The MLB free agent market has a potential new star in Cuba’s Lazaro “Lazarito” Armenteros.
Source: Cuban phenom Lazarito Armenteros cleared by MLB, eligible to sign starting Feb. 10. Corner OF/IF, 16 years old.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 11, 2016
Rosenthal’s report was later confirmed by MLB’s Jesse Sanchez.
In a report from September, Sanchez detailed all of Armenteros’ measurable traits, which any Major League team would be lucky to have.
“He’s 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, and probably best suited for a corner outfield spot, but he can also play first base and third base. His muscular body is the product of classic exercises from yesteryear: pushups, pullups and chest-dips using two chairs. He is said to run a 60-yard dash in under 6.5 seconds.”
While scouts are often overly optimistic, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that Lazarito had drawn comparisons to “Willie Mays and Bo Jackson, due to his combination of speed and power.”
It’s been a while, nearly two years, since Armentero — or Lazarito — was seen on an international stage. On that stage, though, he helped Cuba win the 15U World Baseball Cup, batting .462 with three doubles and five triples over nine games.