According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, The Los Angeles Angels have finally finalized their International signing of Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin.
Cuban INF prospect Roberto Baldoquin passed his physical & signed with the #Angels. The deal is done. pic.twitter.com/YwCyNy3CCg
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) December 21, 2014
Baldoquin will receive the biggest signing bonus ever given out by the LA Angels, a whooping $8 million. There’s not much in the way of scouting reports on Roberto Balboquin floating around the internet. What is known is that the 5’10” 180 lbs infielder from Cuba has the skills to play 3rd, 2nd, and all three outfield positions.
Roberto Baldoquin is officially an Angel! pic.twitter.com/F5iBtK7ZJg
— 80 Grade Halos (@80GradeHalos) December 21, 2014
Angels GM Jerry Dipoto has gone on record describing Baldoquin as “very well-rounded”. Dipoto described Baldoquin’s fielding as a “gifted defender with soft hands.” Dipoto’s also feels that Roberto has a good idea at the plate, “very advanced feel in the batter’s box for what a ball, what’s a strike, using the middle of the field with a line-drive stroke.” (Abbey Mastracco from Fox Sports West).
Many fans of the Angels may have high hopes of Roberto replacing recently departed and long-time LA Angel Howie Kendrick, but it’s unlikely that Roberto will impact the Angels in 2015.
Roberto Baldoquin is 20, and not ready for the big leagues just yet, but 2B Howie Kendrick is a FA after 2015, SS Erick Aybar after 2016.
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) November 4, 2014
Roberto will likely start the season in Low-A ball and advance quickly through the system. The Angels have some internal options making their way up the farm system in SS Eric Stamets, 2B Alex Yarbrough, 3B Cal Towey, 2B Kody Eaves, and with any luck 3B Caleb Cowart.
I went out on a limb with the Angels Top 15 Prospects for 2015 and placed Roberto Baldoquin at number 2. Was I wrong to do so?