Should The Braves Consider Yasmani Tomas

In June Bed Badler over at Baseball American reported that Yasmani (or Yasmany) Tomas, one of Cuba’s top power hitters had managed to get off the island and seek out residence in another country on his way to an MLB career. Today Jesse Sanchez reported he was now eligible to sign.

Source: Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas has been cleared by US govt (OFAC). He still needs to be declared a free agent by MLB before he can sign
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) September 10, 2014

From Cuba the hitters just keep coming

At 23 years old (24 in November) and with five seasons in Serie Nacional, Tomas doesn’t count against the international bonus pool and can sign as a free agent. The 6’1”, 225 pound Tomas projects as a corner outfielder with 70 power on the scouts 20-80n scale. He has played center but lacks the speed to do that regularly.

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Tomas took part in the last WBC and made a name for himself by displacing veteran Alexei Bell in right field and going 6-16 (.412) with two homers and a double to go with four strikeouts. Back in the Cuban league in 2012-13 Tomas made 324 plate appearances in 81 games put up a .289/.364/.538 with 15 homers. That power earned him 10 intentional walks (he had 34 -11%- in all) and struck out 52 times (16%). Those numbers earned him a trip to the states in August to play the USA national team. Here’s a look at him going deep in the WBC

Scouts noted that he displayed a sluggers uppercut swing during in the WBC and used that to negate his power during the series against team USA. The power arms on the staff blew high heat by him then getting him to go after soft breaking stuff resulting in a 3-18 (.167) performance including seven strikeouts.

Tomas ran into an outfield wall and injured his arm early in the 2013-2014 season just completed. As a result he managed just 257 PA and provided just six home runs while putting up a 290/.346/.450 slash. He continued to strike out twice as much as he walked – 46 times to 21 – but one suspects that his performance didn’t warrant the intentional walks he received in prior years.

That’s A Wrap

Tomas’ age, power, and experience make him a tempting target for a lot of teams. Making him more attractive is his lack of attachment to a draft pick and the need to give up prospects to get him. He does however have a downside.

While he is a good player he isn’t at the Jorge Soler, Yoenis Cespedes. Rusney Castillo level at the plate or in the field. He’s said to be near major league ready but he will have to correct his trouble with the curve and the high heat to be an everyday player. Given the issues the Braves have with hitters making useful contact and their payroll issues I’d say we won’t see Tomas in a Braves uniform any time soon.

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