The track record, lately, of the Cincinnati Reds developing international prospects into star-caliber big leaguers is not good. Aside from adding established stars out of the top league in Cuba, the Reds have struggled to see their invested dollars overseas turn into WAR at the big league level - and not all of those signings have panned out, either.
The hope around these parts is that Ricardo Cabrera, signed out of Venezuela with impressive gap to gap hitting ability and a glove that sticks at shortstop, will begin to change those impressions. There’s a ton of talent there, and he’s still incredibly young, and the 19 year old will finally get his opportunity to show what he’s got in full-season ball in the states in 2023.