Baseball United is a new baseball league that plays in the Middle East and South Asia. Planning to begin play in Dubai in 2023, the league held its inaugural player draft for its four teams.
To start a new baseball league, you need big names. If you’re a New York Yankees fan, you likely have gotten attached to some players who have come through the organization; or have simply forgotten that — wore the pinstripes. Well, Baseball United has Yankee fans covered!
There were four notable former Yankees drafted in the first two rounds of Baseball United’s inaugural draft between two teams.
Didi Gregorius was the 3rd overall pick. The lefty hitting Shortstop played in the Bronx from 2015-2019. Through 660 games with the Yankees, Gregorius batted a .269 with a .446 OPS, notching 97 home runs and 360 RBIs.
Three picks later was Robinson Cano at 6th overall. Cano spent the first nine years of his career with the Yankees, becoming the face of the franchise. In 1,374 games played, Cano posted a .304 batting average with 204 home runs (which ranks 16th all-time in NYY franchise history), 822 RBIs and 28 triples. Cano also spent a forgettable 12 games with the New York Mets in 2022.
David Huff hasn’t played in the Majors since 2016, but that didn’t stop the 39-year-old from being selected 9th overall in the 2nd round. Huff spent two stints with the Yankees in 2013 and ‘14. Appearing in 41 games, the relief pitcher posted a 3.18 ERA in 73.2 IP, with a winning 6-2 record. Huff is one of the few pitchers that was able to handle playing in the Bronx.
Bartolo Colon’s time in the Bronx seems like a fever dream. In 2011 Big Sexy made his mark on the Bronx, posting a 4.00 ERA in 164.1 innings. Colon started in 26 games and made 3 relief appearances to the tune of an 8-10 record. Colon is mainly known for his time with the New York Mets (2014-16), where he most notably posted a 3.43 ERA in 2016. Colon was drafted 16th overall in the 2nd round.
Both Gregorius and Cano were drafted by the Dubai Wolves, as Huff and Colon were drafted by the Karachi Monarchs.