Cuban prospect Soler risk for Jays, others
Posted February 16, 2012 1:58 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Toronto Blue Jays or any other team that signs Cuban teenage prospect Jorge Soler will be committing significant money to a player likely at least two years away from the majors, according to a Baseball America player development writer.
On Wednesday, mlb.com reported that Toronto Blue Jays brass — including GM Alex Anthopoulos — worked out the 19-year-old Soler and three other Cuban players at the team’s facility in the Domincan Republic.
In 2010, the Blue Jays signed Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria to a four-year, $10 million deal. Soler is represented by Bart Hernandez, the same agent for Hechavarria.
During an appearance Thursday on the Jeff Blair Show on Sportsnet Radio Fan 590, Ben Badler, scouting and player development writer for Baseball America, said although there’s no denying Soler’s raw skills, he is far from major-league ready.
“He’s one of the better prospects who have come over from Cuba in recent years,” said Badler, “but’s going to go to a-ball. He’s not going to be in the majors this year or next year.”
Fan 590 Audio: Baseball America’s Ben Badler on Jeff Blair Show
Badler added Soler has the tools to profile as an above-average major league right feidler due to his strong arm and “huge” power.
But before he can be offered a contract by a MLB team, Soler must first gain residency in the Dominican Republic, something he has applied for but has yet to receive.
Earlier this off-season Oakland A’s outfielder Yeonis Cespedes went through the same process before signining a four-year, $36 million deal with the club. He was declared a resident of the Dominican Republic on Jan. 24, declared a free agent by MLB the following day and 19 days later signed with Oakland.
As for Soler, unlike countrymen such as Cepedes, Alexei Ramirez of the Chicago Cubs and Kendrys Morales of the Los Angeles Angels, he has no experience with the Cuban national team, nor has he seen any action in the country’s top domestic league.
In addition to the Toronto Blue Jays’ rumoured interest, Jeff Passan of Yahoo! reported on Thursday that the Chicago Cubs are willing to sign Soler for four years and $27.5 million. Passan also reported that the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees are also interested in the services of the young outfielder.
