SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Last year, Latino players comprised 25% of players on opening-day rosters. That diversity is reflected on the Rockies this spring, as nine of the players on the team’s 40-man roster hail from either Venezuela or the Dominican Republic.
Within the clubhouse and on the field, those Latino players bring obvious talent, yes, but also collective energy teammates feed upon.
“They bring that Latin flavor — they’re always very happy, because as players, we’ve come from a long ways to get here and we’ve overcome many obstacles,” said Rockies special assistant Vinny Castilla, a native of Mexico.