Cuban Prospects: Óscar Luis Colás (Chicago Whitesox)

Óscar Colas is one of biggest media attractions and talented baseball players to come out of Cuba in recent years. His immense talent landed him a contract at the age of 18 with the SoftBank Hawks of the NPB via the Cuban Baseball Federation.

At the start of his professional career he was known as the “Cuban Ohtani” because of his ability to pitch pitcher and hit. He pitched during his time in the Serie Nacional and the Cuban Sub 23 league. During his time in Japan he was converted from a dual threat player to strictly a position player. Colás even went yard in his first Japanese big league at-bat. As a pitcher he is equipped with a 95 mph heater from the left side.

Colás decided not to return to Cuba or the SoftBank Hawks after the 2019 season and had to sit out nearly two years while negotiating his release from the contract he signed with Asian ball club. His reaching the big leagues in Japan in 2019 activated a clause that gave Colas a brand new five year extension with SoftBank and his exit from that agreement had to be negotiated by his representatives.

Upon signing him the management of the White Sox decided to use him strictly as a hitter. His ascent through the minors has been a quick one justifying every penny of the 2.7 M of the contract he signed on March 21, 2021. Colás started his career at Advanced A Winston-Salem last season and ended at Charlotte (AAA). In 117 games he hit .314 with 23 dingers and 79 runs batted in and slashed .371/.524. A few months ago, the native of Santiago de Cuba debuted on MLB Pipeline’s best 100 list at #81. Thanks to an amazing his Spring Training this year he earned a roster spot with the big club. He has played 12 games in the majors so far and is hitting a respectable .275 with a double,a home run and four RBIs.


Scouting report:

Colás is an aggressive hitter who combines a quick left-handed swing with impressive strength to create above-average raw power. He shows good adaptability at the plate, using everything all fields and his two strike approach is impressive, especially against lefties. He worries less about power in two strike situations and just lets his hands do the work. He hit a robust .362 against left-handed pitching last year.

Although he moves well for a 6-foot-1, 220-pound huy, Colás has marginal speed and will have to maintain his conditioning to retain it. He spent most of his first season in the United States in center field, but is destined for right field, where he has above average range and a cannon for arm.

Scouting grades (20-80):

Contact: 45 | Power: 60 | Speed: 45 | Arm: 65 | Defense: 50 | Overall: 55

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