Robinson Cano, Bartolo Colon among ex-MLB players drafted in Dubai-based league Baseball United

Bartolo Colon, Robinson Cano and Pablo Sandoval had been among a number of former MLB players decided on in the inaugural draft for Baseball United, a Dubai skilled baseball league. Baseball United is the primary skilled baseball league in the Middle East and South Asia. 

Cano used to be decided on with the 6th total select via the Dubai Wolves, who’re one in all 4 Baseball United groups set to start out taking part in in fall 2024. The Abu Dhabi Falcons, Karachi Monarchs and Mumbai Cobras can even start taking part in subsequent yr, and the ones groups will take part in an All-Star exhibit at Dubai International Stadium in November.

MLB Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Mariano Rivera have invested in the league. According to the Associated Press, the league will personal the 4 groups with 4 further groups more likely to be printed in 2024. 

Right-handed pitcher Karan Patel used to be decided on with the No. 1 select in the draft. In 2017. Patel changed into the primary Indian participant to ever be decided on in the MLB Draft when he used to be selected via the Chicago White Sox. He performed for the Billings Mustangs of the unbiased Pioneer League this previous season.

Colon, who used to be a four-time MLB All-Star, used to be decided on with the sixteenth total select via the Monarchs. Colon lasted pitched all through the 2018 season with the Texas Rangers as that proved to be the general forestall of his 21-year skilled profession. In September 2023, Colon introduced his retirement in a rite in which the New York Mets venerated him.

Cano tallied 335 house runs all through a 17-year MLB profession in which he spent the bulk with the New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Seattle Mariners. The 41-year-old completed this previous season with the Atlanta Braves.

Didi Gregorius used to be decided on with the No. 3 select via the Wolves. The 33-year-old performed for the Yankees, Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies over his 11-year profession, spending 4 seasons with the Phils ahead of being launched all through the 2022 marketing campaign.

Just after Gregorius, former MLB slugger Pablo Sandoval used to be decided on fourth total via the Falcons. Sandoval spent the vast majority of his MLB profession with the San Francisco Giants and gained 3 World Series titles with the franchise. He remaining performed in the MLB in 2021, when he gave the impression in 69 video games for the Braves.

Andrelton Simmons, 34, used to be occupied with the 8th total select via the Cobras. The former MLB shortstop started his profession with the Braves ahead of taking part in for the Los Angeles Angels, successful 4 Gold Gloves over his 11-year profession.