MESA, Ariz. — Someday he may be starring in green and gold, his memorable one-word nickname burned into the minds of Bay Area fans.
Right now the days are long for Lazaro Armenteros, and they’re anything but glamorous.
The 17-year-old outfielder from Cuba, known simply as “Lazarito,” wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning to get to the A’s minor league facility. He doesn’t get home until well into the evening, after his English language classes that run Monday through Friday.
Most of Oakland’s minor leaguers have their hands full just trying to make a good impression between the lines.