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Sanchez: Rangers sign Morrobel, Cuevas

Jesse Sanchez says that the Rangers have signed Yeison Morrobel and Danyer Cuevas, two of their top J-2 targets

By Adam J. Morris
MLB Opening Day Postponed Due To Coronavirus Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Per Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, the Texas Rangers have agreed to terms with international free agents Danyer Cuevas, a shortstop from Venezuela, and Yeison Morrobel, an outfielder from the Dominican Republic.

Cuevas and Morrobel are two of the top free agents in the 2020-21 J-2 class who were reported to be expected to be signed by the Texas Rangers. Due to the pandemic, the beginning of the international signing period for 2020-21, which is normally July 2 of each year, was moved from July 2, 2020, to January 15, 2021. Thus, today is the first day for teams to sign players in the current J-2 class.

Morrobel got a $1.8 million signing bonus, and is the #18 player in the Baseball America international rankings. Morrobel is a lefthanded hitter who turned 17 last month, and who gets good reviews for his bat speed and gap power. He’s listed at 6’1”, 170 lbs., and while he is a center fielder as of today, he may end up moving to a corner as he gets older and fills out.

There is no signing bonus reported for Cuevas, which is the norm for Venezuelan signees — because of the risks of kidnapping of family members in Venezuela, signing bonuses are not generally reported for Venezuelan signees. Cuevas turns 17 in late May, and he is considered one of the top shortstops in this class, ranking #41 on the overall BA board.

Yeferson Tineo, a shortstop from the Dominican Republic, is also being reported as having been signed by the Rangers.

There will be additional signings coming in later today and in the coming days, and we will update as that comes in.

UPDATE — The Rangers signed the following sixteen players today, as well:

From the Dominican Republic:

Frandy Almonte, SS

Andy Beato, C

Leandro Calderon, RHP

Jose Felix, RHP

Gleider Figuereo, SS

Ivan Oviedo, RHP

From Venezuela:

Ismael Agreda, RHP

Edgar Basabe, CF

Isaac Castellanos, LHP

Kliber Geraldo, SS

Keiderson Pavon, SS

Hector Pinero, SS

Julio Pinto, SS

From elsewhere:

Gedionne Marlin, SS, Curacao

Eward Rodriguez, RHP, Panama

Elian Lozano, C Colombia