The journey of Yedlimar de Jesús – the first Puerto Rican women’s baseballer to play in a men’s league in the United States – into College baseball has already started to capture headlines.
De Jesus committed to Monroe University, New York, in Region 15 of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) after making an impact at 17 in her rookie season with the Arecibo Lobas of the Puerto Rican Women’s Baseball League. The 2025 season is nearing the end of the 14-game regular season, and the Lobas have relocated to Utuado, changing their denomination to Tainas.
Monroe University proudly promoted how the freshman athlete is creating history.
“I was born and raised in Puerto Rico and I started playing baseball whenn I was five years old,” De Jesus explained.
She believes that playing at Monroe University “is a blessing.” and added. “The other players treat me like one of the players and a sister”
De Jesus confirmed that she tried softball, but didn’t quite have the same passion she has for baseball.
She stated: “Girls, if you have a dream, don’t say no to yourself
De Jesús attended the Albergue Olimpico Baseball Academy. According to her graduation scouting report, Yedlimar is a pitcher who can “fill up the strike zone with a 69-mile-per-hour fastball and a soft curveball” and plays the infield when not pitching “with a second base profile. Hands are her best tool defensively.”
On offence she is a right-handed hitter “[who hits] from a slightly open stance with a leg kick close, best contact was line drives to the middle of the field.”