Francys Romero reported on Sunday evening that the Pittsburgh Pirates will sign Cuban right-handed pitcher Carlos Espinosa once the next international signing period opens up in January of 2022. I was able to confirm with a source that the Pirates are indeed the favorite to sign Espinosa, who will still need to go through his physical and standard drug testing for international amateur players before his deal can be completed in January.
Sources: Cuban RHP Carlos Espinosa (19) will sign with the Pittsburgh Pirates when the next international signing period opens in January 2022. Great fastball over 95 mph. Espinosa left Cuba in March 2020 and is trained by Héctor Berrios, same trainer as Vladimir Gutiérrez. pic.twitter.com/mQjitQv1nz
— Francys Romero (@francysromero10) May 30, 2021
Romero included video of the 19-year-old Espinosa in this tweet below. He notes above that Espinosa hits over 95 MPH and I was also able to confirm that velocity.
Fuentes: Cuban RHP Carlos Espinosa (19) firmará con los Piratas de Pittsburgh cuando inicie el próximo periodo de firmas internacionales en Enero de 2022. Recta de 95 mph. Salió de Cuba en marzo de 2020 y es entrenado por Héctor Berrios, mismo entrenador de Vladimir Gutierrez. pic.twitter.com/hST0dd7qAu
— Francys Romero (@francysromero10) May 30, 2021
The Pirates are also the favorites to sign a young lefty pitcher from Mexico named Angel Camacho, who was heavily scouted recently. He is also a 2022 signing, though he was eligible to sign during this current signing period. The current bonus pool restrictions prevent the Pirates from signing Camacho before the next signing period begins.
