The "Cuban Ohtani" is officially part of the Chicago White Sox organization.
The long anticipated signing of international free agent Oscar Colás was made official Tuesday, the White Sox announcing a pact with the 23-year-old outfielder that came with a $2.7 million bonus.
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Colás has drawn plenty of attention, chiefly for the monster offensive numbers he put up in Cuba and in the Japanese minor leagues. The White Sox have been the favorites to sign him for a long while, and the union was practically a foregone conclusion as Colás spent months posting pictures of himself in team gear on social media.
Colás drew hype as a potential two-way star who might have been able to reach the same heights as reigning American League MVP Shohei Ohtani, but he doesn't plan to chase that unique brand of stardom, opting to focus on the hitting that he's done so well.
The addition of another young Cuban star continues the incredible tradition the White Sox have established of employing that nation's top talent, which goes all the way back to soon-to-be Hall of Famer Minnie Miñoso and has surged in the modern era, with José Abreu, Yoán Moncada, Yasmani Grandal and Luis Robert currently playing for the major league team and exciting prospects Yoelqui Céspedes, Norge Vera, Yolbert Sanchez and now Colás populating the minor leagues.
MLB
Céspedes was the top ranked player in last year's international signing class, and the White Sox have now landed another top-five player this time around, Colás ranked as the No. 5 prospect in this year's crop.
In addition to Colás, the White Sox also announced the signing of 17-year-old Dominican outfielder Erick Hernández, who is the No. 28 prospect in this year's class. He's a left-handed hitter who can play all three outfield positions and has been compared to Washington Nationals star Juan Soto.