International Prospects: Five Cubans amongst the top 30 for July 2nd

A few days ago MLB.COM released a top 30 list of international prospects and amongst them, there were five Cubans. These five players are very desired amongst teams in the majors.

Every year more and more international prospects out of Cuba are making MLBs list of top 30 international prospects, creating a surge of players from the island into minors. This surge will eventually lead to a record number of players from Cuba making the majors.

The record is 30 which has happened on three occasions in 2019, 2016, and 1967.

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The list was compiled by the distinguished journalist Jesse Sanchez and below I will break down the Cubans on the list.

1. Yoelkis Cespedes, OF (Granma)– The brother of Yoenis Cespedes is projected as the #1 prospect for this signing period. The young outfielder is very versatile in the sense that he can play all three outfield positions.

Cespedes has added 15 to 20 pounds of muscle since his defection last year and has plenty of international experience against top-flight competition, this includes a .316 batting average in the 2016 Caribbean World Series. Although he has the capability to be a five-tool player he needs to shore up some holes in his swing.

He definitely has the pedigree to be an impact player in the big leagues and is a plus fielder with a rocket for an arm.

6. Pedro León, OF (Mayabeque) – In my opinion, he’s a better and more polished prospect than Céspedes. León has impressed plenty of scouts in his showcases and has the potential to be a five-tool player.

In 2018 the outfielder hit 15 homers in 33 games with Mayabeque of the Serie Nacional and also drove in 36 runs within this brief span of time. León is also a plus runner and can play various outfield positions.

The Houston Astros were swept off there by the young Cuban’s talent and will sign Leon for 4 million on July 2nd.

9. Yiddi Cappe, SS (Artemisa) – The young shortstop has been compared with Carlos Correa and Derek Jeter. Cappe has a mature approach at the plate and a great knowledge of the strike zone. The infielder has the capability to develop power to all fields and will probably outgrow the shortstop position due to his large frame.

Cappe also has great hands, a strong arm and great feet on defense. The Marlins are so impressed with the native of Artemisa that they will sign him for 3.5 million on July 2nd.

18. Dyan Yamel Jorge, SS (Havana) – Jorge is one of the more interesting international prospects. In fact, some scouts have even compared him to Alexei Ramirez due to his physical similarities to the ex-big leaguer. The shortstop is a plus fielder and could develop into line drive gap hitter with some pop.

Colorado Rockies have seen plenty of promise in the infielder, so much that they have come to an accord for 2021 for the sum 2.8 million dollars. Aside from being a slick fielder he also projects as a plus runner and ran a 6.3 in the 60-yard dash. Jorge has been projected by some scouts as a sure-fire major leaguer.

20. Norge Carlos Vera, RHP (Santiago) – Vera is the son of Cuban legend Norge Luis Vera. The righty has upped the mph’s on his fastball to in between 94-97. In February Vera held a showcase that was so impressive that the Whitesox will sign him for 1.5 million on July 2nd.

One weakness in Vera’s game is his breaking pitches which are decent but need to be developed further. In his last year in Cuba, he had a record 2-3 and a 3.79 ERA in 11 games.