliate of the San Diego Padres.  Giron has talent and he should sign with Boston, because the Red Sox need a backup at shortstop in case Xander Bogaerts gets injured.

8. Trey Michalczewski

Trey Michalczewski's last name is hard to pronounce.  But he's a great player.  The Oklahoma native is an infielder/outfielder who should sign with Cleveland.

Card of the Week 4/3/2020

Vote for your favorite card:

2017 Adrian Gonzalez

2019 Eduardo Rodriguez

2020 Seth Brown

Shogo Akiyama signs with the Reds

Shogo Akiyama, the 32-year-old outfielder for the Saitama Seibu Lions, has signed with the Cincinnati Reds.

Akiyama, who hails from Yokosuka, Japan, has been batting .300, has 1,276 total hits, 102 homers, 467 runs batted in, 695 total runs, and 105 stolen bases.  He is also going to be featured in MLB The Show 20.

Pros:

Akiyama gets more recognition

Reds get a great hitter and fielder

Cons:

Lions lose a major player

What do you think?  Tell me in the comments

Welcome to the blog!!!

  Hello to all my readers.  This is a blog devoted to the MLB.  Here are some things that you can expect on this blog:

1. MLB Game Reviews

  I will be reviewing MLB Games.  If there are certain games that I didn't mention, it's probably because I'm watching baseball games from other leagues.

2.  Card of the Week

  I will choose three cards that are up for card of the week.  Then, you can vote in the comments.  The two cards that don't win will be part of the next week's COTW.

3.  Hall of Fame Predictions

  Every year, I will look at the choices on the ballet of the Hall of Fame.  Then, using math and the overall stats, I will release my predictions.

4.  Draft Predictions

  When the draft comes around, I will try to predict how the first round will go.

5. News about Contracts, Trades, ETC.

  If there is a major trade, I will make a blog post about it.

There you go!  This officially concludes my first blog post.