Bárbaro Erisbel Arruebarrena Escalante

Bárbaro Erisbel Arruebarrena Escalante, popularly known as "El Grillo" (The Cricket), was born on March 25, 1990, in Cienfuegos, Cuba. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented shortstops produced by Cuban baseball in recent decades, celebrated for his exceptional defense, powerful arm, and consistent hitting.

Arruebarrena began his career in the Cuban National Series with the Elefantes de Cienfuegos in 2008. His talent earned him a place on Cuba's national team, with which he participated in the 2011 Pan American Games, the 2012 Haarlem Baseball Week, and the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

In September 2013 he left Cuba, and in February 2014 he signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers — including a $7.5 million signing bonus — becoming one of the most sought-after Cuban shortstops of the era. He made his MLB debut on May 23, 2014. His time in the organization was hampered by injuries and other circumstances, and he was released in 2018.

In August 2019, Arruebarrena made history as the first former Major League Baseball player to return to the Cuban baseball league system — an unprecedented event since 1959. He joined the Cocodrilos de Matanzas, with whom he won the Serie 59 championship (2019/20 season). In 2023 he was named Cuba's best baseball player of the year, and he also represented the country at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

He currently plays for the Elefantes de Cienfuegos and is one of the most prominent figures in contemporary Cuban baseball.