Yasiel Puig, the former star outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has recently made waves in the Canadian Baseball League (CBL) as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Although Puig is not playing hockey, he has embraced this unique opportunity to continue his baseball career in Canada. The 35-year-old joined the Maple Leafs this spring, demonstrating his enduring talent by hitting two home runs in his debut game.
Since then, Puig has shown remarkable consistency at the plate, and as of September 3, 2026, he has set a new league record with 24 home runs this season. The Maple Leafs celebrated this achievement on their official social media account, highlighting Puig's impressive performance: "👑 YOUR NEW SINGLE-SEASON HOME RUN LEADER, YASIEL PUIG 👑." This milestone not only showcases Puig's ability to dominate in the CBL but also underscores his determination to keep his baseball journey alive.
Puig's presence in Canada comes at a time when he is facing significant legal challenges. He was awaiting a court hearing related to obstruction of justice and false statements to federal agents concerning an illegal sports gambling operation. While the hearing was postponed, Puig seized the opportunity to play baseball, ranking second in the CBL with a .410 batting average, just behind Kitchener's Malik Williams, who boasts a .417 average. Additionally, Puig has recorded 57 runs batted in (RBIs), placing him second in that category as well, trailing Welland’s Ethan Mann, who leads with 71 RBIs.
Throughout the season, Puig's performance has been nothing short of stellar. In just 161 at-bats over 46 games, he has managed to hit 24 home runs, achieving an impressive on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.454. While these numbers may not fully reflect Puig's peak performance during his major league career, they certainly highlight his ability to excel in the CBL.
Yasiel Puig's journey began when the Dodgers signed him as a promising talent out of Cuba. He quickly made a name for himself, hitting .319 as a rookie and .296 in his second season. Puig's career included notable seasons where he hit 28 home runs in 2017 and 23 in 2018, but he ultimately played his last MLB season in 2019, finishing with a .277 batting average and 132 home runs over his career. After not signing with any team during the shortened 2020 season, he faced additional challenges, including a sexual assault lawsuit that further complicated his return to Major League Baseball.
Despite these setbacks, Puig has continued to seek opportunities to play professionally, including stints in leagues in Korea and Mexico. His current role with the Toronto Maple Leafs, a team that shares its name with the famous NHL franchise, reflects his commitment to the game. For fans in Canada, witnessing Puig's home runs is a thrilling experience, as he continues to prove that he still has the skills to shine on the field.
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