Yankees Rumors: Yankees Interested In Cuban Pitcher

The Yankees continue to search the international market for talent. The Yankees signed 15 of Baseball America’s top 30 international prospects. We all know about their interest in infielder Yoan Moncada, who once cleared by OFAC, can sign. Now there’s another Yoan from Cuba the Yankees are interested in.  

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21 year old pitcher Yoan Lopez is a free agent. He, like Moncada, would have to be cleared not only by MLB, but OFAC. If he gets cleared before June 15, he won’t count towards next year when the Yankees can’t sign anyone for more than $300,000.

Here’s a scouting report on Lopez per MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez:

"As for Lopez, he throws a cut-fastball, a change, a curve and a slider, but is best known for a fastball that hovers in the 93-to-95 MPH range. His fastball has been clocked at 100 MPH three times since he began working out for teams. Back in Cuba, Lopez played three seasons for Isla de la Juventud in Cuba’s Serie Nacional, the island’s top league. He sported a 3.12 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks in 49 innings in his final season before defecting from Cuba."

The Yankees went pitching heavy in the draft and hitting heavy in the international market. Keep an eye on Lopez as free agency continues.