Cuban hurler Ronald Bolanos, a 19-year-old righty, has left the island nation and has his sights set on joining a MLB organization, Baseball America’s Ben Badler reports. Bolanos has also spent time in the outfield, but looks like a better prospect on the hill.
According to Badler, Bolanos fell just outside the top-twenty Cuban prospect list that he just compiled. He works in the 88 to 93 mph range with his fastball, and has a promising slider as well. The youngster lacks polish and has mostly worked in a relief capacity, but remains a fairly interesting arm.
As Badler explains, Bolanos is young and inexperienced enough that he’ll ultimately be subject to international signing bonus limits. He’s a ways away from the market: in addition to all the regular barriers he’ll have to clear, Bolanos will not be eligible to register until the signing period that begins on July 2, 2016.