Both Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com and Ben Badler of Baseball America expect that international free agent outfielder Yoelqui Céspedes will sign with the White Sox for around $2 million.
Yoelqui, the younger half-brother of former Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, is one of the top international free agents for the upcoming period that begins on Jan. 15, 2021.
The Cuban born outfielder defected last June and has been training mostly in the Bahamas since, including with Yoenis.
Here’s a look at Yoelkis Cespedes’ swing. #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/Gmkk6yZnaC
— Connections Sports Media Podcast (@connections_pod) December 22, 2020
The 5-foot-9 Yoelqui last played around 185 pounds, but under the tutelage and advice of his brother, he’s now up to 205 pounds and has shown more power potential. Yoelqui has been a plus runner with a strong arm that has played all three outfield positions.
As a 19-year-old, he played for Cuba in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, going 4-for-16. Earlier in 2017, he had a strong showing during the Caribbean Series when he hit .313 and played well defensively in right field. He started playing professionally in 2015 at 17 years old for the Cuban National team.
