According to a report from Baseball America, the Cubs have signed another International free agent. The Cubs inked 16-year old Venezuelan RHP Emilio Ferrebus for $250,000. Ferrebus would be the fourth international signing for the Cubs that Baseball America has announced since July 2.
RHP Emilio Ferrebus has a “smooth delivery and feel for his secondary pitches” that include “a low to mid-70s curveball and a low-80s changeup.” Ferrebus is 6-foot-1, 185 pounds and his fastball velocity varies but has touched the low-90s.
The Cubs have signed three players, according to Baseball America, for the maximum the team is allowed to during the 2014-2015 International signing period. Due to overspending last year, the Cubs cannot sign players to a bonus larger than $250,000 this year.
LHP Wander Cabrera signed for $250,000 and his deal includes $50,000 college scholarship money that does not count against the Cubs bonus pool. Cabrera is 6-foot-2, 190 pounds “and has shown solid arm strength” for being only 16 years old. Cabrera still needs to work on his delivery and throwing strikes according to Baseball America.
SS Yeiler Peguero is 5-foot-10 and 155 pounds with “an above average arm” and is an “above-average runner.” Baseball America thinks he has a chance to stick as a middle infielder. Peguero is a switch-hitter with a line-drive approach. Peguero signed for $250,000.
3B Tony Rijo is 16 years old and is 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds. Rijo is a right handed hitter with quick hands, a line-drive stroke and occasional power according to Baseball America. Rijo’s offense is reportedly ahead of his defense. Rijo has an average arm and “projects as either a third baseman or a corner outfielder.” The Cubs signed Rijo for $100,000.
The Cubs have an International signing bonus pool of $3,962,700 for the 2014-15 period.
- Here are the Cubs four slot values: (1) $2,288,700; (2) $458,000; (3) $309,300; (4) $206,700
The exemption that allowed teams to sign up to six players for up to $50,000 without it counting against the bonus pool has been eliminated this year. Teams can still sign players for $10,000 or less without it counting against the bonus pool.
Baseball America is not sure how many of the slots the Cubs will be able to include in trades. And the Cubs could end up signing “a lot of players in the $100,000 to $250,000 range.”
- International Signing Bonus Pools
- Four Slot Values for Each MLB Team
- Baseball America – Team-By-Team International Forecasts
- MLB.com – Top 30 International Prospects
- MLB.com – International Signing Rules