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Cardinals sign No. 9 Cuban prospect Randy Arozarena

By Ted Fleming

Jul 19, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Fans watch as a thunder storm moves through the area before the start of a game between the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The game was postponed due to weather and will be played on July 20 as part of a day night doubleheader. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 19, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Fans watch as a thunder storm moves through the area before the start of a game between the San Diego Padres and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The game was postponed due to weather and will be played on July 20 as part of a day night doubleheader. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Randy Arozarena is subject to the international bonus pools which St. Louis has already surpassed for the 2016-17 signing period that began on July 2.

The St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to sign shortstop/outfielder Randy Arozarena, one of the top young Cuban players, according to Baseball America.  The 21-year old was ranked as BA’s ninth-best Cuban prospect in its April 2015 rankings.

Arozarena, who was declared a free agent by the commissioner’s office last January, was free to sign with any team beginning Feb. 10. His deal is for $1.25 million.

Arozarena has bat speed and good contact skills to go along with excellent plate discipline and pitch recognition. A line-drive type hitter, he doesn’t project to hit with power although he could be a top of the order type if he continues to develop.

If there is a question about his game, he has bounced around from shortstop to the outfield so it could be hard to judge him defensively until he gets steady play at one position. This year he had played in five games for the Tijuana Toros of the Mexican League where he had just two hits in 20 at-bats. However, he had .291/.412/.419 splits in his final season with Vegueros de Pinar del Rio in the Cuba National Series.

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Arozarena also possesses the kind of speed that opened eyes ranking second in the league in stolen bases with 15 to go along with 12 doubles and four triples in 74 games.

For the moment, the Cardinals have not said what level he will start at, but it is believed his first club will be the Palm Beach Cardinals (High-A) in the Florida State League.

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