Royals Sign Cuban Outfielder Roman Hernandez Jorrin

While everyone waits for the end of the Yeonis Cespedes sweepstakes, the Royals signed Cuban outfielder Roman Hernandez Jorrin today according to Jorge Ebro on Twitter and El Nuevo Herald.

According to Royals prospect guru Greg Schaum at Pine Tar Press, his source tells him that Hernandez has good power and speed and his arm is “no joke”. He adds that the Cuban defector will be more suited to a corner outfield spot but has some upside and has “played well against older competition”. The estimated amount of the signing bonus is $750,000 and could be higher than that.

El Nuevo Herald had an article last month about his journey as a Cuban playing in the Dominican Republic, adjusting to life outside of his home and leaving his son in Cuba, and his tryouts with major league teams. His agent, of course, says he’s a five-tool player.

Update 2/4/12: Baseball America is reporting the bonus as $550,000 (which I’ve heard from another source as well) and that Hernandez is 24 years old. Original reports noted his age at 22 years old.

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