Yankees To Sign Top International Prospects Raimfer Salinas, Antonio Cabello

Venezuelan outfielder Raimfer Salinas and Venezuelan catcher Antonio Cabello, two of the top 2017 international prospects, have deals to sign with the Yankees.

Salinas, 16, was the No. 10 international prospect for July 2 in the 2017 class, while Cabello, 17, ranked No. 15 on Baseball America’s rankings of the top 50 international prospects for 2017. Both players trained with Francisco Ortiz.

That gives the Yankees five of BA’s top 20 international prospects from the 2017 class, including Venezuelan outfielder Everson Pereira (the No. 5 prospect on BA’s top 50), Dominican shortstop Ronny Rojas (the No. 11 prospect) and Venezuelan shortstop Roberto Chirinos (the No. 20 prospect). Dominican outfielder Anthony Garcia, the No. 28 international prospect for 2017, also signed with the Yankees this summer. The addition of Salinas and Cabello also further bolsters one of the game’s strongest farm systems, one that’s already rich in homegrown Latin American prospects.

Baseball America subscribers can click here to read full scouting reports on both Salinas and Cabello. At 6 feet, 170 pounds, Salinas is an athletic, righthanded-hitting center fielder with promising speed and arm strength. While he has shown some swing-and-miss tendencies, he has represented Venezuela at international tournaments and generally performed well in games, including this winter in Venezuela. Cabello, who is 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, is physically mature for his age, relying on advanced strength and surprising athleticism for his size. Cabello has a good track record as well in games, including this winter in Venezuela, showing a patient hitting approach from the right side.