Once heralded Athletics prospect Lázaro Armenteros signed with the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association for the league’s upcoming season. Coming out of Cuba the outfielder was considered a five-tool talent but never reached his full potential the organization envisioned when they signed him.
In July 2016, the Cuban signed a contract with the Oakland Athletics for a 3M dollars bonus., but it was not until the following season that he made his debut in the Dominican Summer League (DSL). A few years later he came to be considered the organization’s best prospect. In total the outfielder played seven seasons in the A’s farm system.
Armenteros was released by Oakland last July, right at the MLB All-Star break. Last season, the Cuban prospect was put on the 40-man roster but his promotion did not last long mainly due to the high number of strikeouts (154) he amassed during the campaign. During his time in the minors with the A’s he slashed .250/.359/.423/.782 with 68 longballs, 272 runs batted in and 107 stolen bases.
This winter Armenteros played with Cuba in the Premier 12 and hit .232 with 10 RBIs in 17 games with the Leones de Ponce of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente. With a good showing in the independent circuit the could peak the interest of a Mexican or Asian club.
Cubans signed in the Independent Leagues:
American Association:
Yusniel Díaz OF (Lincoln)
Franny Cobos RHP (Lincoln)
Lázaro Armenteros OF (Kansas City)
Rogelio Quesada RHP (Fargo-Moorhead)
Frontier League:
Heisell Baro LHP (New England)*
Yassel Pino IF (Down East)
Juan Carlos Negret OF (Trois-Rivières)
Atlantic League:
No Cubans on rosters
Pioneer League:
Maikol Pérez OF (Ogden)
Intercounty League of Canada:
Yadian Martínez RHP (Kitchener)
Yankiel Mauri RHP (Kitchener)
Yosvani Peñalver OF (Kitchener)
Yordan Manduley IF (Kitchener)
Yunior Ibarra C (Kitchener)
Andy Vargas RHP (Kitchener)