A’s sign top international pitching prospect

The Oakland A’s have signed 22-year-old right-handed pitcher Norge Ruiz, a Cuban international free agent, to a minor league contract.

The A’s are in need of some starting pitching, and the signing of Ruiz is a huge coup for the green and gold.

Ruiz is rated as the third best international prospect by MLB.com. According to an A’s media release, he pitched for three seasons in Cuba’s Serie Nacional and was 24-17 with a 2.55 ERA, with 55 starts in 60 games.

Ruiz made his debut at 18-years-old in 2012, and ranked sixth in his league with a 1.97 ERA that season.

He’s a pitcher with great command, and his fastball can reach 94 miles per hour.