Report: Diamondbacks sign young pitcher from Cuba
Jan 13, 2015, 3:18 PM | Updated: 4:28 pm
The Arizona Diamondbacks have added another arm to the organization.
Yoan Lopez, 21, has agreed to a deal with the D-backs, according to MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez.
Source: #Dbacks & RHP Yoan Lopez agree to record-setting $8.25 MM deal. Lopez left money on the table to sign with Arizona.
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) January 13, 2015
The deal includes a signing bonus of more than $8 million, a record for an international amateur.
Lopez is 6-foot-4 and just under 200 pounds. The hard-throwing right-hander’s fastball reaches the mid-90s.
Reportedly multiple other teams had interest in Lopez, but according to Sanchez, Lopez believes he can get to the major leagues faster with Arizona. Chief baseball officer Tony La Russa and general manager Dave Stewart played a big role in landing Lopez.
The team currently has pitchers Patrick Corbin and Bronson Arroyo in rehabilitation from elbow surgery last summer.
The Diamondbacks signed Cuban outfielder Yasmany Tomas earlier this offseason.
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