Some Less than Positive news regarding Arguelles

The Havana Times baseball writer has a big writeup on Cuban defectors Aroldis Chapman and Noel Arguelles. The Royals signed Arguelles and the article has this to say about him.

"Chapman is certainly more of a genuine prospect than 20-year-old Noel Arguelles, whose slick agents recently milked a $7 million, five year contract from the risk-prone Kansas City Royals. But that speaks more to the folly in Kansas City than to any wisdom in Cincinnati. A one-time junior national team ace, Arguelles had no real success at all in the Cuban League, despite laboring with one of that circuit’s best clubs in Habana Province (last season’s league champions).

There he was buried behind the top starters on one of the National Series’ top mound corps (Yulieski González, Yadier Pedroso, Jonder Martínez, and Miguel Angel González) and thus never enjoyed the same chance to impress he might get with the pitching-thin Royals. In Cuba, nonetheless, Arguelles suffered from a debilitating walks/Ks ratio (49/40 over two seasons) and was never in the picture when it came to the senior national team. At least Chapman can boast a smattering of heavy-duty international tournament experience."

Young prospects, particularly Latin American prospects are usually showered with praise and the upside is always talked about. It is refreshing to see some honest commentary from someone on these players. I think the Royals realize that the signing is a risk, as is any free agent signing. I still am hopeful that Arguelles works out for the Royals and even more than that I am very happy to see the Royals taking risks in Latin America, which they haven't for quite some time.