Yoelqui Cespedes, the top international outfield prospect according to MLB Pipeline, is expected to sign with the White Sox next month, according to reports.
Cespedes, 23, the younger half-brother of free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, is expected to receive a $2 million bonus. Considered a five-tool player, Cespedes is ranked 12th among international prospects by Baseball America.
The delayed international signing period begins Jan. 15. The Sox are not yet confirming the deal, reported by MLB.com and Baseball America Tuesday.
Cespedes defected from the Cuban National Team in June 2019, and added 15 pounds of muscle since then. Per Baseball America, the 5-9 Cespedes “has a shorter but strong, athletic frame with added bulk since leaving Cuba, showing good bat speed and a strong arm from the outfield.”
Cespedes will join a Sox organization rich in Cuban history and talent with current stars Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert and past stars Minnie Minoso, Alexei Ramirez, Jose Contreras and Orlando Hernandez.
The Sox, who signed Cuban shortstop Yolbert Sanchez for $2.5 million in last year’s class, are also expected to sign Cuban right-hander Norge Vera, who ranks 20th on the MLB Pipeline list. The earliest arrival to the majors for Cespedes would probably be 2022.
The Sox have been one of the more active teams this offseason, trading for right-hander Lance Lynn and signing free agent outfielder Adam Eaton as they plug in pieces to what they believe will be a championship roster under new manager Tony La Russa.
“The work of the front office, they’ve got the roster [to something] special to this point and to come in this winter and add Lance and add Adam Eaton, it’s gotten everybody fired up,” La Russa said Monday. “It just makes us more of a serious contender.”
With closer Alex Colome becoming a free agent, the Sox are turning their attention to a ninth-inning reliever, and they have been linked to free agent Liam Hendriks.
“You do the best you can to identify that late-inning closer,” La Russa said. “I know our front office is working hard to make it happen.”
