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The Cuban prospect Rodelvis Santiesteban, 17 years old and hailing from Guantánamo, has agreed to sign with the Chicago Cubs during the current international signing period 2025-2026, for a bonus of 20,000 dollars, according to specialized journalist Francys Romero.
Santiesteban left Cuba in June 2024 in search of an opportunity in organized baseball and completed his training at the GT Baseball Academy, located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, under the supervision of former Cuban player Jorge Luis Toca.
The young player is classified as a "super utility," which means he can perform in multiple positions on the field, a versatility that enhances his value to any organization.
His main tool, however, is speed: Santiesteban records 6.3 seconds in the 60 yards, a mark that places him among the fastest players of his generation and caught the attention of the evaluators for the Cubs.
The signing takes place during an international period in which Chicago has been one of the most active organizations in the Cuban market.
In that same cycle, the Cubs signed shortstop Jaims Martínez for 900,000 dollars and pitcher Naikys Piedra, in April 2026, who became the 16th Cuban to sign during that period.
The franchise had a group of international bonuses amounting to 6,679,200 dollars for the 2025-2026 cycle, corresponding to teams in major markets.
The flow of Cuban ballplayers to professional baseball in the United States has remained steady in recent years, with young prospects leaving the island, training in academies in the Dominican Republic or Mexico, and being scouted by Major League scouts.
Bonds for low-profile prospects or those without international competitive history typically range between $10,000 and $50,000, while the more sought-after talents can receive millions.
By April 7, there were already 17 Cuban players who had signed with various Major League organizations for the 2025-2026 season, a number that reflects the ongoing exodus of talent from the island.
At just 17 years old, Santiesteban begins his professional career with the goal of advancing through the minor league system and getting closer to the dream of one day reaching the Major Leagues with one of the most storied franchises in American baseball.
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