The Dodgers have signed a pair of Cuban teenagers to multi-million dollar contracts, outfielder Yusniel Diaz and second baseman Omar Estevez, according to multiple reports Sunday.
Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reported that Diaz, 19, will get a $15.5 million signing bonus and Estevez, 17, signed for $6 million. Here’s more from that report:
Diaz sported a .348 batting average with an on-base percentage of .448 and a slugging percentage of .440 during his first season with the Havana Industriales. He also hit 13 doubles and three triples in 65 games for the Industriales. Diaz, who is sometimes referred to as “Yusnier,” showed athleticism along with some hitting and power. He has plus speed.
Estevez showed above-average power in games and solid raw power in batting practice. He has a muscular body, but he’s not too bulky and has been praised for his lateral agility at second base. He doesn’t have the strongest arm but shows good actions on defense.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Diaz was the favorite to win the award for the top rookie in Cuba’s Serie Nacional, the island’s top league, last season, but he defected before he could be given the award.
The Dodgers have signed 28 international prospects during this signing period, according to the report, having long since blown through their $2,020,300 bonus allotment. Teams are taxed 100 percent on the overage by MLB.
Diaz evidently has an Instagram account, which posted this highlight video just yesterday: