Who Is Dian Toscano And Why Did The Atlanta Braves Sign Him
By Jeff Schafer
Heading into the 2014 Winter Meetings, we were anticipating the Atlanta Braves making a huge splash. Well as we wrap up day one, the Atlanta Braves have announced they have signed Cuban outfielder Dian Toscano to a major league contract.
Braves strike in the Cuban market, agreeing to a major league contract with OF Dian Toscano: http://t.co/Qj1v5Rcddz
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) December 8, 2014
Who Is Dian Toscano??
Toscano is a 25-year-old is a 5-foot-10, 200 pound primarily outfielder who bats left-handed with good bat control and strike-zone awareness. He had a slash line of .356/.400/.452 in 86 plate appearances in the 2012-2013 season…his last season in Cuba. He was supposedly suspended and removed from his Cuba team’s roster after he defected from Cuba and landed in the Dominican Republic. He never played on the Cuban national team so many scouts really have had a good look at this young player.
He has played all outfield positions and played first base in Cuba. He looks like a bench bat that the Braves could in many different position if needed. They will give him a shot in Spring Training and see what he can do.
Why Did The Braves Sign Him?
Let me be the first to say I was not in the Dominican Republic nor do I know this for a fact…I am certainly speculating…
When the Braves were down in the Dominican scouting Yasmany Tomas, they somehow saw Toscano hit the ball and really liked what they saw. Whether he was catching batting practice on the field when Tomas was hitting or took BP before or after Tomas, somehow the Braves representatives that were down in the DR saw Toscano. The Braves went home, called his agent and they worked out a deal.
I think the Braves see a good contact hitter that could come off the bench as a pinch hitter and be successful. He can also play multiple position in the field while hitting for average at the plate.
He’ll head into the spring with a major league contract and on the Braves 40 man roster. This does not mean he will make the Braves opening day roster but he has the chance to.
On December 8th, I’ll make yal real excited and say Dian Toscano may be the steal of the winter!
UPDATE:
According to Mark Bowman who has had talks with John Hart, the Braves are pursuing Toscano but has yet to sign him.
Hart confirmed the # Braves are still pursuing Toscano. But they still have not reached an agreement.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) December 9, 2014