Aranda is the only Mexican certain for the World Series
Ortiz and Romero, with the Brewers, await the official roster; Manuel Rodríguez, of the Rays, is the least certain of the four.
The World Series between Milwaukee and Tampa Bay opens Friday with up to four players of Mexican roots in the picture, and only one has his spot locked in: Jonathan Aranda, the Rays' first baseman.
Aranda, born in Tijuana, hit .274 with 22 home runs in 155 regular-season games. In MLB's projection for Game 1, he starts at first base and bats second.
The other three depend on rosters that are not yet official. Joey Ortiz and JoJo Romero, of the Brewers, were born in California and have Mexican ancestry. Ortiz, an infielder, arrives with 2 hits in 17 postseason at-bats, and Milwaukee counts him with David Hamilton as its speed and defense edge in the infield. Romero, a left-handed reliever, has allowed just one earned run in 5⅓ innings and has a 47% strikeout rate this month.
Manuel Rodríguez, a Rays reliever born in Mérida, is the most uncertain: six regular-season games and none in the playoffs, and his presence in the series is not confirmed.
| Player | Team | Role | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Aranda | Rays | First base | 9 hits in 35 at-bats |
| Joey Ortiz | Brewers | Infield | 2 hits in 17 at-bats |
| JoJo Romero | Brewers | Left-handed reliever | 1.69 ERA |
| Manuel Rodríguez | Rays | Reliever | No games |
The count of 19 Mexicans in a World Series, with Aranda as the 19th, does not include Ortiz or Romero.
Tampa Bay clinched its berth Monday, and Game 1 is Friday in Milwaukee.
