Minnesota Twins sign Cuban RHP Yennier Cano

The Minnesota Twins signed the 25-year old who has some intriguing numbers, but it’s unlikely he’ll help the Twins bullpen crisis in 2019.

The Minnesota Twins added some depth to their organization on Friday as they signed Cuban relief pitcher Yennier Cano. According to Francys Romero of Las Mayores, Cano will receive a $750K signing bonus from the Twins and Dan Hayes of The Athletic added that part of that money is money acquired in the Zack Granite trade that was set to expire.

Cano is an intriguing bullpen prospect thanks to a fastball that sits in the 94-96 MPH range and has put up solid numbers while pitching for Ciego de Avilia in Cuba’s Serie National. He was also part of the Cuban national team that played against the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016.

MLB.com ranked Cano second on their list of 2018 list of international prospects behind Victor Victor Mesa, who received a $5 million signing bonus from the Miami Marlins in October of 2018.

While the 25-year old has some promising traits, Hayes believes that the Twins are looking at Cano as a long-term prospect who needs some seasoning in the organization before helping the major league club. Cano also posted a low K/9 rate during his time in Cuba, so any expectation he could be the Twins’ current bullpen savior would seem far fetched.

Regardless, strength in numbers is always a good thing and if the Twins can find a way to utilize Cano’s fastball as well as a splitter and changeup, he might be able to be a piece in the Minnesota bullpen come 2020.