Chicago Cubs add major talent on International Signing Day

International signing day saw the Chicago Cubs sign a group of international prospects, including two ranked in the top 50. As mentioned recently, the Cubs were favored to sign top-international prospects Alexis Hernandez (#18) and Adán Sánchez (#43) prior to the signing date. Both prospects did indeed sign with the organization.

Hernandez received $1.3 million and Sanchez got $1.5 million per MLB Pipeline. According to Baseball America, the Cubs had a total of $5,179.700 in international prospect money, so they signed several other players, including Jefferson Rojas, Josias Ramírez, Yidel Díaz, Moisés Febrillet, Albertina Belliard, Josefrailin Alcantara and Carlos Altuve.

Chicago Cubs: What do you need to know about these prospects?

There has been plenty of hype around Hernandez and Sánchez, seeing as they are top-50 prospects. Hernandez, 17, is a shortstop out of the Dominican Republic and the younger brother of Cristian Hernandez, the Cubs’ third-ranked prospect in the farm system. He is said to have all the same tools and is very athletic. He was listed as an overall 55 scout grade player prior to signing. Sánchez, 16, is a catcher/third baseman from Panama who possesses some real power potential and was part of the Panamian Little League World Series team. He has an overall scouting grande of 50.

The other prospects might not be ranked, but it certainly does not mean they cannot develop into something special. Jefferson Rojas, 16, is a shortstop out of the Dominican Republic who reportedly will sign for $1 million. Josias Ramírez (CF) , Moisés Febrillet (SS), Yidel Díaz (C), Joséfrailin Alcantara (OF) and Albertina Belliard (OF) are from the Dominican Republic. Carlos Altuve is a catcher from Venezuela. A lot of very young and raw potential here, which can hopefully add more valuable depth to the farm system.

Having this kind of depth is very exciting, there is not only future potential for the Cubs on the field but could give the team future trade assets for when the time to pull of a significant deal is right.

As in years past the Cubs are stocking up on shortstop talent because of the typical athletic abilities of guys at that position, which can allow them to move around the diamond where needed. They already have the elder Hernandez, Ed Howard, James Triantos and Kevin Made (who plays third as well), as shortstops in their farm system. It is also good to see them bring in more catching talent into the system.

The Cubs will hopefully confirm these signings soon, as this is usually how the process works. Enjoy watching these guys sign, because they might be the only notable moves for the team for a while with the lockout showing no signs of ending anytime soon.