Blue Jays sign Cuban free agent infield prospect Lourdes Gurriel

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Cuban free-agent prospect Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to a multi-year deal.

The team announced the seven-year $22 million contract on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Gurriel spent parts of six seasons playing for Serie Nacional in Cuba’s top league. The right-handed hitter posted a .344 average with 17 doubles and 10 home runs in 59 games as a 21-year-old in his final season in 2015.

Gurriel showcased primarily as a shortstop and centre-fielder during his recent workouts in September. He was declared a free agent by MLB in August.

Gurriel, the younger brother of Astros infielder Yulieski Gurriel, has a career .277 batting average over 1,098 career plate appearances in the Serie Nacional.

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