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The Cuban catcher Andy González, 17 years old, officially signed this Saturday with the Houston Astros in the Dominican Republic, according to sports journalist Francys Romero.
González is described as a catcher with excellent defensive tools and a contact bat, characteristics that make him a long-term development prospect for the Houston organization.
The firm has a notable family component: Andy appears in the official photo alongside his brother Alex González, an 18-year-old right-handed pitcher who also signed with the Astros during this same international cycle, for a bonus of 100,000 dollars.
Both are the children of Norberto González, one of the most important left-handed pitchers in Cuban baseball, Olympic champion with Cuba in Athens 2004 and a prominent figure on the national team for over 15 years.
Norberto González was also a world champion in 2005 and participated in the Pan American Games in 2007, before confirming his retirement from active baseball in August 2013.
Que dos hermanos cubanos se incorporen a la misma organización en el mismo período representa un caso inusual en el béisbol de las menores.
Alex González was trained at the Yuan Pino Academy in the Dominican Republic, and his fastball has been clocked in the range of 93 to 96 miles per hour, according to information about his signing with the Astros.
With this signing, Andy González becomes the 21st player born in Cuba to sign during the current international period in Major League Baseball.
The 2026 cycle has been particularly active for Cuban prospects: among the Cuban talents signed by MLB organizations are Rubén Gallego with the Arizona Diamondbacks for 1.8 million dollars, Jaider Suárez with the Kansas City Royals for 1.7 million, and Joniel Hernández with the San Diego Padres for 1.4 million.
During this period, Jaims Martínez also joined the Chicago Cubs for 900,000 dollars, and Karell Naranjo with the Cleveland Guardians for 625,000 dollars, among other Cuban prospects with notable contracts.
As Romero noted when delivering the news: "Andy is the 21st player born in Cuba to sign during the current international period."
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