The Twins have signed 17-year-old Dominican shortstop prospect Javier Pimental to a $575,000 bonus, according to Baseball America and MLBTradeRumors.com.
According to Baseball America, Pimental is a 6-foot-2, 160-pound righthanded hitter, who "is a skinny shortstop with a projectable body who has shown good hands and arm in the field. He's a solid-average runner. He isn't a huge threat at the plate right now, but he could grow into more power as he fills out his lanky body."
The Twins' international efforts continue to grow. They have exclusive negotiating rights with Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka through Dec. 26, and you can add Pimental to a list of young Dominican infield prospects that include Miguel Angel Sano and Jorge Polanco.
Update: Mike Radcliff, the Twins' VP of Player Personnel, said Pimental is now about 6-3, 185. "We like his bat," Radcliff said. Polanco is more of a true shortstop. Pimental is a hitting prospect likely to move to third base or the outfield as he matures.
