Jan. 18--Jason McLeod expressed his appreciation at Cubs Convention when a fan praised the Cubs for landing six of the top 30 international prospects.
But McLeod, the Cubs' senior vice president of player development and amateur scouting, tempered some of the enthusiasm because of the youth of the players signed.
"The fact remains, they're 16 years old," McLeod said Sunday. "And two years from now, we're going to know a lot more about them, and we still won't know that much about them until they're 20 years old."
McLeod described Cuban outfielder Eddy Julio Martinez, 20, who was signed last October, as a line drive hitter with a strong throwing arm who is built like an NFL defensive back.
Although general manager Jed Hoyer said he wouldn't be surprised if Major League Baseball institutes an international draft soon, the hunt for talent continues.
A showcase workout for Cuban left-handed hitting outfielder Yadiel Hernandez will be held Feb. 23 in Mexico City. Hernandez, 28, batted .369 for Mazanzas in 2014, has a .324 lifetime batting average in Cuba, a team can sign him without being subject to the international signing bonus pool rules, according to his representatives.
Shortstop Alejandro Rivera Martinez and third baseman Luis Perez Tejada also are scheduled to participate in the workout in front of numerous scouts.
