According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, the White Sox intend to sign Cuban outfielder Yoelkis Cespedes for $2 million when the delayed international signing period opens in January.
Yoelki Cespedes has joined our 2020-21 international big board 👀
See where he ranks based off expected signing bonus + a brand new report on the White Sox target via @BenBadler 👇https://t.co/c4ik59pzIX
Cespedes is the top-ranked international player by MLB Pipeline and the #12 prospect at Baseball America. The White Sox were linked to the highly touted prospect earlier in the year, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the international signing period from this past July to January of 2021.
Yes, Cespedes is the half-brother of MLB outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
MLB.com profiles Yoelkis Cespedes as a “five-tool outfielder with above-average tools across the board.” His arm has been comparable to Yoenis’, which is mind-boggling to most scouts. The 23-year-old’s build is similar to his half-brother due to him bulking 20 pounds since defecting from Cuba. Further reports indicate that Yoelkis has been working with Yoenis to fixing holes in his swing.
The only nagging negative regarding Cespedes is an inability to hit or refrain from swinging at offspeed pitches. Overall, the scouting report on Cespedes reads fairly similar to another recent “five-tool” outfielder from Cuba that developed in the White Sox organization — none other than Luis Robert.
While Cespedes will need some time in the minor leagues to develop and satisfy MLB rules, it is not a stretch to think he will be at the big league level by some point in 2022.
