According to a report from Baseball America, the Cubs signed South Korean OF Kwang-Min Kwon. The Cubs were believed to have a deal in place with the 17-year old on July 2 but reports were not confirmed until Sunday night.
OF Kwang-Min Kwon signed for $1.2 million.
The 17-year old outfielder (Dec. 12, 1997) is 6-foot-2, 194 pounds. Kwon hits and bats from the left side. In 12 games, 52 plate appearances, in 2014 he was 20-for-43 with four doubles and a triple (.465/.529/.605). This past season in 15 games, Kwon was 13-for-54 with three doubles and a home run (.259/.397/.370). In 41 games, Kwon was 41-for-121 with seven doubles, one triple and one home run for a .339/.458/.438 slash line.
Scouting information on Kwon is very limited; stats are all that are available. Kwang-Min Kwon has been spending his time working in the gym and on his English. And reports indicated the Cubs’ Paul Weaver called him a complete player, with good baseball tools. Kwon was an infielder during his sophomore year in high school and moved to the outfield.
OF Kwang-Min Kwon falls under the International free-agent signing regulations and will count towards the team’s International signing bonus pool.
The Cubs were rather busy when the 2015-16 International signing period began last month (July 2). The Cubs reportedly agreed to terms with six prospects at the time and well exceeded the signing bonus pool.
After the trade with the Angels that sent C Rafael Lopez to Los Angeles for LHP Manny Rondon and the Angels’ International slot number four ($149,700), the Cubs adjusted bonus pool for the 2015-16 signing period is $3,380,400.
The Cubs agreed to terms with the following players on or before July 2: SS Yonathan Perlaza – $1.3 million; OF Yonathan Sierra Estiwal – $2.5 million; SS Aramis Ademan – $2 million; C Miguel Amaya – $1 million (plus, $250,000 scholarship); RHP Yunior Perez – $600,000; 3B Christopher Martinez – $1 million.
If the reported figures are accurate, the Cubs have already committed $9.6 million and are believed to have strong interest in signing Cuban OF Eddy Julio Martinez.
• Full Report from Yonhap News Agency on the signing of OF Kwang-Min Kwon
• Cubs Agree to Terms with Six International Prospects [July 2] – Report includes scouting information on SS Yonathan Perlaza, OF Yonathan Sierra Estiwal, SS Aramis Ademan, C Miguel Amaya, RHP Yunior Perez and 3B Christopher Martinez