Cubs sign four top-30 international prospects

Jed Hoyer, from left, Randy Bush and Theo Epstein watch batting practice at Wrigley Field Thursday, April 5, 2012, in Chicago. | John J. Kim~Sun-Times

The Cubs made a splash to open the international signing period Thursday, signing four of MLB.com’s top 30 prospects.

Among the new signees are Venezuelan shortstop Yonathan Perlaza, Dominican outfielder Yonathan Sierra Estiwal, Dominican shorstop Aramis Ademan and Panamanian catcher Miguel Amaya.

Perlaza, the 13th-ranked prospect by MLB.com, signed for $1.3 million. Estiwal, ranked 16th, signed for $2.5 million, and Ademan, ranked 19th, signed for $2 million. Amaya, who is ranked 25th, signed for $1.25 million.

Here’s a quick overview on how the international signing period works:

An international player is eligible to sign with a Major League team between July 2 through June 15 of next year if the prospect turns 17 before Sept. 1 of this year or by the completion of his first Minor League season. Additionally, any prospect who is already 17 or older and has not previously signed a Major or Minor League contract, resides outside the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and has not been enrolled in a high school or college in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico within the previous year is eligible to sign during the period.

The White Sox signed two Dominican players in the top 30. Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. (No. 27) signed for $700,000, and outfielder Franklin Reyes (No. 30) signed for $1.5 million.

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