Chicago Cubs to sign the next Alex Rodriguez?
The Chicago Cubs are rumored to be the front-runners to sign the next A-Rod.
The Chicago Cubs farm system appears well-stocked at the shortstop position. Currently, according to MLB.com, five of the team’s top 30 prospects are shortstops. This list includes Rafael Morel, Kevin Wade, Zack Short, Pedro Martinez, and top-ranked prospect, Nico Hoerner.
This doesn’t even take into account the superstar who currently occupies the position, and whom the Cubs hope to sign to a long-term deal, Javier Baez. Nor does it include their first pick (No. 16 overall) in this year’s MLB Draft, Chicago native, Ed Howard, who was not only coveted by the Chicago White Sox but is unanimously considered the best shortstop in the draft.
While this may seem like a surplus at the position, the reality is that signing or drafting prospects can be a lot like buying a lottery ticket. Most will never reach the majors, and those that do may get moved to other positions.
As a result, it is always imperative to continue to stock up on talent, particularly at a position like shortstop. If a player has enough athleticism and skills to play that position, they can play just about anywhere on the diamond. And this is precisely what the Cubs seem to be doing with the latest target with whom they have been rumored.
According to a recent report from Baseball America, the team is the frontrunner to land one of the top international prospects (currently ranked fifth by MLB.com) available this year. His name is Cristian Hernandez and the 16-year old shortstop from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic is already being compared to Alex Rodriguez and Manny Machado, whom the Cubs missed out on in free agency prior to the start of last season.
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He’s already 6-foot-2 and weighs 175 pounds (with the frame to put on more weight and muscle), and is considered a five-tool player. He is projected as a player who can hit .300+ and with power. That is an incredibly enticing prospect, and Cubs fans should be pretty excited if and when they land Hernandez when they’re eligible to sign international prospects on January 15, 2021.