Top Cuban prospect Eddy Julio Martinez is now a client of Rick Thurman and Rafael Nieves of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Martinez, regarded by some as the top free agent on this year’s international market, has flown under the radar of late after generating quite a bit of buzz late in the spring and early this summer. It’s been written on multiple occasions that the 20-year-old center fielder is expected to command a bonus in excess of $10MM. That, of course, means that a signing team would be penalized with a 100 percent luxury tax for every dollar spent over its league-allotted international bonus pool. His signing team would also be unable to sign an international free agent for more than $300K in either of the next two signing periods, although changes to the CBA following the 2016 season could impact those rules.
As MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez reported last night, the Reds have joined the Martinez market and will host a private workout for him later this week. The Dodgers, Giants, Cubs, Astros and Rangers have all been linked to Martinez at various times as well. As Sanchez noted in his free scouting report, Martinez has a compact and powerful stroke plus the ability to hit home runs to all fields. His speed gives him base-stealing upside, and he should be able to remain in center field thanks to good range in the gaps and an accurate throwing arm. Heyman spoke to several scouts today, with one praising Martinez’s considerable pop and multiple calling him a solid prospect. An eight-figure deal is still the expectation for Martinez, Heyman hears.
Nats still in it?
I could see the Rangers being interested. They need RH hitting OF’s with some pop.