January 12th, 2014 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka (Note: This article first appeared on ThinkBlueLA.com on June 29, 2012)
The Dodgers have officially announced the signing of Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig to a seven-year Major League contract. General Manager Ned Colletti made the announcement. “Scouting and signing talent in Latin America is critical and this signing shows ownership’s commitment to reengage in the region and dedicate ourselves to getting stronger in this area,” said Colletti. “We feel that Yasiel can be an outstanding Major League player for the organization.”
Yasiel Puig makes an absolutely impossible diving catch in center field and then doubled up a runner on second base. (Video capture from YouTube video)
Yasiel Puig (pronounced Ya-see-el Pweeg) played professionally in Cuba for Cienfuegos during the 2010-11 Cuban Series and hit .330 with 17 homers, 19 doubles, six triples, 47 RBI with a .430 on-base percentage in just 327 at-bats. In the playoffs following that season, Puig hit .370 in 46 at-bats.
“Yasiel is a fantastic kid with an infectious personality and we think he has the tools to be a front line player in the Major Leagues,” said Dodgers assistant GM Logan White. “He is very physical and athletic with raw power…he can hit it a long way. On top of that, he has a good arm and is an above average runner. We had a great team of people that worked to get this done and I’m proud of our staff.”
Yasiel Puig
The speedy, strong-armed 21-year-old outfielder is expected to report to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, AZ when he arrives in the United States. If the six-foot, three-inch, 215-pound Puig reaches the Major Leagues, he will become the eighth native of Cuba in Dodger history and the first since Danys Baez in 2006. The last Dodger position player born in Cuba was shortstop Zoilo Versalles (1968).
The most famous native of Cuba to play for the Dodgers (both Brooklyn and Los Angeles) was outfielder Sandy Amoros, who had 324 hits from 1952-60 and made a game-saving catch in Game 7 of the 1955 World Series, robbing Hall of Famer Yogi Berra of extra bases. In addition to Amoros, Baez and Versalles, Camilo Pascual (1970), Rene Valdes (1957), Chico Fernandez (1956) and Dolph Luque (1930-31) were all Cuban-born players to wear Dodger Blue. Pascual has been a longtime Dodger scout, covering Venezuela, as has legendary scout Mike Brito, who was born in Cuba. In addition, Dodger scouts Ralph Avila and Manny Estrada are also natives of Cuba, as is Rancho Cucamonga Quakes manager Juan Bustabad.
The Dodgers held Spring Training in Havana from 1941-42 and again in 1947. Many legendary Dodgers spent extensive time playing in Cuba, including Jackie Robinson, Don Newcombe, Duke Snider and Sandy Koufax. Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda not only played in Cuba, but was inducted into the Cuban Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and beat the Cuban National team on his way to a gold medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. In the 2012 First-Year Draft held earlier this month, the Dodgers took two Cuban players, pitchers Onelki Garcia and Alfredo Unzue, while signing another as a free agent, catcher Selme Angulo.
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Trust in Logan White. There are a lot of strategic statements being made by scouts of other teams, saying that they don’t understand this signing and that the Dodgers over paid. I say listen to what Logan has to say. He went to Mexico, more than once. He monitored his workouts, took this young man out to dinner. He sized him up. He says he’s a 5 tool guy. Based on White’s track record, I’m in the corner that believes that Puig is a steal at 7 years-$42 million. On Sirius radio today White said it would be unfair to expect Puig to contribute this year and that he needs to work himself into playing shape since he has been away from the game for about a year. Logan is aware that Puig is rusty right now and he said so. Hopefully the fanbase has the patience to let this 21 year old develop.
During the pre-game interview on Friday, Mattingly said that the plan is to run Puig through their Minor League system just as they would any other new draft pick. He acknowledged that Puig is rusty after having not played for nearly a full season and needs to become “game ready.”
That said, I suspect that Yasiel will be put on the fast track and will move through the system quickly.
During the Dodgers radio broadcast on Saturday evening, Charlie Steiner asked Rick Monday his thoughts on the Puig signing and the fact that it was done pretty much entirely on the featured video clip above. Rick was very adamant and confident in his answer saying that the stuff in that video clip cannot be taught; it is God-given talent and Puig has an abundance of it. Monday added that the Puig signing also shows the commitment that this new ownership group has towards rebuilding the team’s farm system and their international programs.
Like you, I also see this signing as HUGE!
It’s pretty amazing how accurate those original scouting reports were.