MLB NEWS

Cuban pitcher Ruiz seek MLB contract

The Sports Xchange

May 22, 2015 at 5:00 pm.

Cuban right-hander Norge Ruiz defected from his native country and is pursuing a contract with a major league team.

The 21-year-old is considered one of the top pitching prospects in Cuba, MLB.com reported. Baseball America called Ruiz the best pitcher in Cuba and ranked him the No. 8 overall prospect in the country.

Baseball America noted that Ruiz has “shown mid-rotation starter potential with average to above-average stuff across the board and polished feel for pitching well beyond his years.”

Yahoo Sports reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be an early favorite to land Ruiz, who played with several teams in the Cuban National Series.

Ruiz could possibly land with a major league team during the next international signing period.