This Monday, December 15, the 2025 international signing period concluded. Forty-one players born in Cuba signed contracts, with only players from the provinces of Artemisa and Holguín failing to secure deals. Matanzas led the way with 10 signings. Kevin Álvarez, Diego Tornés and Alejandro Cruz were the most highly regarded prospects from the island.
Kevin Alvarez who was born in Cuba but relocated to the Dominican Republic with his father in December 2021 heads up the field. The outfielder has drawn raves for his all-around skill set. The outfielder boasts a tremendously advanced left-handed swing for his age. While he does have a slight up stroke, it’s counterbalanced by his feel for the strike zone and no fear approach in the box. The slugger Kyle Tucker comparison for his setup and bat path, expect more power to come with maturity.
Alvarez has just an average throwing arm, but takes proper routes to the ball while on the grass and this maximizes his athleticism with the glove. He projects to be a bat-first corner outfielder in the long term. This season in Astros’ Dominican Summer League team the Matanzas, Cuba native slashed .301/.419/.455/.874 with two homeruns, 33 runs batted in over 47 games.
Diego Tornés was one of the younger players in the class, Tornes was just 16 for most of his first pro campaign. Despite his relative youth, Tornes is more developed physically than many of his peers due to his world-class speed and top-tier bat from both sides of the dish. Tornes’ swing is geared to generate power, especially from the left side, the switch-hitting native of Havana has drawn comparisons to Anthony Santander. If it all clicks, Tornes projects to be middle-of-the-order bat as he works his way up through an organization’s farm system.
Tornes projects to be a corner outfielder once he reaches majors. Equipped with above-average arm strength that would make him a natural fit in right field and his plus run tool, would make him a player able to impact the game on both sides of the ball. Tornes saw action in 32 with the Braves’ Dominican Summer League squad the Cuban hit .279 with five doubles, five triples, 13 runs batted in and 24 stolen bases.
Alejandro Cruz is a highly decorated player on the international stage, having won tournament MVP at the 15U world qualifier in Venezuela in 2022 before appearing for Cuba in the 15U world championship in Mexico.
Cruz is a hitter who is adept at using his weight to help him generate power from his short right-handed swing. The infielder profiles profiles as a middle-of-the-order bat in the future. His home run power is currently to his pull side, but with a maturity there’s reason to think there is a lot more power can be unlocked. At 6-foot-3 had room to add more pounds of muscle to his frame which would not hamper his simple hitting approach due to his better-than-average eye at the plate.
Cruz is a plus runner who is a threat to steal a base once on. With very polished defensive ability, primarily at the hot corner, he has the potential to be a plus defender, despite his average arm and range. Although he only hit .228 with the White Sox’s DSL team he still swatted four longballs, knocked in 15 runs and stole 18 bases over 48 games.
Cuban signings per province:
▪️ Matanzas (10):
Kevin Álvarez (Houston)
Luis Morejón (Colorado)
Yoslaniel Hernández (Pittsburgh)
Anthony Santa Cruz de Oviedo (Angels)
Naykel Cruz (Baltimore)
Briam Reyes (Cardinals)
Héctor Cabrera (Cardinals)
Yordy Madariaga (Phillies)
Osniel Castillo (White Sox)
Lázaro Ronald Mena (Cubs)
▪️ La Habana (7):
Diego Tornes (Braves)
Meykel Baro (Baltimore)
Kadil Rubio (Tampa)
Eduardo Guillén (Phillies)
Cristhian Duarte (Toronto)
Rey Cruz (Phillies)
Alejandro Bustamante (Brewers)
▪️ Las Tunas (4):
Cristhian Espinosa (Phillies)
Ricardo Fernández (Cardinals)
Alieski Torres (Toronto)
Andey Garrido (Cardinals)
▪️ Sancti Spíritus (3):
Alejandro Cruz (White Sox)
Maikol Rodríguez (Seattle)
Miguel Neira (Texas)
▪️ Guantánamo (3):
Alexander Valiente (Toronto)
Yordan Rodríguez (Athletics)
Roilan Portuondo (Pittsburgh)
▪️ Santiago de Cuba (3):
Marcos Belen Pileta (Cleveland)
Luis Fonseca (Toronto)
Yuaxander Silveira (Houston)
▪️ Cienfuegos (2):
Adriano Marrero (Marlins)
Yunior Villavicencio (Baltimore)
▪️ Villa Clara (2):
Alex Rodríguez (Texas)
Liordanys Menéndez (Angels)
▪️ Granma (2)
Yeison Acosta (Baltimore)
Roberto Peña (Mets)
▪️ Camagüey (1)
Luis Mantilla (Bravos)
▪️ Pinar del Río (1):
Marcos Argudín (Texas)
▪️ La Isla (1)
Ronald Terrero (Baltimore)
▪️ Mayabeque (1):
Yulian Quintana (Pittsburgh)
▪️ Ciego de Ávila (1):
Yobal Rodríguez (White Sox)