Concepción Signs Multi-Million Dollar Contract with Chicago Cubs

He’s only 19-years-old… But Gerardo Concepción is one step closer to a career in the major leagues…

The Cuban left-handed pitcher has signed a multi-year contract with the Chicago Cubs worth a reported $7 million, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Gerardo Concepcion

Concepción, last season’s Cuban National Series Rookie of the Year, isn’t expected to jump into the Cubs’ rotation right away though.

“I would not throw him into the major leagues yet,” Concepción’s agent Jaime Torres told The Tribune. “While I think he can make it really fast, he is only 19. But this kid has good stuff, a great makeup and he’s extremely intelligent.”

The baseball phenom defected from Cuba last year during the World Port Tournament in the Netherlands and recently established residency in Mexico—with Major League Baseball declaring him a free-agent last month.

He has been working at a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic to prepare for his big league signing.

In Cuba, Concepción finished the 2010-11 season with a 10-3 win-loss record and a 3.36 earned run average (ERA).

His scouting report lists Concepción at 6’ 2” with a solid command of the fastball, which registers in the low 90-mile per hour range. His arsenal also includes a mean curveball and a change-up.