The Cubs announced the signing of outfielder Eloy Jimenez on Thursday night in the Dominican Republic. The Cubs signed the top international prospect for $2.8 million that includes a $250,000 college scholarship, the same deal that was reported last month.
The Cubs have signed shortstop Gleyber Torres ($1.7 million), RHP Jefferson Mejia ($850,000), RHP Erling Moreno ($650,000), catcher Yohan Matos ($270,000) and RHP Jen-Ho Tseng ($1.625 million) since the J2 signing period began. The Cubs have committed $7.895 million to international signings, well over their $5.5 million international pool money.
Eloy Jimenez has reportedly been working out at the Cubs’ new facility in the Dominican.
A report last month indicated that Jimenez turned down $5 million from another team. Jimenez and his family love Sammy Sosa and the idea of Jimenez being able to play at Wrigley Field one day.
Eloy Jimenez is 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and the 16-year old is athletic for his size. According to Baseball America, Jimenez ran the 60-yard dash in 6.72 seconds in January. Jimenez figures to slow down once he gets bigger and projects as a corner outfielder. Jimenez has good hand-eye coordination, a quick bat and uses the middle of the field. Jimenez has raw power with a flat swing, that can sometimes get long, that produces line drives. Some think Jimenez could develop above-average power. Scouts have reportedly been impresses with Jimenez’s intelligence, speed and gap-to-gap power.
The signing was announced at a press conference in the Dominican and Eloy Jimenez wore a Cubs’ hat and jersey.
More Scouting Info on Eloy Jimenez from Baseball America