The Houston Astros have signed nine foreign players.
The Houston Astros sign two Cuban outfielders, but they withhold the official announcement of a rumored trade involving a Top 50 prospect.
On the first day of the signing window, the Houston Astros signed nine players to international prospect contracts, the team announced on Monday.Dominican Republic outfielder Anderson Paula was not included in the list of the nine prospects. It was earlier on Monday, according to MLB Pipeline, that Paula and the Astros had reached an agreement.
Cesar Yanquiel Hernandez, a Cuban outfielder, was the most well-known of the nine announced signings and he reportedly signed a $1.7 million bonus. The Astros withheld the financial details.
Hernandez is described as a “strong, twitchy and muscular center fielder with a rare combination of hitability, power and speed” in a release from Astros senior scouting advisor Charlie Gonzalez.
This calendar year, the Astros have $5.925 million to spend abroad.
Another Cuban outfielder who signed with the Astros is Luis Rives.
According to Astros assistant scouting director Raymon Sanchez, “Luis Rives is a strong, well-proportioned, switch-hitting outfielder that can generate power from both sides of the plate.”
Francheli Silverio, a shortstop from the Dominican Republic, was also mentioned by the Astros as a prospect to keep an eye on because of his “strong build and advanced bat impressed the scouting staff.”
Astros Dominican Republic scouting supervisor Alferdo Ulloa stated, “Silverio shows good hand-eye coordination and contact skills, and we expect his growing power to continue to develop as he adds strength to his projectable frame.”
The remaining players in the Astros’ announced class are Venezuelan catcher Alexi Quiroz, Dominican Republic-born outfielder Amauri Ramirez, Dominican Republic-born pitchers Angel Peralta and Cristian Navarro, Dominican Republic-born infielder Eduardito Lopez, and Dominican Republic-born pitcher Kevin Santana.
The No. 49-ranked international prospect will be signed by the Astros if they and Paula close their deal.
Paula “has tons of power potential, and that tool makes him one of the most intriguing international prospects on the market,” according to scouts at MLB Pipeline. He has strength in every area, and once he starts working out with the Astros, his technique will improve.
