Source: Cuban OF Robert cleared to sign May 20

The top prospect in Cuba is one step closer to fulfilling his big league dream.

Top Cuban outfield prospect Luis Robert, 19, was declared a free agent by Major League Baseball on Thursday, according to a source. He will be eligible to sign with a big league club on May 20.
Widely considered the No. 2 international prospect behind Japanese dual phenom Shohei Ohtani, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound outfielder is a five-tool player whom scouts think can reach the big leagues quickly. Robert hit .393 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases in Cuba's Serie Nacional, the island's top league, last season.

The right-handed hitter, who profiles as a center fielder with plus power and speed, was described by one American League international scouting director as "the best player on the planet."

Jesse Sanchez ✔ @JesseSanchezMLB

Source: Cuban OF prospect Luis Robert, 19, was declared a free agent today but will not be eligible to sign until May 20. @MLBPipeline

11:48 AM - 20 Apr 2017

95 95 Retweets 173 173 likes

Where Robert lands is to be determined. This much is certain: The A's, Astros, Cardinals, White Sox, Padres and Reds are among the teams with strong interest in signing him. The teenage outfielder has more private workouts scheduled in the next few weeks and could have another showcase for all teams in May.

• International Amateur Free Agency & Bonus Pool Money

That Robert, who has established residency in Haiti, was cleared to sign before June 15 means several teams who exceeded their 2016-17 bonus pool remain in play to sign him. That includes the A's, Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Nationals, Padres and Reds. Those teams would have to sign Robert before the international signing period starts again on July 2, because once that date hits, they can no longer sign prospects for more than $300,000 per player. Robert is expected to command a multiyear, multimillion-dollar contract.

On the flip side, the Angels, Blue Jays, Cubs, D-backs, Dodgers, Rays, Red Sox, Royals and Yankees are limited to signing a player for $300,000 or less during the current signing period, effectively putting those teams out of play for Robert, who is expected to sign before July 2.

Every MLB team will have a cap of at least $4.75 million to spend on international prospects starting July 2, as per the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, including teams that are in the penalty and limited to spending no more than $300,000 on any one player. Any team receiving a Competitive Balance Round A pick in the Draft will get $5.25 million in international bonus-pool money. Additionally, teams receiving a Competitive Balance Round B pick will have $5.75 million to spend.

Once a Cuban player is declared a free agent, it's customary for Major League Baseball to allow a 30-day period for clubs to evaluate the player before he is officially eligible to sign.

Jesse Sanchez, who has been writing for MLB.com since 2001, is a national reporter based in Phoenix. Follow him on Twitter @JesseSanchezMLB and Facebook. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

5 favorites to sign Cuban OF phenom Robert

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 10:00 AM ET

The race to sign top Cuban outfield prospect Luis Robert is officially underway.

Robert is expected to command a multimillion-dollar bonus, and because he was cleared to sign before June 15, several teams who exceeded their 2016-17 bonus pool amount -- a list that includes the A's, Astros, Braves, Cardinals, Nationals, Padres and Reds -- remain in play to sign him. Those clubs will not be able to sign international prospects for more than $300,000 during the next international signing period that starts July 2. There are other notable teams that are already out of the mix.

Robert No. 1 on Top 30 International Prospects list

Whichever team signs Robert, the 19-year-old phenom likely won't reach the big leagues until 2019 at the earliest. Yoan Moncada, another five-tool prospect who signed out of Cuba at age 19, was on an extremely fast track, making his Major League debut late last year, less than 18 months after signing with Boston.

Where will Robert land? Let's take a look at the top candidates.

The favorites

White Sox: The young and talented Robert appears to be the perfect type of player for a rebuilding team that doesn't expect to contend until 2019. Chicago signed first baseman Jose Abreu out of Cuba in 2013 and traded for top Cuban outfield prospect Moncada in December, building a reputation as one of the most aggressive teams on the international market. Also, the White Sox are not in the penalty for exceeding their bonus pool amount during the current international signing period, which means it might have the millions it will take to sign a player like Robert at their disposal. Another thing to consider -- Chicago has not been linked to any high-profile prospects for the next international signing period that starts July 2, which bodes well if the White Sox enter the maximum penalty and cannot sign players for more than $300,000 if they blow past their current pool amount by signing Robert.

Padres: San Diego is already on the hook for close to $80 million, including overage penalties, for 45 prospects signed during the current international signing period, and the Padres have shown a willingness to invest millions to help their future. The club has a recent history with Cubans, having already signed left-handed pitcher Adrian Morejon for $11 million, outfielder Jorge Ona ($7 million), right-handers Michel Baez ($3 million), left-hander Osvaldo Hernandez ($2.5 million), Ronald Bolanos ($2.25 million) and left-handed pitcher Ramon Perez ($400,000) during the current international period. Could Robert be next?

Cardinals: St. Louis has been busy on the international market, spending around $11 million during the current international signing period on 26 prospects, including Cuban players Jonatan Machado ($2.35 million), Randy Arozarena ($1.25 million) and pitcher Johan Oviedo ($1.9 million). And it's no secret the Cardinals have been keeping their eyes on Robert for several months. His addition could provide an immediate boost to an organization in need of a talent infusion, especially when considering the Cards have limited draft picks in the 2017 Draft, and will be in the maximum penalty during the upcoming international signing period that starts July 2.

Reds: Cincinnati signed two Cuban players -- shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez for $7 million and pitcher Vladimir Gutierrez for $4.75 million -- during the current international signing period, and the Reds have emerged as one of the most active teams on the international market in recent years. Including penalties, the club has committed close to $20 million on more than 20 international prospects since July 2, and it has shown it will invest in what it believes is the right player for the organization. That said, Cincinnati knows Robert is a high-profile player and is not sure it would win a bidding war.

Astros: Houston spent close to $9 million on 27 international prospects since the signing period began last July, a list that includes Cuban pitcher Cionel Perez ($2.5 million) and Cuban shortstop Anibal Sierra ($1.5 million). The total commitment is already more than $15 million when overage penalties are included. Yes, the Astros were present at Robert's open showcase and have watched him work out privately, but the price will have to be right for them to invest in another young outfielder. The club already has tons of outfield depth in the organization with players like Derek Fisher, Teoscar Hernandez and Preston Tucker at Triple-A Fresno and Drew Ferguson, Alejandro Garcia and Ramon Laurea at Double-A Corpus Christi. Houston's system is also stacked with outfielders at the Class A levels.

The dark horse

A's: Oakland spent $5.6 million on three prospects -- Cuban outfielder Lazaro Armenteros, along with Dominican shortstops Yerdel Vargas and Marcos Brito -- and committed more than $10 million on the international market since July 2, when the overage penalty for exceeding its bonus pool amount is included. The A's have shown strong interest in Robert and could surprise the industry by signing the young outfielder. Remember, it was Oakland that shocked the baseball world by signing Yoenis Cespedes, at the time considered the most complete player to ever come out of Cuba, to a four-year, $36 million deal in 2012.

Out of the running

The Angels, Blue Jays, Cubs, D-backs, Dodgers, Rays, Red Sox, Royals and Yankees are limited to signing a player for $300,000 or less during the current signing period, putting those teams out of the running for Robert.

Your little friend who follows this stuff closely may have covered this, and if I get something wrong I'm sure he will correct the record ... but from what I gather the fact that MLB has made Robert a free agent now helps a handful of teams.

There are 7 teams that have already exceeded the amount they are allowed to spend on international signings. Reds, Padres, A's, Astros, Braves, Cardinals, and Nationals.

If MLB would have waited till after June 15th to make Robert a free agent then those teams would not have been a factor in signing him because as punishment for going over they are not allowed to spend more than 300 K on an international signed the next 2 years after June 15th.

5 of those 7 teams are very interested in Robert. The Braves and Nationals do not seem to show much interest for whatever reason. But why not for those other 5, they are already over. Can't be penalized any more. And the White Sox are also very interested, but in signing him that would put them over the pool amount and subject them to the 2 year penalty. So they have to weigh if he is worth it. But feeling is he will sign with one of those 6 teams.

The Angels, Blue Jays, Cubs, D-backs, Dodgers, Rays, Red Sox, Royals and Yankees are already in the penalty and cannot sign anybody now for over 300 K. So none of those teams will be a factor at all.

Have not heard any rumor at all on the Indians showing any interest. Too bad, I think this kid has a lot of potential.

The last time I showed any interest in an international free agent was a couple years ago when Vlad Guerrero JR was available. He and his Lug Nuts team just recently played against our Lynchburg club. Last year in short season rookie ball he had 15 steals, 12 dbls, 3 trpls, and 8 homers in 230 at bats. This year he has 2 homers 9 walks and 7 K in 13 games.

That's pretty much it in a nut shell.

Maybe the Indians should try to sign Robert anticipating the loss of Lindor down the road. No doubt Lindor is in for a big payday no matter if we sign him or he goes elsewhere.

There is this though ...

Indians Prospective @indiansPro
Source: #Indians favorites to sign 6'1 190lbs 16yr old OF George Valera (Dominican Republic) Highly touted prospect

youtu.be/TOa1-MY2MgU

Valera would be a July 2nd signing. Baseball America's @BenBadler likes his swing. Big money signing also. Heard Cano swing comparison.

Japanese baseball star Otani to be out 6 weeks with injury

TOKYO (AP) " Japanese baseball player Shohei Otani will be sidelined for about six weeks because of a left-thigh muscle strain, his team said on Sunday.

Otani, who is expected to move to Major League Baseball in 2018, hurt his left leg trying to beat out an infield single in the Nippon Ham Fighters' loss to the Orix BlueWave on Saturday.

The injury will add further debate to Otani's insistence on batting as well as pitching.

The 22-year-old right-hander didn't play for Japan in last month's World Baseball Classic due to an ankle injury he suffered in last year's Japan Series and aggravated while running the bases in the Premier12 tournament in November.

Otani has not pitched this season. Through eight games as the team's designated hitter, Otani has batted .470 with two homers.

He was selected as last year's MVP in the Pacific League and has drawn interest from numerous MLB clubs.

Lee Seung-yuop

Giants-Lions showdown goes retro

By Kang Hyun-kyung


Last week's showdown between the Lotte Giants and the Samsung Lions under the Classic Series drew keen attention from baseball fans for its non-game related elements.

Spectators of the three games held at Sajik Stadium in the baseball city of Busan were intrigued by the retro uniforms the players wore, the rivalry between their cleanup hitters and the contrasting fates the two clubs have faced this season.

"Back to the Past" was the theme of the three games held in a row starting Friday.

The Giants' players wore a white jersey with the Lotte name displayed in large red capital letters, a vintage design their founding members wore back in 1982 when the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League was launched with six clubs.

The four other founding members were the OB Bears, which later became the Doosan Bears, the Haitai Tigers which is now the Kia Tigers, the MBC Blue Dragons (now the LG Twins) and the Sammi Superstars which became the SK Wyverns after undergoing a series of eventful ownership changes. Four new teams were created in the 2000s as the KBO League has been thriving, attracting over 8 million spectators last year.

The Lions' jersey bore the Samsung letters in Chinese characters, an insignia the global company no longer uses.

The Giants and the Lions are the two only KBO clubs that still use the same names they had in 1982. To commemorate this, the two clubs agreed to hold the Classic Series which gave baseball fans the nostalgic feeling of the first year of the KBO League 35 years ago.

The Giants grabbed the Classic Series title with two wins and one loss, exciting their fans at the Sajik Stadium which once had the nickname of the world's largest karaoke room or "noraebang" because of the flamboyant, cheering fans.

Signs were evident that the ballpark is about to regain its nickname this season with the return of Lee Dae-ho.

The Giants' cleanup hitter proved himself a true game changer. The Giants placed 8th out of 10 KBO clubs last year. But this season the club is roaring and now is a runner-up following the Kia Tigers. Some baseball analysts made early speculation the Giants and the Tigers would be the two KBO clubs to face off in the best-of-seven Korean Series. The "Lee factor" is one of the critical reasons behind the rise of the Giants this season, they said.

The Giants' ballpark became crowded again as fans were anxious to see their favorite baseball star. Lee is Koreans' favorite baseball player, according to a Gallup poll in March, and his popularity in the southern port city is unrivaled. Whenever the first baseman appeared at-bat, Busan fans greeted him with thunderous applause, chanting his name in accordance with Kelly Chan's 1998 hit song "A Lover's Concerto." The line, "How Gentle is the Rain," was replaced by Giants fans with "Oh Our Dear Lee Dae-ho."

Whenever the slugger appeared in the field to practice swings ahead of his turn at-bat, those fans cheered for him and chanted, "How poor the pitcher is. The next player is Lee Dae-ho."

The Giants' first baseman reciprocated his fans' warmest welcome for him with great performances. Currently he is in first place in batting average and home runs. In the 14 games he's played this season, he's batted .460 with five home runs and 12 RBIs.

The Classic Series offered a showdown between the Giants' Lee and the Lions' cleanup hitter Lee Seung-yuop. The Lions' Lee is one of the greatest players of all time and is cited as the top candidate to be inducted into the baseball hall of fame, once the Hall of Fame building is completed.

He is the first Korean player to hit over 600 home runs during his professional baseball career in Korea and Japan. The 2017 season is his last year in the KBO League as he announced he would retire once the season is over. Early on he expressed a hope to bid farewell to baseball fans with his and his team's great performances in his last year in the KBO League. However, things have not gone the way he intended.

During the Classic Series, the Giants' Lee pulled together a solo home run in the eighth inning of the second game but his performance in general was not as great as in the past. He's batted .245 with two home runs and 7 RBIs in 14 games this year.

Despite this, baseball fans showed their unwavering support for the baseball legend. During the Classic Series, some of his fans held a blue sign which read "Legend Avenue 36" to indicate the Lions' cleanup hitter is a baseball legend to be remembered by baseball lovers for all time with his number 36.

The Giants-Lions showdown also showed the contrasting fates of the two teams__ the Giants are on the rise whereas the Lions are in decline.

The Giants are tied with the KT Wiz in second place with nine wins and five defeats. The Lions are placed in 10th out of 10 KBO clubs with three wins and 11 defeats.

Víctor Victor [ Victor "JR" ] confirmed traded to Havana Industriales
The top prospect of the IV World Baseball Classic, according to the magazine Baseball America, confirmed his trade to the blues.

By: Tony Díaz Susavila

HAVANA IT WAS A secret to all but finally the player himself, Victor Mesa JR revealed: "I am with the Industriales in National Baseball Series LVII."

The top prospect of the IV World Baseball Classic, according to the magazine Baseball America, will replace retired center fielder Carlos Tabares, who served for more than a decade as captain of Havana's blue armada, a winner of 12 titles in the domestic classic.

"My family is in Havana and moved from Matanzas," he told La Habada Perfecta, a local television program located in Habana, where he revealed that he is also training at the "Changa" Mederos stadium under the tutelage of manager Javier Méndez and A group of coaches, including Carlos Tabares himself.

"He has talent and the desire to play. He is one of the most covered outfield players, "said Tabares, who participated in 24 campaigns (1992-2017), during which time he was an Olympic champion in Athens 2004 and captain of the I World Classic. Mesa will take his place In the upcoming National Baseball Series LVII scheduled to begin on August 6.

Víctor Mesa, who directed his son in five seasons with Matanzas, a team in which he debuted in Season 52, expressed his certainty that his son will shine with the blues of the capital.
Victor Mesa and Victor Mesa JR

"He has all the tools to continue with his ascending career. He has shown it, although I always demand more from him. I tell him he still yet to explode, "Mesa said.

Several national and foreign media echoed the trade of the of Mesa's son from the Crocodiles of Matanzas to the Giraldillo Lions but to this day Mesa Jr denied that report including the newspaper Rebelde youth on March 9, preceding, IV World Classic.

Well, he is already Havana. Mesa Jr is one of the young players called upon to leave a great mark on Cuban baseball. Victor Mesa Sr was nicknamed "la explosión naranja” ("the orange explosion") for his spectacular catches and steals of home.

2016-2017 Regular Season Stats:
2016-2017 Regular Season Stats:

And this ...

Indians Prospective‏ @indiansPro 4 hours ago
Source: #Indians favorites to sign 5'10 175lbs 16yr old Aaron Bracho (Venezuela) Highly touted infield prospect.

https://youtu.be/dqs8CGvvELc

Bracho would be a July 2nd signing. Switch hitter with good power from both sides of the plate. Big money signing also.

Tale of the Tape: Robert vs. Moncada

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 1:41 PM ET + 8 COMMENTS

The comparisons between Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert were immediate and inevitable.

Stars back in Cuba and on the radar in international scouting circles for years, the teenage phenoms both burst on the scene in the United States at age 19, Moncada in 2014 and Robert earlier this year.

Teenagers with five tools, a track record in international competition and the potential to impact a big league club quickly don't come around very often so it's no surprise the two have been linked.

• Who will sign Luis Robert?

There's also a chance the young Cuban stars will be paired together for years to come. Moncada, 21, was traded from Boston to the White Sox last December and could end up as Robert's teammate in the future. The White Sox, along with the Padres, Cardinals, Reds, Astros and Athletics are also in the mix to sign him when he comes eligible to enter a contract with a Major League club on May 20.

• Source: White Sox to watch Robert's workout

An 18-year-old Moncada left Cuba in 2014 and signed with the Red Sox for a record $31.5 million bonus in 2015 a series of open showcases and private workouts. Because Boston exceeded its bonus pools, the Red Sox were also on the hook for an additional $31.5 million in overage penalty.

The market for Robert, who left Cuba in November, remains unclear, but his signing bonus is expected to be less than Moncada's and more than the $4-5 million bonus often paid to the top 16-year-old prospect when the international signing period begins each July 2. Robert is still working out privately for teams and another open showcase for all clubs is possibly in the works.

Both players are physical and athletic. Robert is 6-foot-3, 205 pounds. Moncada is 6-foot-2, 205 pounds. How do Robert and Moncada compare? Let's take a look.

Players are graded on a 20-80 scale for future tools: 20-30 is well below average; 40 is below average; 50 is average; 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average.

Hit: Moncada -- 60 | Robert -- 55

Robert is an above average hitter and scouts love his natural abilities at the plate, but some think the biggest knock on his game could be his hit tool. Robert has showed some swing-and-miss in game action and was fooled a few times when his Cuban squad competed against teams in the Canadian-American League last summer during their tour across the U.S. and Canada.

Moncada is a switch-hitter with an advanced approach for his age. He struck out 21 times and walked eight times in his first 68 plate appearances at Triple-A this season and continues to improve.

Advantage: Moncada.

Power: Moncada -- 60 | Robert -- 60

Robert might have a slight edge in raw power against Moncada, but not by much. Both hitters have shown the ability to drive the ball into the gap and hit home runs. The right-handed-hitting Robert has wowed scouts during batting practice and the belief is that the ability will translate into games and improve as he matures and he continues to grow.

Advantage: Robert

Run: Moncada -- 65 | Robert -- 70

Robert has been clocked at 6.15 seconds in 60-yard dash and consistently runs the distance in 6.3 seconds. That's elite level speed by any standard. For his part, Moncada ran in the 6.56- to 6.6-second range during his first showcase back in November of 2014. The belief is that Robert will be able to transfer his blazing speed to the base paths and on defense in center field. Moncada is also an above average runner and uses his speed in all parts of his game.

Advantage: Push

Arm: Moncada -- 60 | Robert -- 50

Scouts rave about Moncada's arm and have since his days as an amateur in Cuba. In fact, the versatile infielder made his big league debut last season at third base. Moncada plays in the middle of the diamond now, but has enough arm strength to play in the outfield if needed. Robert's arm is considered average at best and strong enough to keep him in center field.

Advantage: Moncada

Field: Moncada -- 50 | Robert -- 55

Robert is an above average defender and could get better because of his speed. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but he plays a premium position, putting him ahead of Moncada in that regard. Moncada is no slouch on defense, and his athletic ability allows him make up for any deficiencies in his game, but it's not the strongest part of his game.

Advantage: Robert

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SK Wyverns' Choi leading home run race with 9

With no Eric Thames in this year's Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League, Choi Jeong of the SK Wyverns leads the home run race with nine long balls.

The 30-year-old third baseman led the league in home run for the first time last year with 40 homers, being atop with former NC Dinos first basemen Thames, who now plays for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Aiming to become a home run leader for the second consecutive season, Choi is already off to a hot start, belting three home runs during the past three games. He is followed by three hitters with six home runs -- Lee Dae-ho of the Lotte Giants, Xavier Scruggs of the NC Dinos and his teammate Han Dong-min.

It is too early to make a conclusion, but Choi may hit up to 65 home runs by the end of the season if he keeps continuing to produce long balls at this pace.

Thanks to the tremendous performance of Choi, his team is leading the league in home runs (34), RBIs (106) and runs (109). Though the Incheon-based team was off to an awful start, taking six consecutive losses from the beginning, it now shares third place with the LG Twins and the KT Wiz in the standings with 11 wins and nine losses.

Beginning from Tuesday, the Wyverns will play a three-game series with the Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. It remains to be seen whether the Wyverns with their strong hitting can overcome the Seoul-based team which has the league's best team ERA of 2.73.

In Gwangju, 320 kilometers south of Seoul, the league-leading Kia Tigers (14 wins and six losses) will host a three-gamer against the cellar dwelling Samsung Lions, who are struggling in deep mud (three wins, two draws and 15 losses) beginning Tuesday.

The second place Dinos will host the Wiz at its home Masan Baseball Stadium in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, for a three-game series beginning Tuesday. The defending champion Doosan Bears (9-1-10), who now rank seventh, will have an away series against the ninth place Nexen Heroes (8-0-12) at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul beginning Tuesday.

The sixth-place Giants (10-0-10) will host the eighth place Hanwha Eagles (9-0-11) at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan. The Giants were off to good start recording seven wins and three losses in the first 10 games but their record is exactly inverse for the next 10 games, winning only three and losing seven.

BA Loses Two Longtime Contributors In Wayne Graczyk, Stan Denny
April 26, 2017 By J.J. Cooper

Wayne Graczyk, a longtime writer on Japanese baseball, died at the age of 68 on April 19, leaving the English-language Japanese baseball community without the man who was always at its center.

Also, longtime Baseball America photographer Stan Denny, who also was a former minor league player, died April 16 at age 82.

Graczyk had covered Japanese baseball for more than four decades, mostly for The Japan Times and Tokyo Weekender. He wrote for Baseball America for more than 30 years, chronicling the many U.S. players who came to Japan to play, but also eventually documenting the rise of Japanese players coming to the U.S. His last articles for Baseball America were written this spring, as he covered the World Baseball Classic in Japan.

He died in his hotel while on the road in his job as pregame reporter for Nippon Television’s broadcasts of Yomiuri Giants games.

Graczyk had a huge impact on the baseball community in Japan through his writing and humanity, moving to Japan after being stationed there with the U.S. Air Force in 1969.

Graczyk gradually created a niche as the English language access point to Japanese baseball. In 1976 he began writing his column, the “Baseball Bullet-in” in The Japan Times, and he was the longtime sports editor of the Tokyo Weekender while also assisting in NTV’s Giants broadcasts, for a while as an English language broadcaster and finally as their pregame reporter.

Thanks to his annual guide to Japanese Baseball, its teams and players, he cultivated connections with major league teams and foreign players. And before agents and major league scouting departments had people working in Japan, Graczyk was the guy who could lend a helping hand.

Baseball was his world, as he promoted the game, organized games for elementary school kids to play before the start of their first classes, brought people in the game together and built a community that benefited everyone.

Graczyk was old-fashioned and tended to be suspicious of people outside the mainstream. But once you were a member of the community, Graczyk was your staunchest ally.

“All the American players who played in Japan owe him a magnitude of thanks for his professionalism and being there for all of us when we need some kind of understanding why Japanese baseball is played they way it is,” longtime Japanese baseball star Warren Cromartie said. “I have pain and joy in my heart now. Pain because how much he meant to me and my family. Joy, knowing I had him for the best years of my life as a Tokyo Giant.”

Denny played at Indiana before playing three minor league seasons, compiling an 11-19 record. He made a lasting impression at BA through his photographs, which in the era before digital photos were usually shipped to the office in boxes of smoky 8-by-10s. Based in his hometown of New Albany, Ind., he focused on shooting Triple-A Louisville, across the Ohio River from New Albany, and the Cincinnati Reds and Bengals.

Denny, who also had coached high school baseball, had tremendous timing as a photographer due to his time in the game.

[ Emailed Wayne Gracyk on a few occasions as well as Bob Bavasi. Both Wayne and Bob were well-versed in Japanese baseball. What was most cool, all their articles are in English. Bob Bavasi's brother is Peter Bavasi who served as club president of the Indians for the seasons of 1985–86. ]

MLB: CUBAN PERFORMANCE, APRIL 28, 2017

This Friday in the Mayors, Yulieski Gurriel of Houston, Aroldis Chapman of New York and Adeiny Hechavarría for Miami, were the Cubans who did it best on that day.

Gurriel returned with his hot bat to connect for 4-3 against Oakland in Houston's 9-4 win. The Cuban hit his second homer of the season, a solo shot in the seventh inning, but also hit a double. Yuli had two runs scored and two RBIs and raised his offensive average to .347.

Meanwhile, Aroldis Chapman was the winner of a game where the Yankees overcame a 9-1 deficit, ending up beating Baltimore 14-11 in 10 innings. With a tie at eleven runs, Chapman came to work on the top of the 10th inning, completing a perfect inning with two strikeouts. With his work Chapman lowered his PCL to 1.08 and now has 13 strikeouts in 8 1/3 with 5 saves and one win in the season.

Finally, Hechavarría continued his good return with the bat, connecting 4-2 in the disastrous Miami 12-2 loss to Pittsburgh. Hechavarria hit a triple and scored one of his two runs, raising his season average to .268

Without more, here the results and performances where Cubans saw action.

COL 3, ARI 1

Nolan Arenado (COL) 3-1 | 2B | C | CI | BB | SW

Yasmany Tomás (ARI) 4-0 | SW

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MIN 6, KC 4

Eric Hosmer (KC) 3-1 | C | CI | BB

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STL 7, CIN 5

Aledmis Díaz (STL) 5-1

Raisel Iglesias (CIN) 1 INN | BB

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HOU 9, OAK 4

Yulieski Gurriel (HOU) 4-3 | 2B | HR | 2 C | 2 CI

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ATL 10, MIL 8

Adonis García (ATL) 4-2 | 2 C | CI | BB

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LAA 6, TEX 3

Yunel Escobar (LAA) 5-1 | HR | C | CI

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CWS 7, DET 3

Nick Castellanos (DET) 4-2 | C | SO | EF

Alex Avila (DET) 2-0 | 2 BB

José Iglesias (DET) 4-0 | BR

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BOS 5, CHC 4

Jon Jay (CHC) 1-1

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SEA 3, CLE 1

Guillermo Heredia (SEA) 3-1

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PIT 12, MIA 2

Adeiny Hechavarría (MIA) 4-2 | 3B | C

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TB 7, TOR 4

Kendrys Morales (TOR) 5-0 | 2 SO

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NYY 14, BAL 11 (10)

Aroldis Chapman (NYY) 1 INN | H | 2 SO | G (1)

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LAD 5, PHI 3

Yasmani Grandal (LAD) 3-0 | CI | SW

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[ They're finally getting daily reports in Cuba concerning the defectors that are performing at the major league level. Up until the last couple of years, it was difficult to even find their names on any of the web sites or in their newspapers. The Cuban fans on the Island are finally getting what they deserve. ]

Athletics Agree To Terms With Mega Prospect Lazaro Armenteros
March 25, 2017 1B Lazaro Armenteros assigned to AZL Athletics..
By Jeff Todd and Charlie Wilmoth | July 2, 2016 at 1:29pm CDT

Lazaro Armenteros OF AZL Athletics
Rookie | Arizona League
MLB Parent Club: Oakland Athletics

Status: Active
Full Name: Lazaro Robersy Armenteros
Age: 17 (May 22, 1999)
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Bats/Throws: R/R Ht: 6' 0" Wt: 182

Mega Prospect, Lazaro Armenteros, better known as “Lazarito,” is a 16-year-old Cuban-born outfielder.

One veteran American League international scout called him young and raw, but a rare talent with signs of Willie Mays and Bo Jackson, due to his combination of speed and power….

This kid, possessing a rare combination of dazzling speed, raw power and outfield arm strength, with a future as a corner outfielder, can be that good.

Armenteros made the all-tournament team at the 15U Baseball World Cup in Mexico in 2014 after hitting .462 with eight extra-base hits in nine games.

Armenteros left Cuba on a plane with his mother for Ecuador in late spring, but he was denied entry by Ecuadorian immigration officials and sent back to Cuba. He then traveled to Russia — a known ally of Cuba since the days of the Soviet Union — with the hopes of flying directly to Haiti from Moscow, but he was once again denied and put on a plane back to the island. The resourceful teen bought a ticket for Haiti during a layover in Germany. He eventually made his way inside the baseball community in the Dominican Republic.

There's a 16-year-old Cuban prospect living in an old house on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Meet Lazarito.

[ I posted several articles about "Lazarito". Here's another prospect I was hoping to see in Cleveland. BUT................

Matthew DelVecchio @MDelVecc5306

@hoynsie @TJZuppe are the indians in the Lazaro Armenteros running? The young man looks special.

5:10 PM - 3 Feb 2016

Hey, Matthew: The Indians like the 16-year-old Cuban outfielder, but have no chance to sign him. Armenteros figures to sign for $20 million with another $20 million in luxury tax penalties to the team that signs him.

[ As expected, the A’s have agreed to terms with Cuban teenager Lazaro Armenteros on a $3MM deal ! Badler explains, the bonus suggests that Lazarito rates as a top traditional July 2 prospect. But he’ll come nowhere near the $31.5MM contract given to Moncada. Oakland originally signed Cuban Yoenis Cespedes before the 2012 season.

Hope history does not repeat itself. We didn't make an offer!! ]

Armenteros was declared a free agent in early February. It means most of the teams have already spent or exceeded their international signing bonus pools and face penalties for more spending. The group includes the Dodgers, Cubs, Royals and Giants, according to mlbtraderumors.com.

The penalties, however, will not stop a team from signing him. Armenteros, according to USA Today, has already been offered $16 million from a Japanese team.

Lazaro Armenteros should be making his pro debut in Arizona the summer. I'll have to sneak a few peaks on the kid this summer.]