The Pittsburgh Pirates are reporting that they have signed 16-year-old Mexican pitcher Luis Heredia.
Heredia is a very highly regarded prospect in this year’s international free agent market. The Pirates will pay a 2.6 Million signing bonus, the largest payout in franchise history.
Veracruz, the team owning Heredia’s players rights in Mexico will keep 75% of the bonus.
At 6 ft 6, 185 pounds, Heredia is considered by many scouts to be the best young Mexican baseball player seen in years. Jesus “Chino” Valdez, the Pirates, Mexican scouting supervisor has known Heredia since he was five years old, spending ¾ of his time with him over the last year.
“Thank God they came into my life,” Heredia said last Thursday through a translator. “They’re good men, honest men.”
In other Major League Baseball news, The Royals have signed Venezuelan shortstop Humberto Artega for 1.1 Million.
