According to Francys Romero, the Houston Astros have reached an agreement with international prospect Jack Valbrune, adding another promising young talent to their farm system. The 17-year-old Cuban outfielder, who trains at the Javier Rodriguez Academy, was officially declared a free agent by Major League Baseball yesterday and is expected to sign for a bonus of $375,000.
Romero describes Valbrune as an exciting player with a strong combination of athleticism and advanced hitting ability for his age. With Houston losing draft picks in recent years due to free-agent signings, continuing to invest in international talent has become increasingly important for the organization.