Monday, November 7, 2011
Baseball Prospectus: Goldstein: Yoenis Cespedes: The Showcase
The message, written in all caps, thanks the readers for coming to the showcase and links to a YouTube page with the video presented at the event. The video concerns Yeonis Cespedes, a 26-year-old outfielder who is currently in the Dominican looking to sign with a big league team. His resume from Cuba is significant as he hit .333 during the 2010-11 campaign while joining Jose Abreu in establishing a new league record with 33 home runs. He’s a tremendous talent—arguably the best all-around player to come out of Cuba in a generation. He’s a legitimate centerfielder with plus power and speed and is in his prime. Much like Aroldis Chapman was the best pitcher from the island, Cespedes is the best position player, and Mercedes will be expecting (and likely getting) a Chapman-like deal in the neighborhood of $30 million.
Goldstein reviews the video and it’s pretty hilarious. The last 40 seconds is Cespedes roasting a pig.
Passan says the “Yankees are particularly hot for the right-handed Cespedes, according to one source who attended an open workout Friday in the Dominican Republic, where he compared Cespedes to Los Angeles Angels top prospect Mike Trout(notes) for their similar size, speed and potential.”
Even if Cespedes is a bust, sounds like he’ll be entertaining. Adding him and Darvish would sure make the team more interesting.
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