Drafted: Undrafted international free agent
Height: 5′11″ Weight: 175 lbs
Born: January 5, 1990
Iglesias broke into Cuba’s top league at the tender age of 17, and then defected during the World Junior Championships. He signed with the Red Sox last September for four years and $8.25 million (a deal that included a team-record $6.25 million signing bonus).
He immediately headed to the Arizona Fall League where he blew people away with his defense and hit a respectable .275 (according to reports, his offense was supposed to be lagging).
The scouts who saw him in Arizona and spring training have raved about his quick hands, foot work, plus-arm and plus-plus glove. They report he is ready to play defense in the big leagues right now…maybe even at a Gold Glove level.
In the batter’s box, he has a short, quick swing. He makes consistent contact, but lacks pop. He has lightning-quick hands and excellent bat speed. The scouts say he may be too aggressive at the plate, this relegating him to hitting in the bottom of the batting order.
He has only average speed, thus isn’t expected to steal many bases.
He is Boston’s shortstop-of-the-future. Free agent Marco Scutaro was signed as a placeholder until he can get acclimated to the game in the United States. He won’t remind anyone of Nomar Garciaparra because he’ll never hit for that kind of power. Nonetheless, he should prove to be one of the best defensive shortstops in franchise history.
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