Cubans in the System

[Nate Colbert]

A quick recap of the 15 Cubans other than Yuli signed by the Astros, 12 of whom are still in the system (1 at Fresno, 6 at CC, 1 at BC, 2 in the GCL, 2 in the DSL):

RHP Rogelio Armenteros (bonus not disclosed)--24 year old with 127 Ks and 40 BBs in 115 AAA innings
RHP Michel Martinez (bonus not dislosed)--released
RHP Yoanys Quiala ($794K bonus)--24 year old with a sky-high WHIP of 1.50 in 108 IP at CC between 2017 and 2018
OF Alejandro Garcia ($750K bonus)--released
RHP Carlos Sierra (bonus not disclosed)--23 year old currently on DL with 30 Ks vs 13 BBs in 27 combined IP this year between CC and BC.
OF/1B Norberto Castellanos (Astros-$75K bonus)--released
OF/1B Yordan Alvarez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)*--you might have heard of him
INF Anibal Sierra ($1.5MM bonus + equivalent tax)--24 year old with a .263/.309/.329 line in 22 games for CC after starting year at BC
LHP Cionel Perez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)--22 year old at CC is the 6th-ranked prospect in the system
RHP Jesus Balaguer (bonus not disclosed)--24 year old with 33 Ks in 25 IP for BC but also 27 BBs
RHP Elian Rodriguez ($1.9MM bonus + equivalent tax)--21 year old on GCL roster after throwing 25 innings in DSL last year
SS Rolando Espinosa ($175K bonus)--17 year old currently .208/.283/.333 in 14 games in the DSL
C Lorenzo Quintana ($200K bonus)--29 year old hitting .225/.295/.383 for Corpus
LHP Julio Robaina ($220K bonus)--17 year old who skipped DSL and has thrown 3 scoreless frames for GCL club
RHP Franny Cobos ($125K bonus)--17 year old with an 0.47 WHIP in 10.2 IP in the DSL

*paid by Dodgers

[Nate Colbert]

Updating, including for the recent release of Jesus Balaguer:

RHP Rogelio Armenteros (bonus not disclosed)--24 year old with 167 Ks vs 48 BBs in 146 AAA innings
RHP Michel Martinez (bonus not dislosed)--released
RHP Yoanys Quiala ($794K bonus)--24 year old with a sky-high WHIP of 1.50 in 108 AA innings who is currently serving an 80-game PED suspension
OF Alejandro Garcia ($750K bonus)--released
RHP Carlos Sierra (bonus not disclosed)--23 year old currently on DL with 30 Ks vs 13 BBs in 27 combined IP this year between CC and BC.
OF/1B Norberto Castellanos (Astros-$75K bonus)--released
OF/1B Yordan Alvarez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)*--you might have heard of him
INF Anibal Sierra ($1.5MM bonus + equivalent tax)--24 year old with a .228/.295/.294 line in 41 games for CC after starting year at BC
LHP Cionel Perez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)--22 year old currently with the big league club
RHP Jesus Balaguer (bonus not disclosed)--released
RHP Elian Rodriguez ($1.9MM bonus + equivalent tax)--21 year old on GCL roster struggling mightily with control after throwing 25 innings in DSL last year
SS Rolando Espinosa ($175K bonus)--17 year old currently .188/.250/.258 in 38 games in the DSL
C Lorenzo Quintana ($200K bonus)--29 year old hitting .268/.335/.525 for Corpus
LHP Julio Robaina ($220K bonus)--17 year old who skipped DSL and has appeared in 6 games for GCL club
RHP Franny Cobos ($125K bonus)--17 year old with an 0.90 WHIP in 26.2 IP in the DSL
OF Frank Perez (bonus not disclosed)--recent J2 signee

*paid by Dodgers

[Nate Colbert]

End of season recap of the 16 Cubans (other than Yuli) signed by the Astros, 12 of whom are still in the system (1 with the Astros, 2 at Fresno, 4 at CC, 2 in the GCL, 2 in the DSL and 1 unassigned):

RHP Rogelio Armenteros (bonus not disclosed)--rule 5 eligible 24 year old with 206 Ks vs 67 BBs in 176 AAA innings
RHP Michel Martinez (bonus not dislosed)--released
RHP Yoanys Quiala ($794K bonus)--24 year old with a sky-high WHIP of 1.51 in 108 AA innings who has approximately 13 games remaining in an 80-game PED suspension
OF Alejandro Garcia ($750K bonus)--released
RHP Carlos Sierra (bonus not disclosed)--23 year old who missed a month due to injury who posted 40 Ks vs 21 BBs in 43 combined IP this year between CC and BC.
OF/1B Norberto Castellanos (Astros-$75K bonus)--released
OF/1B Yordan Alvarez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)*--Top 100 prospect who missed a month with a right wrist injury, hitting .259/.349/.452 for Fresno after going .325/.389/.615 earlier in the year for Corpus
INF Anibal Sierra ($1.5MM bonus + equivalent tax)--24 year old who has a career .219/.302/.330 line after 3 years in the minors
LHP Cionel Perez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)--22 year old who made his major league debut on July 11
RHP Jesus Balaguer (bonus not disclosed)--released
RHP Elian Rodriguez ($1.9MM bonus + equivalent tax)--21 year old who hasn't been able to find the plate in his first 2 pro seasons with 56 BBs, 16 HBPs and 24 WPs in 48 innings split between GCL and the DSL
INF/OF Rolando Espinosa ($175K bonus)--17 year old with a .170/.245/.234 slash line this year in 59 games in the DSL
C Lorenzo Quintana ($200K bonus)--29 year old in his first year of pro ball in the US who hit .254/.316/.484 for Corpus including .289/.345/.586 in the 2nd half
LHP Julio Robaina ($220K bonus)--17 year old who skipped DSL and whiffed 27 in 25 IP this year in the GCL with a 1.56 WHIP.
RHP Franny Cobos ($125K bonus)--17 year old who was pretty slick this year in the DSL with just 29 hits allowed in 45 IP and 39/7 K to BB.
OF Frank Perez (bonus not disclosed)--recent J2 signee as a 16-year old and thus not eligible to play until 2019

*paid by Dodgers

[Nate Colbert]

Updating based on on an article I just saw from Cuban baseball reporter Francys Romero who noted the bonus for Rogelio Armenteros from back in 2014 https://www.cibercuba.com/noticias/2018-10-23-u194102-e194102-s27068-pelotero-quien-hace-al-bono-no-bono-al-pelotero...

RHP Rogelio Armenteros ($40K bonus)--rule 5 eligible 24 year old with 206 Ks vs 67 BBs in 176 AAA innings
RHP Michel Martinez (bonus not dislosed)--released
RHP Yoanys Quiala ($794K bonus)--24 year old with a sky-high WHIP of 1.51 in 108 AA innings who has approximately 13 games remaining in an 80-game PED suspension
OF Alejandro Garcia ($750K bonus)--released
RHP Carlos Sierra (bonus not disclosed)--23 year old who missed a month due to injury who posted 40 Ks vs 21 BBs in 43 combined IP this year between CC and BC.
OF/1B Norberto Castellanos (Astros-$75K bonus)--released
OF/1B Yordan Alvarez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)*--Top 100 prospect who missed a month with a right wrist injury, hitting .259/.349/.452 for Fresno after going .325/.389/.615 earlier in the year for Corpus
INF Anibal Sierra ($1.5MM bonus + equivalent tax)--24 year old who has a career .219/.302/.330 line after 3 years in the minors
LHP Cionel Perez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)--22 year old who made his major league debut on July 11
RHP Jesus Balaguer (bonus not disclosed)--released
RHP Elian Rodriguez ($1.9MM bonus + equivalent tax)--21 year old who hasn't been able to find the plate in his first 2 pro seasons with 56 BBs, 16 HBPs and 24 WPs in 48 innings split between GCL and the DSL
INF/OF Rolando Espinosa ($175K bonus)--17 year old with a .170/.245/.234 slash line this year in 59 games in the DSL
C Lorenzo Quintana ($200K bonus)--29 year old in his first year of pro ball in the US who hit .254/.316/.484 for Corpus including .289/.345/.586 in the 2nd half
LHP Julio Robaina ($220K bonus)--17 year old who skipped DSL and whiffed 27 in 25 IP this year in the GCL with a 1.56 WHIP.
RHP Franny Cobos ($125K bonus)--17 year old who was pretty slick this year in the DSL with just 29 hits allowed in 45 IP and 39/7 K to BB.
OF Frank Perez ($275K bonus)--recent J2 signee as a 16-year old and thus not eligible to play until 2019

*paid by Dodgers

[Nate Colbert]

(General news obviously rather than specifically Astros)

From Francys Romero writing for CiberCuba (some slight garbling because it's been translated):

Major League Baseball and the Cuban Baseball Federation and INDER have reached an agreement, a source who preferred to remain anonymous told CiberCuba. The information, which comes from an official close to a Major League organization, clarifies that Cuba and MLB have signed a new agreement for 2019 that will initiate a new era in the history of both countries, after 58 years of contradictions. These will be some of the guidelines of the new agreement:

1. Cuban players who emigrate after 2019 in search of free agency, this will be denied.

2. The Cuban Baseball Federation will present its best talents to the MLB organizations and sign from the Island, obtaining the INDER 25% of the contract's profits.

3. Baseball players who continue the process of free agency and emigrated until 2018 will remain in current market patterns regardless of the new agreement.

This new agreement would put an end to the mass exodus of baseball players that began systematically in 1991 and has reached its extreme limits in the last five years.

[Lefty]

(General news obviously rather than specifically Astros)

From Francys Romero writing for CiberCuba (some slight garbling because it's been translated):

So basically it's a posting system sort of like Japan's?

[jaklewein]

Updating based on on an article I just saw from Cuban baseball reporter Francys Romero who noted the bonus for Rogelio Armenteros from back in 2014 https://www.cibercuba.com/noticias/2018-10-23-u194102-e194102-s27068-pelotero-quien-hace-al-bono-no-bono-al-pelotero...

RHP Rogelio Armenteros ($40K bonus)--rule 5 eligible 24 year old with 206 Ks vs 67 BBs in 176 AAA innings
RHP Michel Martinez (bonus not dislosed)--released
RHP Yoanys Quiala ($794K bonus)--24 year old with a sky-high WHIP of 1.51 in 108 AA innings who has approximately 13 games remaining in an 80-game PED suspension
OF Alejandro Garcia ($750K bonus)--released
RHP Carlos Sierra (bonus not disclosed)--23 year old who missed a month due to injury who posted 40 Ks vs 21 BBs in 43 combined IP this year between CC and BC.
OF/1B Norberto Castellanos (Astros-$75K bonus)--released
OF/1B Yordan Alvarez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)*--Top 100 prospect who missed a month with a right wrist injury, hitting .259/.349/.452 for Fresno after going .325/.389/.615 earlier in the year for Corpus
INF Anibal Sierra ($1.5MM bonus + equivalent tax)--24 year old who has a career .219/.302/.330 line after 3 years in the minors
LHP Cionel Perez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)--22 year old who made his major league debut on July 11
RHP Jesus Balaguer (bonus not disclosed)--released
RHP Elian Rodriguez ($1.9MM bonus + equivalent tax)--21 year old who hasn't been able to find the plate in his first 2 pro seasons with 56 BBs, 16 HBPs and 24 WPs in 48 innings split between GCL and the DSL
INF/OF Rolando Espinosa ($175K bonus)--17 year old with a .170/.245/.234 slash line this year in 59 games in the DSL
C Lorenzo Quintana ($200K bonus)--29 year old in his first year of pro ball in the US who hit .254/.316/.484 for Corpus including .289/.345/.586 in the 2nd half
LHP Julio Robaina ($220K bonus)--17 year old who skipped DSL and whiffed 27 in 25 IP this year in the GCL with a 1.56 WHIP.
RHP Franny Cobos ($125K bonus)--17 year old who was pretty slick this year in the DSL with just 29 hits allowed in 45 IP and 39/7 K to BB.
OF Frank Perez ($275K bonus)--recent J2 signee as a 16-year old and thus not eligible to play until 2019

*paid by Dodgers

Thanks as always Nate!  I had forgotten about Quintana.  After reading your post and considering his age and the fact he played at AA last year I wondered if he might be in the team's plans to be a potential shot in the arm to the club towards the end of '19.  Unfortunately I read one article that basically said his defense (especially his arm) is average at best.  Sounds like his bat might have potential, but also sounds like he might have to help the team at DH or another position.

[Nate Colbert]

So basically it's a posting system sort of like Japan's?

Yes.

[Nate Colbert]

Top amateur Sanchez eligible to sign Tuesday

Cuban shortstop Yolbert Sanchez will officially be eligible to sign a contract with a Major League club starting Tuesday, but it's unclear if he will sign with a team during the current international signing period that ends June 15 or wait until the next signing period that starts July 2. It's worth noting that Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow both scouted Sanchez in person in the Dominican Republic recently. The Astros, who cannot sign an international prospect for more than $300,000 until the next period, could be players in the Sanchez market along with the Mets and White Sox if the infielder decides to wait.

[JimR]

Thanks for this, Nate. I hope you continue to update and annotate.

[Nate Colbert]

18 Cuban players signed or acquired, 13 of whom are still in the system...

RHP Rogelio Armenteros ($40K bonus)--24 year old on the 40-man who has 206 Ks vs 67 BBs in 176 AAA innings.
RHP Michel Martinez (bonus not dislosed)--released
RHP Yoanys Quiala ($794K bonus)--released
OF Alejandro Garcia ($750K bonus)--released
RHP Carlos Sierra (bonus not disclosed)--24 year old who missed a month due to injury who posted 40 Ks vs 21 BBs in 43 combined IP in 2018 between CC and BC.
OF/1B Norberto Castellanos (Astros-$75K bonus)--released
1B/3B Yuli Gurriel--signed to MLB contract in July 2016.
OF/1B Yordan Alvarez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)*--Top 100 prospect who missed a month in 2018 with a right wrist injury, hitting .259/.349/.452 for Fresno after going .325/.389/.615 earlier in the year for Corpus
INF Anibal Sierra ($1.5MM bonus + equivalent tax)--25 year old who has a career .219/.302/.330 line after 3 years in the minors.
LHP Cionel Perez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)--the then 22 year old made his major league debut on 7/11/18.
RHP Jesus Balaguer (bonus not disclosed)--released
RHP Elian Rodriguez ($1.9MM bonus + equivalent tax)--22 year old who hasn't been able to find the plate in his first 2 pro seasons with 56 BBs, 16 HBPs and 24 WPs in 48 innings split between GCL and the DSL.
INF/OF Rolando Espinosa ($175K bonus)--18 year old with a .170/.245/.234 slash line in 2018 in 59 games in the DSL.
C Lorenzo Quintana ($200K bonus)--30 year old who in his first year of pro ball in the US hit .254/.316/.484 for Corpus including .289/.345/.586 in the 2nd half.
LHP Julio Robaina ($220K bonus)-- now 18 but as a 17 year old last year he skipped the DSL and whiffed 27 in 25 IP in the GCL with a 1.56 WHIP.
RHP Franny Cobos ($125K bonus)--as a 17 year old was pretty slick last year in the DSL with just 29 hits allowed in 45 IP and 39/7 K to BB.
OF Frank Perez ($275K bonus)--a J2 signee as a 16-year old in 2018 who'll make his professional debut this year (likely in the DSL).
UTIL Aledmys Diaz--acquired in trade from the Blue Jays in exchange for minor leaguer Trent Thornton.

*paid by Dodgers

[Nate Colbert]

Make it 19 Cuban players signed or acquired with 14 of whom still in the system as the Pelota Cubana blog reports (and the MLB transactions page confirms) the signing of a young lefty out of Cienfuegos who brings it at 91-92...

RHP Rogelio Armenteros ($40K bonus)--24 year old on the 40-man who has 206 Ks vs 67 BBs in 176 AAA innings.
RHP Michel Martinez (bonus not dislosed)--released
RHP Yoanys Quiala ($794K bonus)--released
OF Alejandro Garcia ($750K bonus)--released
RHP Carlos Sierra (bonus not disclosed)--24 year old who missed a month due to injury who posted 40 Ks vs 21 BBs in 43 combined IP in 2018 between CC and BC.
OF/1B Norberto Castellanos (Astros-$75K bonus)--released
1B/3B Yuli Gurriel--signed to MLB contract in July 2016.
OF/1B Yordan Alvarez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)*--Top 100 prospect who missed a month in 2018 with a right wrist injury, hitting .259/.349/.452 for Fresno after going .325/.389/.615 earlier in the year for Corpus
INF Anibal Sierra ($1.5MM bonus + equivalent tax)--25 year old who has a career .219/.302/.330 line after 3 years in the minors.
LHP Cionel Perez ($2MM bonus + equivalent tax)--the then 22 year old made his major league debut on 7/11/18.
RHP Jesus Balaguer (bonus not disclosed)--released
RHP Elian Rodriguez ($1.9MM bonus + equivalent tax)--22 year old who hasn't been able to find the plate in his first 2 pro seasons with 56 BBs, 16 HBPs and 24 WPs in 48 innings split between GCL and the DSL.
INF/OF Rolando Espinosa ($175K bonus)--18 year old with a .170/.245/.234 slash line in 2018 in 59 games in the DSL.
C Lorenzo Quintana ($200K bonus)--30 year old who in his first year of pro ball in the US hit .254/.316/.484 for Corpus including .289/.345/.586 in the 2nd half.
LHP Julio Robaina ($220K bonus)-- now 18 but as a 17 year old last year he skipped the DSL and whiffed 27 in 25 IP in the GCL with a 1.56 WHIP.
RHP Franny Cobos ($125K bonus)--as a 17 year old was pretty slick last year in the DSL with just 29 hits allowed in 45 IP and 39/7 K to BB.
OF Frank Perez ($275K bonus)--a J2 signee as a 16-year old in 2018 who'll make his professional debut this year (likely in the DSL).
UTIL Aledmys Diaz--acquired in trade from the Blue Jays in exchange for minor leaguer Trent Thornton.
LHP Jose Yordan Nodal--recently signed 16 year-old.

*paid by Dodgers