While he hasn’t drawn the same level of attention fellow Cuban native Yoennis Cespedes has, 19-year-old prospect Jorge Soler has developed his fair share of interest this offseason. Last week we learned that the Phillies were joining the list of Soler’s suitors which included the Rangers, Yankees, Nationals, Marlins and Cubs. Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus listed the three clubs he believes to be the early favorites to sign Cespedes yesterday.
When asked on Twitter where he thought Soler would end up this winter, Goldstein named the Yankees, Rangers or Phillies, in that order, as his early favorites.
Unlike Cespedes, Soler is not major league-ready. It is believed that he will have to spend a few seasons in the minors, but the center field prospect may be well worth the wait.
While Cespedes is said to possess 30-30 power and athleticism, some believe that Soler may develop the type of power that would allow him to hit 40 long balls at the major league level. Scouts believe that the raw potential is there and, standing 6-foot-3, Soler has the body type of a power hitter.
Soler may have to eventually move from center field and into a corner outfield position, but his projected bat should play well either way. Nationals director of International Scouting Johnny Dipuglia has compared Soler’s body to that of another Latin slugger, Hanley Ramirez. Dipuglia says Soler possesses a plus arm and bat speed and describes him as “a good kid, a good-energy kid”.
But just how much should prospective suitors expect to pay Soler and his “good-energy”? Early estimates of Soler’s pending free agent contract were in the range of the $15.5 million deal Leonys Martin signed with the Rangers last year. However, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post is hearing that Soler is now projected to earn a contract “richer than” Martin’s.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.