The Reds announced Saturday that they have signed highly touted Cuban shortstop Jose Israel Garcia to a Minor League contract.
The 19-year old is expected to get a signing bonus close to $5 million, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. He will report to Cincinnati's Dominican Summer League affiliate.
"Right away, Jose stood out because of his 6-foot, 3-inch live, athletic body," said Reds director of international scouting Tony Arias in a prepared statement. "During the 18U Pan Am gold medal game, I thought this kid would fit right in with the USA team's middle infielders, who were going to be some of the best young kids available for the 2017 Draft.