Report: White Sox in mix on top international prospect Luis Robert
To date, the Chicago White Sox's rebuilding project has drawn positive reviews on two fronts.
First, the Sox fared very well in the amateur draft last June, landing catcher Zack Collins with the No. 10 overall pick and closer Zack Burdi at No. 26.
Add in second rounder Alec Hansen, a 6-foot-7 starting pitcher, and outfielders Alex Call and Jameson Fisher on the third and fourth rounds, and the White Sox landed five young players that could provide needed help in the near future.
Second, the White Sox in December added more promising talent, highlighted by second baseman Yoan Moncada and starters Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Michael Kopech, in trades for Chris Sale and Adam Eaton.
Are the Sox preparing to strike on a third front with an international signing?
According to Baseball America, the White Sox are in a good position to sign outfielder Luis Robert, a 19-year-old outfielder from Cuba, before the international signing period closes on June 15.
"The team that comes up the most in discussions of where Robert might land ... is the White Sox," Baseball America's Ben Badler reported. "They have been laying low for the high-priced talent in the 2017-18 signing period. If Robert is not cleared until after June 15, the White Sox would have more room than most in their bonus pool to sign him. Even if Robert is cleared during the current signing period, the White Sox might just blow through their bonus pool to sign him anyway."
The Sox are in dire need of outfield help, and the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Robert is rated the second best international prospect behind Japan's Shohei Otani, who was both a star outfielder and pitcher for the Nippon Ham Fighters last season.
Before leaving Cuba for the Dominican Republic in November, Robert had a .401/.526/.687 hitting line with 12 home runs in 232 appearances. His on-base and slugging percentages were both leading Serie Nacional, Cuba's premier league.
Moncada and White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu also played in Serie Nacional, and Robert is reportedly close friends with Sox relief pitcher Michael Ynoa.