Dodgers Sign Cuban Pitcher Osvani Gutierrez

Image credit: Osvani Gutierrez

After pitching in Major League Baseball’s first Trainer Partnership Program showcase on Sept. 18 in the Dominican Republic, Cuban righthander Osvani Gutierrez has signed with the Dodgers for $600,000.

Gutierrez, 17, is 6-foot-1, 170 pounds with a fastball that has been up to 93 mph. He’s a solid strike-thrower for his age despite some effort in his delivery and shows feel for his secondary pitches, with his changeup more advanced than his curveball right now. Pitching in Cuba’s 15U national league in 2016, Gutierrez posted a 2.16 ERA in 75 innings with 60 strikeouts and 29 walks, ranking second in the league in innings behind Astros righthander Franny Cobos.

MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program showcase featured 2019 position prospects as well as a mix of pitchers from the 2019 class and pitchers currently eligible to sign.

The Dodgers’ 2018-19 international signing class also includes catcher Diego Cartaya, the top 2018 prospect from Venezuela and No. 3 player in the class, as well as Dominican righthander Jerming Rosario, the No. 23 prospect in the class.