Two-way star Oscar Colás, one of the best baseball players to come out of Cuba in recent years, has reportedly defected and is seeking a contract with an MLB team, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The 21-year-old, an outfielder and pitcher, played this past season in Japan and excelled at the plate. He posted a .302/.350/.516 slash line with 19 doubles and 11 home runs across 66 games. Colás, a left-handed hitter and pitcher, also boasts a fastball that hits 95 mph.
According to Passan, Colás could wait to sign with an MLB team until July or sign in the next few months. However, waiting until July would allow him to take advantage of a much richer market when more teams are free to spend a new pool of international bonus money after it resets for the new signing period.
Some scouts reportedly believe Colás’ arm is strong enough for him to remain a two-way player in the majors. Given his blend of arm strength, power and an excellent bat, he’ll certainly attract teams that are looking for baseball’s next two-way sensation.