Currently residing in the Dominican Republic, a 21-year-old Cuban refugee, shortstop Yolbert Sanchez is the latest international sensation sending some MLB teams to their bank vaults. That is if they’ve hoarded enough international pool money; Sanchez is said to warrant a seven-figure signing bonus.

Reportedly, the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers have both shown interest in the right-handed batter, which could set up a Lone Star State showdown for his talents.

Defense Overshadows Offense?

According to CiberCuba.com in June, and allowing for a curious translation: “Sanchez is undoubtedly the stone and the talisman. [He] has been on the lists of [the] best Cuban prospects for more than three years by the specialized magazine Baseball America.”

Sanchez is on several teams’ radar, as he is seen as a multi-tool player at shortstop. Scouts marvel at his precise play in the field, as well as his plus speed and arm, and baserunning. Top these qualities off with a high contact rate and projections indicate Sanchez would be a solid international investment, although some scouts wrangle as to his actual offensive prowess, power in particular.

Sanchez became signing-eligible in early February, with a handful of teams already sending top brass to get a closer look.

Turning 22 in March, most GMs regard Sanchez as the closest international prospect to the major leagues, an attractive feather in the player’s cap that may help top brass overlook any perceived offensive shortcomings.

Houston vs Arlington

MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez recently detailed the Texas teams’ current international position: “It’s worth noting that Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow both scouted Sanchez in person in the Dominican Republic recently.

“The Rangers have approximately $850,000 to spend during the current international signing period and can still trade for more money to up their total money available to $4 million.

“The Astros, who cannot sign an international prospect for more than $300,000 until the next period, could be players in the Sanchez market along with the [New York] Mets and [Chicago] White Sox if the infielder decides to wait.”

Yolbert Sanchez could technically decide to wait until the next signing period begins (July 2) to sign. Bonus pools will reset then, and waiting would likely swell his list of potential suitors.

Other Teams in the Mix

According to MLB Trade Rumors, “At present, the [Baltimore] Orioles and their near-$6 million signing pool are the runaway leaders in terms of pool money available. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ $1.4 million remaining pool is the next largest, though teams are still allowed to trade international funds between now and the close of the current signing period on June 15.”

Jesse Sanchez on the other teams in play: “Should the Orioles decide to trade away their bonus money, the Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Arizona D-backs, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Indians, KC Royals, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco Giants could be possible partners, and thus be in a position to offer the Cuban infielder at least $3.5 million (clubs are allowed to acquire up to 75 percent of their initial international bonus pool.)”

Sanchez played in 128 games in parts of three seasons (the last two for the Havana Industriales) in the Cuban National Series before defecting in early summer 2018.

Sanchez hit a combined .297/.338/.345 in 435 plate appearances walking 21 times while striking out just 38 times for an 8.7% clip. Eight doubles and four triples dwarfed a single home run in that time, but that lone homer came when he was just 19, and gaining strength as he matures seems likely, if not inevitable.

The Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) had Sanchez pegged for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

Related: Fellow Cuban National Yuli Gurriel Signs With Astros in 2016