Toronto Blue Jays sign Cuban right-hander

Just days after signing pitcher Dylan Cease to the largest free agent contract in franchise history, as well KBO Star Cody Ponce, the Blue Jays have once again gone international with their latest.

MLB Insider Francys Romero reported that the Blue Jays have signed 18 year old RHP Alieksi Torres for a $200 000 signing bonus.

Torres, who is originally from Cuba, defected from the island nation in 2024 and had been training at the Chiqui Metas academy in the Dominican Republic.

His $200K signing bonus is the second-highest given to a pitcher. He is also the 46th player signed by the Blue Jays in the current international signing period, which ends in just over under weeks.

Although he is just 18, Torres' fastball already sits between 90-94mph and it is reported that he is working on developing his slider and changeup as well.

While he is likely still a few years away from the major leagues, the $200K signing bonus signals that the Blue Jays think incredibly highly of Torres and that he has the potential to develop at a rate much quicker than other prospects, many of whom were signed for 10K.

The most recent international signing period has seen over 1000 players from 23 different countries signed, including from places such as Haiti, South Sudan, and Uganda, as well the usual suspects like Colombia, Mexico, and Venezuela, as well as Asian staples like Japan and Korea.

The current signing period ends on Dec 13th.