A Cuban fan waves the Cuban flag during the historic baseball game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Cuban national team at LatinoAmericano Stadium in Havana, Cuba 28 March, 1999. The Baltimore Orioles won the contest in 3-2 in eleven innings. AFP PHOTO/Adalberto ROQUE (Photo by Adalberto ROQUE / AFP) (Photo by ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images)
In the following article, we’re going to go in-depth about who are the top 5 international prospects out of Cuba and why.
The period of free agency figures to be an interesting one, especially for international prospects from Cuba. Like in previous years, various Cubans have decided to migrate but this year’s class might be better bar none.
That being said, let’s take a look at the top 5 potential Cuban prospects who could sign MLB deals on July 2.
The versatile Colás has played the last three seasons in the Nippon League with the SoftBank Hawks.
The young man from Santiago was the player of the month in May of 2019 with Fukuoka was named the organization’s player of the month when he hit .333 with five homers, drove in 21 and slashed .388/.589/.977. In 66 games with SoftBank’s junior club, he hit .302 with 11 round-trippers and 46 RBI’s.
These stats earned him a call-up and Colás homered in his first at-bat with the big club. The lefthander can also throw a 94 mph, although he has never pitched outside the island.
His path to free agency just got a little complicated with him being put on the restricted list, due failure to report to the Hawks this upcoming season.
Although Colás denied signing with the club, there will be a big legal battle in the near future to determine his eligibility for July 2nd.
Sources: Pedro Manuel León (21) OF left Cuba and will seek to sign a professional contract. León posted offensive line of .371/.455/.765, 36 RBI, 7 SB, 15 HR (record in 1st phase of the Cuban League) last season, but suffered a shoulder injury. He has remarkable range and arm. pic.twitter.com/wQKFGTN9tx
International Prospects: Top 5 Cuban players for July 2
Pedro Manuel León – OF
The young outfielder from Mayabeque has the tools to be a five-tool player. León decided to leave Cuba in early October and has been impressive in his workouts in the Dominican Republic.
In 2018 he hit 15 homers in 33 games with the Mayabeque Hurricanes of the Cuban League, he also slashed .371/.455/.765 and drove in 36.
A shoulder injury cut his season short in 2018 but the baseball world was put on notice the talent that León could become.
My sources tell me he will sign with the Houston Astros for a 4 million dollar bonus.
Norge Carlos Vera – RHP
The 19-year-old Norge Carlos Vera signed with the Chicago Whitesox earlier this month. Based on an impressive showcase in February.
During the showcase, he flashed a wicked fastball that was between 90-93 miles per hour sustained that left scouts impressed. Vera has decent off-speed pitches that need to be developed.
On the Island, he pitched for the Santiago Wasps and in 11 games last year had a record of 2-3 and a 3.79 ERA in 54 2/3 innings.
Vera is the son of Cuban baseball legend Norge Luis Vera.
Yiddi Cappe – SS
The young shortstop has been compared to a young Derek Jeter. The 17-year-old has a lean athletic build.
He has a mature approach at the plate and understands the strike zone very well. Cappe also has power to all fields.
On the defense, he has great feet and a strong arm. My sources tell me that the Marlins are the favorites to sign the young Cuban for the sum of 3.5 million dollars.
International Prospects: Top 5 Cuban players for July 2
The 21-year-old Céspedes has added 20 pounds of muscle since he left Cuba and can be a five-tool player.
He is a capable fielder than can play all three outfield positions and has a rocket for an arm. Yoelkis has plenty of international experience against top competition.
In the 2016 Caribbean World Series he flashed his talents hitting. 316 in 5 games and also flashed his multitude of skills for Cuba’s representative in the tournament.
The only chink in the native of Yara, Cuba ‘s armor is his struggles with breaking pitches but that can definitely be corrected in due time.
In his time in Cuban National Series he hit .279 with 14 longballs y 99 runs batted in.
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Honorable mention
Dyan Yamel Jorge could crack the top five especially if Colás is ruled ineligible to sign this July 2nd.
The 16-year-old shortstop has drawn comparisons to Alexei Ramírez because of his long lanky build and has an abundance of tools.
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He hit .269 in the Sub 15 World Championship in Panama as a member of the Cuban National Team and is projected to be a can’t miss pro.
