Meet the greatest Colombian baseball players of all time, who have proudly represented Colombia in the MLB. Credit: Malingering / CC BY NC ND 2.0
Colombia’s relationship with baseball dates back to 1897, when Panamanian and Cuban immigrants first brought the game to Cartagena’s shores, which would fuel passion for the sport along the country’s Caribbean coast. During the last century, Colombia has produced roughly 30 Major Leaguers, ranking 11th in the World Baseball Softball Confederation, and made its World Baseball Classic debut in 2017. Colombian Luis “Lou” Castro broke the Latin American barrier in 1902, yet it would be generations before Colombian stars like Édgar Rentería and Orlando Cabrera claimed World Series glory and All‑Star honors. Here are some of the top Colombian baseball players of all time.
Iconic Colombian baseball players in the MLB
Edgar Renteria (Born August 7, 1975, in Barranquilla, Colombia)
Édgar Rentería burst onto the scene as a teenager and over a 16‑year career became Colombia’s most decorated big‑leaguer. Renteria is considered the best Colombian baseball player ever, as he has gathered five All‑Star appearances (1998, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2006), won two World Series championships (1997 with the Marlins, 2010 with the Giants), and earned 2010 World Series MVP honors.
He also collected two Gold Gloves and three Silver Slugger Awards, cementing his reputation as one of the best shortstops of his era.
Orlando Cabrera (born November 2, 1974 in Cartagena, Colombia)
Nicknamed “O‑Cab,” Cabrera played in the MLB for 15 seasons and was a two‑time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2007). He helped end Boston’s 86‑year championship drought by winning the 2004 World Series with the Red Sox, and finished his career with over 2,000 hits and a .272 batting average across nine franchises.
José Quintana (born January 24, 1989 in Arjona, Colombia)
“Lelo” Quintana made his debut in 2012 and quickly became one of Colombia’s best pitchers. The “southpaw” logged over 1,750 strikeouts and earned an All‑Star appearance in 2016. Quintana is still chasing that elusive ring and signed with the Milwaukee Brewers for the 2025 season.
Julio Teherán (born January 27, 1991 in Cartagena, Colombia)
Teherán signed with the Braves in 2007 and made his MLB debut in 2011. A two‑time All‑Star (2014, 2016), he tallied over 1,260 career strikeouts with Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, and New York. His consistency on the mound helped pave the way for other Colombi players. Like Quintana, he is still playing for his first World Series title.
Donovan Solano (born December 17, 1987, in Barranquilla, Colombia)
Solano has posted a .277 career batting average and won a Silver Slugger Award in 2020. Since his 2012 debut, he’s been praised for his bat‑to‑ball skill and versatility, though postseason, like the previous two, he has not been able to record a World Series win.
Jorge Alfaro (born June 11, 1993 in Sincelejo, Colombia)
Nicknamed “El Oso”, Alfaro made his debut in 2016 as a power‑hitting catcher with rare arm strength. Through 2024, he’s belted 48 homers and remains one of Colombia’s most athletic backstops.
Ernesto Frieri (born July 19, 1985 in Arjona, Colombia)
As a late‑innings reliever from 2009–17, Frieri collected 73 saves and racked up near‑12 K/9. He served as a closer for the Angels and amassed 387 strikeouts, yet never reached the World Series.
Lou Castro (Born November 25, 1876 in Medellín, Colombia)
Luis “Lou” Castro broke barriers in 1902 as the first Latin American and first Colombian player in MLB, playing 42 games for Connie Mack’s World Series-winning Athletics. His pioneering stint paved the way for generations of Latin American and Colombian players to follow over the next century.
Jolbert Cabrera (born December 8, 1972 in Cartagena, Colombia)
Cabrera was a versatile infielder/outfielder, Jolbert logged ten seasons from 1998–2008, batting .257 and playing every position except pitcher and catcher. Though reliable, he never captured a World Series crown.
Orlando Ramírez (born December 18, 1951 in Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia)
“El Ñato” made his debut in 1974 as the second Colombian in MLB history and played five seasons in the MLB. Ramirez was inducted into the Colombian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.