CAPITALES ADD PUERTO RICAN INFIELDER KENAN IRIZARRY
By Christian Gingras
QUÉBEC CITY, QC – The Quebec Capitales enthusiastically announce the signing of Kenen Irizarry, a dynamic and athletic player who will strengthen the infield for the 2025 season.
A 25-year-old native of Puerto Rico, Irizarry is a former 13th-round draft pick of the Texas Rangers in 2018. After beginning his professional career in affiliated baseball, he continued his successful career in the Frontier League with the Lake Erie Crushers, where he played in 2022 and 2023. Considered primarily a defensive player, he still, in 160 total games with Lake Erie, maintained a batting average of .269, hit 16 home runs, and drove in 78 runs.
An explosive athlete, Irizarry stands out for his intensity on the field and his defensive skills. "He's a player who can hurt the opponent in several ways. He's aggressive and fast at second base and could significantly help solidify the Capitales' infield," said manager Patrick Scalabrini.
During the winters of 2021 to 2025, Irizarry also played in the Puerto Rico Winter League (PRWL), primarily with the RA12 team, a team founded by legend Roberto Alomar and focused on developing young local talent. Known as a springboard as well as a rallying point for some major league players, this league offers a high level of competition. Irizarry rubbed shoulders with several players from the major leagues and affiliated leagues, which helped refine his batting approach and solidify his defensive game.
With the arrival of Kenen Irizarry, Patrick Scalabrini's recent recruiting mission to Puerto Rico is already bearing fruit. "We saw a lot of talent there. Kenen is a great example of the type of player we wanted to attract: athletic, intense, and accustomed to a high level of competition," he said.
The addition of Irizarry is part of the Capitales' desire to rely on versatile and competitive players to defend their title. Already three-time Frontier League champions, the Capitales will begin the 2025 season with an ambitious and well-balanced roster. Fans will have the opportunity to discover Irizarry starting in mid-May, when training camp begins at Canac Stadium.
