Last week, the latest player to come to the Major Leagues from Cuba, Dian Toscano, signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves. It is now being reported by Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com that the contract is worth $6 million over the four year span of the contract, along with a fifth year $1.5 million dollar team option.
Toscano was a more enticing player to sign than other Cuban defects due to the fact he is 25 years of age and played five seasons in the Cuban National Series, which means he will not count against the International Bonus Pool.
Toscano is not known for his power, but has shown good discipline at the plate, and scouts described him as being a “low-upside player”. In the 2011-2012 Cuban league season, the Villa Clara native hit .287 with 35 walks and 16 strikeouts. In over 682 plate appearances in Cuba, Toscano has an on-base percentage of .417.
The Braves see him as a corner infielder, as opposed to an outfielder, as many scouts thought of him as. The 5’10”, 200 pound lefty could be compared to a player such as Emilio Bonifacio without as much speed. Expect to see Toscano soon, as he signed a Major League contract with Atlanta.
looks like cj to the giants