A’s sign Cuban prospect Lazaro Armenteros

The Oakland Athletics have agreed to terms with MLB.com’s No. 8 overall international prospect.

Along with four other international players, the A’s signed Cuban outfielder Lazaro “Lazarito” Armenteros on the opening day of the international signing period. Armenteros, who now makes his home in Haiti, will join the Athletics organization for $3  million, according to a press release from the team.

A’s Assistant General Manager, Pro Scouting and Player Personnel, Dan Feinstein said in the release:

“To say we are excited to add this level of talent to our minor league system would be an understatement. Our International scouts work tirelessly throughout the year, and it’s great to see those efforts rewarded.”

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Armenteros, 17, played in the 15U (15 and under) World Cup in 2014, posting a .462/.611/.962 slash with 10 walks and eight strikeouts in 36 trips to the plate. He was named to the All-Tournament team after leading the Cuban team to a gold medal, beating USA in the final game.

As a member of Cuba’s 15U National team, the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder outfielder slashed .416/.529/.733 in 139 plate appearances. Along with a league-leading six home runs, Armenteros was 12-for-14 in stolen base attempts.

With what Baseball America call a “promising combination of above-average raw power and speed,” and the ability to play all three outfield positions effectively compares favorably to a young former A’s standout Yoenis Cespedes,

Joining the young slugging outfielder will be four 16-year-old products of the Dominican Republic:

• Shortstop Marcos Brito, brother of Colorado Rockies minor leaguer Anthony Brito, who was ranked the No. 13 international prospect by Baseball America;
• shortstop Yerdel Vargas, No. 24 on Baseball America’s rankings;
• center fielder Kevin Richards, No. 39; and
• third baseman George Bell, the son of 1987 American League MVP George Bell. 

Once their contracts are approved by Major League Baseball, and they each pass a physical, the quintet will report to the A’s complex in the Dominican Republic.

Kalama Hines is SFBay’s Oakland Athletics beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @HineSight_2020 on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of A’s baseball.