The New York Yankees might have an heir to aging star shortstop Derek Jeter.
According to Baseball America, the Yankees have signed Cuban shortstop Yadil Mujica, who is reported to be 26 years old. Obviously, Cuban ages can be a bit shaky. YouTube has this extensive video of Mujica.
Here’s what Baseball America says about Mujica:
“Scouting info on Cuban defectors can be scarce, but Yadil Mujica appeared on the nation’s preliminary roster for the ’09 World Baseball Classic and batted .358/.432/.440 that season before defecting.”
Baseball-Reference.com has a more extensive bio:
“Yadil Mujica was emerging as one of the top young infielders in Cuba before defecting.
Mujica debuted as a teenager with Matanzas in 2003-2004, hitting .217/.299/.237 while playing almost every game. In part-time action in 2004-2005, he batted .306/.363/.333. He hit .302/.362/.392 in 2005-2006. In 2006-2007, his batting line read .300/.344/.350.
Mujica made major strides in 2007-2008; after 4 home runs in his first four seasons, he went deep 9 times. He hit .358/.418/.514 with 60 runs in 83 games. He did not finish among the league’s top 10 in any category but was close in a few. He made the league All-Star team at shortstop ahead of national team mainstay Eduardo Paret.
Mujica was on Cuba’s preliminary roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic but did not make the final cut. In 2008-2009, he batted .358/.432/.440 and tied for 4th in the league with 22 errors. He defected following that season.”
No word on where Mujica is expected to start the 2011 season, though it’s expected to be with a full-season team.
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