Every baseball player in the minor leagues faces tough times. They all go through setbacks before they ever get a shot at the big stage. Sometimes it’s a bad game at bat or on the mound. Sometimes it’s the grind of years spent riding buses across the country, waiting for a chance that may never come.
But for some players, the struggle is far bigger than just the game. For them, even reaching the United States to play professional baseball comes with life-changing consequences. That’s the case for St. Louis Cardinals infielder Cesar Prieto.
Prieto grew up in Cuba and was one of the best young talents there. In May 2021, he travelled to Florida as part of the Cuban national baseball team for an Olympic qualifying tournament. When he landed in America, he made a bold decision that would change his life forever. Like many Cuban players before him, he chose to defect and leave his country behind.
The way he did it was daring. According to reports, Prieto ran off a team bus in West Palm Beach and jumped into a waiting van that sped away before anyone could stop him. Later that night, Cuba’s baseball federation confirmed he had officially defected.
It took time, but his gamble paid off. In January 2022, Prieto signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an international free agent, securing a $650,000 bonus. From there, he spent four years working his way up through the minor leagues. He played for the Norfolk Tides, the Orioles’ Triple-A team, before being traded to the Cardinals in 2023 in a deal for pitcher Jack Flaherty. Since then, he has been a regular starter with the Memphis Redbirds, the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate.
Now, after years of sacrifice and uncertainty, Prieto is finally on the verge of his first call-up to the major leagues. Reports say the Cardinals plan to bring him up for their series against the Cincinnati Reds. His performance has earned it; this season alone, he’s batting .295 with nine home runs and 62 RBIs in 107 games. Over his minor league career, he’s been a consistent hitter with a .293 average and 44 home runs.
The Cardinals have not yet made the move official, as they still need to add him to their 40-man roster. But when it happens, it won’t just mark the start of his major league career. It will also stand as proof of his courage, his persistence, and his ability to chase a dream despite all the risks that came with it.