Francisco Alvarez Headlines Roster for MLB’s Futures Game at Dodger Stadium

Posted on July 7, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Francisco Alvarez’s future(s) looked bright…

The 20-year-old Venezuelan professional baseball catcher and New York Mets catching prospect headlines the rosters announced on Thursday for the 2022 SiriusXM Futures Game at Dodger Stadium on July 16.

Alvarez, the No. 9 prospect on ESPN’s preseason top 100 list, is hitting .272/.364/.540 with 18 home runs and received a promotion to Triple-A earlier this week after bashing several mammoth home runs for Double-A Binghamton.

Mets fans are calling for his promotion to the majors given that the team’s catchers are hitting just .195 with two home runs. While installing a rookie at catcher on a first-place team in the middle of the season is unlikely, the Mets could also use Alvarez at designated hitter, where J.D. Davis and Dom Smith have delivered subpar production.

With many of the preseason’s top prospects already in the majors — including Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., Adley Rutschman and Riley Greene — Alvarez has ascended to ESPN’s top spot of those still in the minors.

The overall top performer in the minors so far might be Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who is hitting .298/.429/.548 with 13 home runs and 15 steals between Double-A and Triple-A and has made a huge leap from his preseason ranking of No. 96.

Other top prospects to watch in the game, to be played on July 16 at 7 p.m. ET, include Cardinals power-hitting third baseman Jordan Walker; Pirates catcher Henry Davis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft; and Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter, the No. 2 in last year’s draft.

The game will be divided into American League and National League rosters.

American League pitchers: Bryan Bello, Red Sox (recently promoted to majors); Taj Bradley, Rays; Hunter Brown, Astros; Ky Bush, Angels; Wilmer Flores, Tigers; Emerson Hancock, Mariners; Jack Leiter, Rangers; Ricky Tiedmann, Blue Jays; Ken Waldichuk, Yankees; Yosver Zulueta, Blue Jays

American League position players: C Yainer Diaz, Astros; C Dillon Dingler, Tigers; C Shea Langeliers, A’s; SS Gunnar Henderson, Orioles; 3B Curtis Mead, Rays; 3B Jhonkensy Noel, Guardians; 1B Nick Pratto, Royals; SS/CF Ceddanne Rafaela, Red Sox; IF Spencer Steer Twins; SS Anthony Volpe, Yankees; OF Denzel Clarke, A’s; OF Oscar Colas, White Sox; OF Jasson Dominguez, Yankees; OF George Valera, Guardians; OF Matt Wallner, Twins

National League pitchers: Andrew Abbott, Reds; Mike Burrows, Pirates; Cade Cavalli, Nationals; Kyle Harrison, Giants; Antoine Kelly, Brewers; Bobby Miller, Dodgers; Erik Miller, Phillies; Eury Perez, Marlins; Jared Shuster, Braves

National League position players: C Francisco Alvarez, Mets; C Diego Cartaya, Dodgers; C Henry Davis, Pirates; C Logan O’Hoppe, Phillies; 2B Darren Baker, Nationals; SS Elly De La Cruz, Reds; SS Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies; 3B Miguel Vargas, Dodgers; 3B/2B David Villar, Giants (recently promoted to majors); 3B Jordan Walker, Cardinals; SS Masyn Winn, Cardinals; OF Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks; OF Jackson Chourio, Brewers; OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs; OF Robert Hassell III, Padres; OF Zac Veen, Rockies.

Gina Torres to Take Part in Benefit Concert for the National Immigration Law Center

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Tom Castaneda

Gina Torres is giving back to the immigrant community…

The 50-year-old Afro-Cuban American actress and Pearson star will participate in a concert being live-streamed Saturday to benefit low-income migrants.

The show will also feature Marcia Cross, Grant Gustin, Cheyenne Jackson, Rachel Bay Jones, Melissa Manchester, Eric McCormack, Caroline Rhea, Liz Callaway,Yuri Sardarov, Dancing with the Stars pros Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach, Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood.

Performers include Jane Lynch, Wayne Bradyand Laurie Metcalf.

The concert is set for 9:00 pm EDT at UCLA’s Royce Hall. It’ll be broadcast via Facebook Liveand at ConcertsforAmerica.com. Proceeds will benefit the National Immigration Law Center.

It’s the latest in a series of benefits created and hosted by Seth Rudetskyand James Wesley, the host and producer of Sirius XM’s “On Broadway” show.

Chita Rivera to Perform at the “Concert For America” Benefit

Posted on June 26, 2018 by Tom Castaneda

Chita Rivera is doing her part to help families on the border…

The 85-year-old half-Puerto Rican Broadway sensation will perform in the Concert For America, which will take place on June 30.

Rivera, the first Hispanic woman and the first Latino AmericanKennedy Center Honors recipient,will join a list of participants that includesTina Fey, Idina Menzel, Audra McDonald, Mandy Gonzalez and more.

Hosted by Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley of SiriusXM, the benefit consisting of music, comedy and commentary will take place in New York’s Great Hall at The Cooper Union.

Rudetsky said in a statement, “James and I have been increasingly horrified at what’s going on with these families struggling at the border.” He added that the scheduled Concert For America will coincide with the coming day of national protests, and will benefit the non-profits working with families at the southern border.

General Admission tickets are $25, and limited VIP seats are $250, with proceeds going to Al Otro Lado, Texas Civil Rights Project, ACLU Foundation of Texas and Florence Project, all groups working to protect the civil and human rights of families on the border. Tickets can be purchased here.

The event will livestream on Facebook and at ConcertsforAmerica.com, beginning at 5:00 pm, ET on Saturday, June 30.

Pitbull Signs with William Morris Endeavor (WME)

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull has new representation…

The 36-year-old Cuban American rapper, the global star whose entertainment ventures stretch from music and concerts to television production and hosting to a Las Vegas act, has inked with William Morris Endeavor (WME).

Pitbull, born Armando Christian Perez, also will take his motivational speaking platform worldwide via his new agency.

The Grammy-winning artist released his 10th album, Climate Change, in March. He has 70 million single sales and 6 million album sales in his career, and is co-headlining his next tour with Enrique Iglesias beginning in June. In July, resumes his Vegas residency at the Axis at Planet Hollywood.

On the television side, his Honey I’m Home production company has co-produced Fox’s Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution the past three years with Endemol Shine North America. He also oversees his Pitbull’s Globalization channel on SiriusXM

Pitbull Named to Facebook’s Year-End List of the Most Talked-About Entertainers

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull may soon change his nickname from Mr. 305 to Mr. Nationwide.

The 33-year-old Cuban American has landed on Facebook’s list of this year’s most talked-about people in the United States.

Pitbull, the only Latino/a entertainer on the social network’s year-end list, comes in at No. 8.

It’s no surprise Mr. Worldwide made the cut. He’s had quite the year…

In January, Pitbull’s collaboration with Ke$ha, “Timber,” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.

In August, it was announced that he’ll be the first Latino musician to launch his own Sirius XM channel. In September, Pitbull was named to Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest Paid Hip-Hop Acts.

And he most recently hosted the American Music Awards for the second year in a row, as well as performed at the Latin Grammys.

Here’s a look at Facebook’s top 10 list:

Most Talked-About Entertainers in the US
1. Beyoncé
2. Pharrell Williams
3. Nicki Minaj
4. Taylor Swift
5. Jimmy Fallon
6. Iggy Azalea
7. Katy Perry
8. Pitbull
9. John Legend
10. Kim Kardashian

Pitbull Returning as Host of This Year’s American Music Awards

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull is proving to be the host with the most…

The 33-year-old Cuban American rap superstar, who is launching his own Sirius XM channel, has been named the host of the American Music Awards for a second straight year.

Hosting has become a nice side career for Pitbull, who also has a New Year’s Eve show on Fox.

Like last year, Pitbull will also perform a song from his new album at the 2014 AMAs, which will air live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 23.

Pitbull is the Top-Ranking Latino Artist on Forbes’ World’s Highest-Paid Hip-Hop Acts List

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull is a Cash King…

The 33-year-old Cuban American rap superstar, who recently released the official music vide for his latest single “Fireball,” has earned a spot on Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest-Paid Hip-Hop Acts, which is compiled from “pretax earnings for living artists whose work is primarily classified as hip-hop or rap.” Earnings include “income from touring, record sales, publishing, merchandise sales, endorsements and other ventures.”

Pitbull comes in at No. 13 on the financial magazine’s Cash Kings list, with a reported haul of $12 million during the reporting period from June 2013 to June 2014.

Along with performing at some 50 concert dates last year, Pitbull also made bank through lucrative endorsement deals for products including Kodak, Dr. Pepper, Voli vodka and Budweiser. He’s also recently announced plans to launch his own Sirius XM channel.

But Pitbull isn’t the only Latino on the list…

Swizz Beatz made $8 million during the same reporting period, landing him at the No. 16 spot on the list.

The 36-year-old half-Puerto Rican hip-hop artist and record producer is considered a rare exception among hip-hop’s top earners because he didn’t tour this year. But he does earn plenty on production and side ventures with the likes of Reebok, Lotus and Monster headphones. Don’t expect him to slow down, either: he’s been taking classes at Harvard Business School to hone his already-sharp financial skills.

Click here to see the complete list on Forbes.com.

Pitbull to Receive ICON Award at This Year’s Streamy Awards

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull isn’t just a music idol… He’s also an icon.

The 33-year-old Cuban American rap superstar and Latin Grammy winner will be feted at this weekend’s Streamy Awards.

Pitbull, who is launching his own Sirius XM channel in the near future, is being heralded as an online-entertainment pioneer with one of the Streamy Awards’ new ICONS awards.

He’ll be honored at a Friday night reception and during the Streamys main event Sunday night at the Beverly Hilton.

Pitbull will get an ICON award as both a successful musician, having sold 5 million albums worldwide, and as owner of his own production company, Honey I’m Home, with an overall TV and digital deal at Endemol North America.

The Streamys are being produced by Tubefilter and dick clark productions.

Kirstie Maldonado and her fellow Pentatonix members lead the pack of Latino nominees for this year’s awards. The a cappella group is up for Cover Song, Musical Artist andOriginal Song.

Other Latino nominees include YouTube sensations Bethany Mota and Maiah Ocando, as well as former American Idol finalist Andrew Garcia.

Pitbull to Launch His Own Sirius XM Channel

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull is preparing for a Sirius project…

The 33-year-old Cuban American rap superstar is getting his own SiriusXM channel, making him the first Latino musician with a music channel on the satellite radio service.

Pitbull’s channel, which is scheduled to debut in early 2015, will feature both music by the “Timber” artist, as well as his personal selections from other musicians.

The anchor of the channel will be a weekly show hosted by Pitbull, whose real names is Armando Christian Perez.

Pitbull is well known for not only his music success but his entrepreneurial pursuits. He said in a statement the channel will allow him to interact more personally with fans, but also, he’ll “get a chance to play all the music I grew up listening (to) _ and most of all, we are going to have fun in the process, so prepárense y daleee.”

Although SiriusXM currently offers 21 Spanish-language channels tailored toward Hispanic listeners, Pitbull will be the first Latin artist to have his own full-time channel on the service.

More details will be available closer to launch, but expect Pitbull’s channel to be bilingual as is his music, appealing to both Hispanic and mainstream listeners.

Sotelo Launching New Entertainment Station ‘Piolin Radio’ with Sirius XM

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Tom Castaneda

Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo will now be heard from coast to coast…

The popular Mexican Spanish-language radio host has signed a contract with Sirius XM Radio.

The deal comes just days after Sotelo left Univision Radio abruptly amid charges of sexual harassment, which he adamantly denies.

Sirius XM announced Tuesday in a press release the creation of the new entertainment station Piolin Radio, which will include Sotelo’s live morning program El Show de Piolin.

“Building on the fast wit and humor he is known for, El Show de Piolin will include lively discussion of the day’s events, surprise interviews with celebrity guests, listener call-ins, pranks, music and much more,” said the satellite broadcaster.

“I can’t wait to fly free and for the first time be truly available coast-to-coast,” said Sotelo.

“I am excited that my listeners will be able to tune in to Piolin Radio at home, in the car or anywhere mobile,” he said.

During his tenure at Univision, Sotelo’s program included interviews with personalities likes President Barack Obama, George Lopez, Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull, among many others.

Sotelo’s syndicated Univision show, which managed to become the program with the biggest audience in multiple markets nationwide, made a sudden exit from broadcasting in late July after a 10-year run and with neither the company nor the host providing any reason why the show was canceled.

The Los Angeles Times reported, however, that the decision stemmed from accusations of sexual harassment against the show host by an ex-fellow worker.

Sotelo, recently named to the National Radio Hall of Fame, rejected the accusations.

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