According to reports from Baseball America and MLB.com, the Cubs have signed 16-year old Dominican switch-hitting shortstop Frandy De La Rosa for $700,000. According to Baseball America, Frandy De La Rosa (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) does things that scouts like but also has a few question marks. De La Rosa reportedly has a smooth swing from both sides of the plate and can handle the bat equally from the left and right side. He possesses a simple, short swing with quick hands and has shown the ability to barrel ball up. De La Rosa is seen more as a line drive hitter right now and not much of a power threat.
De La Rosa is not quite an average runner according to Baseball America and while he has shown improvement, he does not have the range or arm for shortstop. De La Rosa is seen as a potential offensive-oriented second baseman but where he plays could change as he develops.
Baseball America ranked Frandy De La Rosa as the 19th best international prospect while MLB.com had him 10th on their list prior to the beginning of the international signing period.
Monday, July 2 is the beginning of the international free agent signing period. Under the new CBA, the international system now operates with money pools and like the First-Year Player Draft there are penalties for teams that exceed the pool. Every team will be able to spend $2.9 million without penalty for the 2012-2013 signing period. Beginning in 2013 (2013-2014 signing period), signing pools will range from approximately $1.7 million to $4.8 million and will be based on each team’s winning percentage in the prior season.
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