Cuba’s Roberto Baldoquin gets $8 Million to Join the L.A. Angels

Ray Otero  (baseballdecuba.com) 

HAVANA TIMES — Roberto Sullivan Baldoquin, a 20-year-old infielder who played for Cuba’s Las Tunas team for three seasons, has been rewarded for his efforts after leaving the country of his birth, signing an 8-million-dollar contract with the Los Angeles Angels this Tuesday.

According to statements made by the player from the Dominican Republic, he must still undergo a routine physical examination to finalize the contract.

Baldoquin played three seasons for Las Tunas in the Cuban Baseball League, ending with a batting average of .254 (48-for-189), an OBP of .340 and a slugging percentage of .323. The player showed improvement since his debut during the 2011-2012 season, when he had a batting average of only .179. His batting average went up to .248 and .279 over the next two seasons.

Baldoquin played several infield positions for Las Tunas including second base, shortstop and third base as well as left field, ending with a .935 fielding percentage.

The Los Angeles Angels apparently became interested in the young Cuban prospect when taking into account that three of their key infielders, second-baseman Howard Kendrick, third-baseman David Feese and shortstop Erick Aybar, are eligible to become free agents after the 2015 season.

Baldoquin becomes the third Cuban player signed by the Angels as a free agent since 2005, when they secured Kendry Morales (now with Seattle). Last year, they signed relief pitcher Yoslan Herrera, who fared considerably well, despite having played in only 20 games (1-1, with a 2.70 ERA).