Two more Cuban prospects managed to sign with MLB organizations adding to the number of Antilleans in major league farm systems. Marcos Belen and Yobal Rodríguez signed with the Guardians and White Sox respectively.
Rodríguez is a young right-hander on the verge of signing a major league contract with the Chicago White Sox on January 15th and taking the next step in his career. Born in 2008, this promising talent joins an organization with a history of developing Cuban players into stars.
Rodríguez’s incorporation to the White Sox organization will represent an important stage in his development as a player. Armed with a good fastball and an array breaking pitches expect the hurler to gradually work his way through the team’s farm system. However, his success in the organization will largely depend on his dedication and discipline.
In the case of Belen the shortstop from Santiago de Cuba will sign with Cleveland for the sum of 215K. The Cuban infielder is a promising hitter, standing out in the youth categories during his time in Cuba. His performance led him to make his debut in the Serie Nacional with the Avipas de Santiago last season. But as many promising prospects decide to do he fled the island to greener pastures in the Dominican Republic.
With the international signing period a week away expect plenty of Cubans to ink deals with major league ballclubs adding to the numbers in their farm systems. Signing contracts after fleeing the communist island during the international signing period allows many young Cubans to overcome the difficult situations they face at home and make a better life for their families.