What do we make of the Oscar Colas signing?

Oscar Colas

This will be a blog about baseball players whom I've never seen play before.

The White Sox signed two outfielders during the international signing period, 23-year-old Oscar Colas and 17-year-old Erick Hernandez.

Colas signed a $2.7 million deal, while Hernandez gets $1 million. Both these players bat left and throw left, but it's hard for a fan to know exactly what the Sox are getting.

Hernandez will most likely spend 2022 playing in the Dominican Summer League, and with him being a teenager, it will probably be years before he's on the radar as far as possibly being added to the 40-man roster.

Colas, however, is a different story. He comes with some degree of hype, as he has been called the "Cuban Ohtani" in the past. However, despite his ability to throw a 95-mph fastball, Colas will not be a pitcher in the U.S. He will be focused on playing outfield, and he will be playing ball in this country this season -- likely starting at Double-A Birmingham, from what I'm hearing.

One bit of concern with Colas: He hasn't played organized baseball since 2019. He's basically been in limbo, participating in "controlled games" in the Dominican Republic and waiting for the Sox to sign him -- the team didn't have the money available during last year's international signing period.

That said, the last time Colas played in a professional league, he more than held his own in Japan. He slashed .302/.350/.516 with 11 home runs, 19 doubles and 46 RBIs in 66 games for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks. Not bad at all, especially knowing the Japanese leagues produce some decent ballplayers and provide some decent competition.

Signing Colas is a worthwhile move in my book, especially since the Cuban players already in the organization should help ease his transition to a new country and a new culture.

The Sox certainly could use a power-hitting, left-handed corner outfielder. Only problem is, 2022 is a win-now season for the Sox, and it is not realistic to believe Colas can fill that hole immediately. Long term, is he a potential solution? Sure. You never know. I'll be interested to see how he looks whenever spring training starts.

However, this signing does not let the Sox front office off the hook. When the lockout ends, they still need to be active in free agency and trades and find a right fielder for 2022.