An Outfielder Prospect Catches Attention of the Fans TAMPA, Fla. - A new cult hero is emerging at Yankees camp in the rotund shape of Cuban defector Ronnier Mustelier, who is hitting .500 (3 for 6) in his first big league spring training. Mustelier, who was given the nickname Musty by Joe Girardi, captivated the attention of fans Friday with a home run. Although he played the infield in Cuba, mostly at third base, Mustelier is learning to play the outfield, where the Yankees are suddenly thin. He isn't considered a contender to replace Curtis Granderson in left, but it's fun to root for him. "With these kinds of opportunities that present themselves, one is always prepared," he said through an interpreter. Listed at 5-foot-10, 210 pounds, Mustelier looks every bit the weight, but appears shorter than his measured height. Either way, he has that Kirby Puckett body type, and has done some impressive things at the plate in his first two years in the minors. In 150 games over two seasons at four levels, Mustelier has batted a combined .324 with 18 home runs, 41 doubles and 96 runs batted in. He was signed by the Yankees in 2011 for $50,000 after he defected from Cuba in a boat that took him to Cancun, Mexico, in 2009. He said he has a 5-year-old son in Cuba, Ronnier, Jr., whom he has not seen since he left, although he speaks to his family on the phone every day. "It's a very difficult time, especially because I'm missing out on him growing up," he said. It's part of the sacrifice. I'm doing all of this specifically for him.