White Sox adding Cuban outfielder Loidel Chapellí Jr. to international class

By / / FutureSox, General

In a not-so-surprising twist, the White Sox are reportedly in agreement with another Cuban prospect who recently defected from the country. Francys Romero of beisbolfr.com notes that the 20-year-old Cuban outfielder will sign with the White Sox for $500,000 during the current international signing period that began this past Jan. 15.

Chapellí left the the U-23 Cuban team last year while playing in Mexico along with 12 other players who could be looking to sign with major league clubs. He was the MVP of the U-15 World Cup in 2016 and was named Rookie of the Year in Cuba in 2019. The outfielder is listed at 5-8 and 187 pounds and the left-handed hitter throws with his right. As a 17-year-old during the 2019-2020 season, Chapellí hit .288/.390/.366 with 28 walks and just 24 strikeouts over the course of 244 plate appearances while appearing in 61 games. The following season, the outfielder hit .318/.442/.496 with 50 walks against just 52 strikeouts while clubbing seven homers in 73 games and 314 plate appearances. His playing time in Cuba came with Ganaderos de Camagüey in the 16-team Cuban National Series.

The White Sox also believe that Chapellí could play some second base according to a later tweet from Romero. It’s an interesting pivot from the organization after failing to ink an agreement with rumored target Angel Cruz. The Dominican right-hander failed a physical with the club earlier this year and the organization still had around $850,000 in their international bonus pool space to use. Choosing to go this direction with a 20-year-old Cuban with these tools is a way to lengthen their class and add more upside.

Oscar Colás and Erick Hernández were the prizes of this year’s class for Marco Paddy and his team, but Chapellí is receiving the third largest bonus in the group and quickly catapults over some of the other signings that were consummated in this period. Most clubs don’t have international bonus pool space left during this period and the White Sox are fortunate to be able to secure the services of a legitimate international prospect this late in the game.

Some footage from a Mexican League showcase courtesy of Romero:

Here’s a ball in the gap against Panama:
And more, courtesy of Pelota Cubana:

Scouting reports on the player are as limited as usual, but the videos and statistics throughout his young career indicate a decent hit tool could be present and the bat speed looks to be at least average. Chapellí has been known for contact skills, plus run times and defensive range. Conditioning will likely be an issue early on as well as assimilating to baseball in the United States as early as this fall. Chapellí likely begins his career with the rookie-level club in the Dominican Summer League this year. How quickly he moves through the system will depend on a multitude of other factors.

The one who got away

The White Sox were also in the market for the top starting pitcher in next year’s international class as well, but they apparently don’t get to sign every Cuban prospect who hits the market. Right-handed pitcher Luis Danys Morales recently threw in his final showcase for international scouts. The 19-year-old was impressive and will reportedly receive a bonus north of $3 million while waiting until next January for the subsequent signing period to begin.

Some footage from recent showcase:

I wrote about Morales and his prospects in a recent analysis piece regarding the White Sox’s 2022 international class. It wasn’t expected that they would have enough money available in this current period to sign the player. Last week, Romero reported that the Cuban hurler will be signing a contract with the Oakland Athletics during the period that will begin on Jan. 15, 2023.

Multiple sources have indicated to FutureSox that the White Sox offered “something in the neighborhood of $2.5 million” and the organization was very interested in the pitcher. Another source even surmised that the club’s intention was to trade for more international space to match or even top Oakland’s offer. The White Sox have pre-agreements already for the 2023 signing period and wouldn’t be able to trade for additional pool space until that period commences. Morales and his representatives have decided to not wait, and they’ll commit to the Athletics instead.

The White Sox still possess around $300,000 in their bonus pool for the current period and they also apparently have a significant sum of cash to play with in the next period based on what has been reported. Any time Cuban players become eligible to sign in the international market place, it should be assumed that the White Sox will have some level of interest, even if Morales shows the difficulty in landing them all.


15 thoughts on “White Sox adding Cuban outfielder Loidel Chapellí Jr. to international class”

  1. Wayne

    Thanks for the update and coverage. Wonder how bad the physical for Angel Cruz that reduced signing amount hasn’t shown up. Or maybe another club has more that they will give him next period even with bad medicals?
    Still wish White Sox could get some of the youngest international prospects.

    1. James Fox

      Was told it was drug test related for Angel Cruz which happens sometimes. I think that bonus was in the $600K range though so it definitely allowed them to sign Chapellí in this period instead of the next one.

    2. Right Size Wrong Shape

      It would probably still be a better idea than Jake Burger: Second Baseman.

    3. a-t

      Baseball Reference describes Chapelli as hitting lefty but throwing righty, which would make a lot more sense

  3. As Cirensica

    OH…that’s a last name I can see English speaking broadcasters having difficulties.

  4. TylerDurden

    looking at his stats at Cuba CNS league..his stats look better than Cespedes at same age and league!?

    Yet only 500k. Seems to have better pitch discipline BB’s and K’s
    ( that’s plaguing Cespedes’ upside )

  5. Esteban

    Chapelli is a son of Loidel Sr., a former first baseman, who played a little in the Cuban National team in the past. Chapelli´s uncle, Laudel, played outfield and left Cuba to play in the Italian league. Loidel Jr. is a batter less likely to strike out, but no power. I saw him playing with Camagüey as OF and DH. Doubtful as a future bigleaguer, hope to be wrong.

  6. Esteban

    WSox can make a good deal to contract César Prieto, good Cuban LH hitter, who plays second base, and is very speedy. According to the rules, Prieto should be available by mid June 2022. He defected last year being in Miami with the National Cuban team.

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