HTMS Minor League Baseball Report
Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced the passing of first-round draft choice Chico Morales.
Morales, a 6'5", 215-lb. switch-hitting phenom from San Juan, Puerto Rico, went missing nearly six months ago. All leads having been exhausted in the case, he has been declared dead by local authorities. He was considered to be the top available prospect in last year’s draft.
"The entire Pittsburgh Pirates organization sends its deepest and most heartfelt regards to the family of Chico Morales. We anticipated Chico to be the cornerstone of our franchise for years to come. He is a once in a generation talent, and his passing is a loss for not only his family and friends, but for the entire sport."
As a first-round draft choice with the organization, it is estimated Morales would have signed a three-year deal worth $12 million, with a $1 million guaranteed signing bonus.
Details are scarce, but sources claim that Morales, 22, disappeared the night following the draft. He was last seen at The Ocean Bar and Grill, a popular nightspot located near San Juan’s Luiz Munoz Marin International Airport. Security cameras captured the young man dining with two unidentified white males before hastily paying the check and dispersing.
According to family and friends, there has been no correspondence with Morales since that evening.
"Words cannot express how devastated we are," said Eduardo Morales, Chico’s father and one-time Yankee prospect. "Chico, if you are hearing this, we love you, Papi. Please come home."
New York
The New York Yankees have come to terms with free agent center fielder Mico Corales. Corales, a 6'5" switch-hitting phenom from Bayamon, Puerto Rico, agreed to terms Wednesday at the team’s spring training facility in Tampa, Florida.
"We anticipate Mico to be the cornerstone of our organization for years to come. He is a once in a generation talent, and his signing is going to be huge for not only Mico and his family, but for all of Major League Baseball."
Terms were not available at press time, but the deal is reported to be for five years and $30 million, with a $1.5 million signing bonus.
Corales came out of nowhere last year to lead the Puerto Rican winter league in home runs, RBI and slugging percentage.
"Words cannot express how proud we are," said Maduardo Corales, Mico’s father. "Mico, we love you, Papi! Nueva YORK!"
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