As most of you were sleeping last evening the Royals were putting the finishing touches on inking another international free agent prospect. As he turns 16 years old today, shortstop Adalberto Mondesi of the Dominican Republic became eligible to sign a contract with a major league ball club. He accepted a $2 million offer from the Kansas City Royals and thus will begin his venture towards major league baseball.
The 5'11" 160 lbs switch-hitting shortstop is the son of longtime Los Angeles Dodger Raul Mondesi. Mondesi hit 271 home runs in a major league career that lasted from 1993 until he retied in 2005.
Adalberto's brother, Raul Mondesi Jr is an outfielder in the Milwaukee Brewers system, but Adalberto is viewed as the better prospect of the two.
Here is a video of the newest Royals signee-
Clint Scoles over at pinetarpress.com wrote about Mondesi in June as the youngster had long been rumored to be favoring the Royals.
Mondesi marks the fourth known player the Royals have signed this month when teams first became allowed to sign international free agents. Previously the Royals had signed Venezuelans Angelo Castalleno and Luis Lara, and heralded Dominican proscpect Elier Hernandez.