With January 15th looming, scouting expert Ben Badler has given us the heads up on three Cubans that on the date in question will sign for more than a million dollars with major league ballclubs. Cuba has had an enormous exodus of young talent from U-12 up over the last five years that has decimated its young talented that in turn his gradually affected the Serie Nacional.
In the recent signing periods various Cubans such as Diego Tornés, Yandel Ricardo and Kevin Álvarez have secured large bonuses from MLB clubs.The renowned expert on the subject has given us scouting report on in his own words these such juveniles from the largest of the Antilles:
Jaider Suarez, SS, Cuba
Born: Dec. 23, 2008. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-2. Wt.: 185.
Team: Royals
After being the youngest player on the Cuban team at the U-15 World Cup in 2022 when he was 13, Suarez in 2023 dominated in Cuba’s 15U national league. He hit .355/.495/.605 with 22 walks (including a league-high nine intentional walks) and seven strikeouts in 101 plate appearances for Ciego De Avila, leading the league with three home runs and tied for the league lead with 17 stolen bases. Suarez has broad shoulders on a strong frame and good bat-to-ball skills from the right side of the plate. His raw power has spiked considerably over the past year as he’s gotten stronger and adjusted his swing to get better separation and incorporate his lower half more, giving him the look of a player who could end up hitting 20-plus homers. A plus runner, Suarez doesn’t have the typical shortstop build and some scouts think he could end up at third base, but scouts highest on him think he could stay at shortstop and that he fields his position well with good instincts and a plus arm.
Joniel Hernandez, SS, Cuba
Born: March 6, 2009. B-T: R-R. Ht.: 6-1. Wt.: 175.
Team: Padres
Hernandez is a quick-twitch, bursty athlete. He has a lean, wiry frame with the projection to get stronger while staying athletic. He’s a plus runner with an above-average arm. Those tools give him a chance to stay at shortstop if his hands and defensive instincts improve, though his speed and athleticism could translate to center field if needed or he could end up moving around the infield and outfield. Hernandez loads with a leg kick and uses quick hands to fire the barrel with good bat speed. He’s still learning to recognize spin and be more consistent with his timing, but when everything is synced up, he can drive the ball with impact. He has projection to grow into above-average power.
Ruben Gallego, SS, Cuba
Born: Nov. 4, 2008. B-T: B-R. Ht.: 6-0. Wt.: 163.
Team: Diamondbacks
Gallego has the traits to stick at shortstop. He’s a smart, instinctive defender with smooth, fluid actions at the position. He’s an average runner with quick feet, soft hands and a quick transfer to an average arm. Scouts were split on Gallego’s pure hitting ability, with some seeing him as a defensive-oriented player and others thinking he would be a solid hitter with a line-drive approach and gap power. There’s still more physical upside left in his frame, though he doesn’t project to ever be a big power hitter.
With the increased defections of Cuban youths from the communist island expect not only the amount of signings on January 15th, but the amount of Cubans in the big leagues to rise substantially. A total of 34 Cubans played in the majors last year, which is a record. Expect that number to hit at least 50 by the end of the decade.