Credit Cliff Welch/MiLB.com
The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to terms with Kevin Maitan according to Buster Olney of ESPN. Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com adds that the deal is worth $2.2 million and is pending a physical.
Maitan was considered the Atlanta Braves’ top international prospect until he was stripped from the team along with other prospects by MLB two weeks ago after the team violated international signing rules. The Braves spent $4.25 million of their 2016 international bonus pool money to land the Venezuelan infielder.
All 29 other teams were allowed to use their 2017-2018 bonus money or 2018-2019 bonus money to sign Maitan approximately two weeks after he was declared a free agent. The Angels have since swooped in and because of that rule, they won’t be limited from pursing Shohei Ohtani.
The 17-year-old struggled in his first minor league season. In 42 games split between the Gulf Coast League and Appalachian League he hit .241/.290/.340/.629 with 15 runs, two home runs, 15 RBI, and two stolen bases in 162 at-bats.
Maitan joins pitcher Yefri del Rosario who also agreed to a deal with a new team earlier today. Del Rosario, 18, will get $650,000 from the Kansas City Royals after signing a $1 million deal with the Braves back in 2016.
