CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Reds have signed another Cuban free agent, shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez, to a $7 million deal.
The 22-year-old Rodriguez is the third Cuban player to sign with the Reds since 2010, following former closer Aroldis Chapman and pitcher Raisel Iglesias.
Rodriguez will start playing in the Dominican Summer League.
Rodriguez was the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year and won the equivalent of a Gold Glove in Cuba's Serie Nacional. He batted .265 with 12 stolen bases in 16 attempts in 84 games for La Isla De La Juventud.
"Our whole group that scouted Aroldis and Raisel also saw Alfredo," senior director of amateur scouting Chris Buckley said. "We all think he's an everyday shortstop with a chance to play plus-defense. He's a very smooth defensive infielder, a good line-drive bat and a plus-runner.
"We were impressed with his all-around defensive actions. It's very hard to find an everyday shortstop who we liked everything about."
