The 6′ 0″ 195 lb. infielder has become the latest in a long line of potential MLB-ready stars to defect from Cuba in search of a big league contract. In recent memory, there have been several players that have defected from Cuba, making a giant splash in the MLB free agency market.
Just to name a few: Yasiel Puig, Yoenis Cespedes, Aroldis Chapman, Jose Fernandez and Jose Abreu are all making significant differences for their respective clubs. Yulieski Gourriel could be next, and it is time to wonder when, or if, the Astros should begin to pursue these highly touted prospects when they become available.