Cubs Rumors: Fernando Cruz Signs Contract; Ranked No. 4 International Prospect

The Chicago Cubs and Dominican shortstop prospect Fernando Cruz reportedly reached a $4 million contract Monday.

Jesse Borek and Jesus Cano of MLB.com reported the Cubs used the vast majority of their $5.1 million pool money to sign the 17-year-old, who is the No. 4 ranked international prospect.

Cruz is known as a tantalizing prospect with 20-homer potential at the MLB level, along with all the makings of a stalwart defensive player at shortstop.

The Cubs will have plenty of time to allow Cruz to develop in the minors after signing Dansby Swanson to a seven-year contract ahead of last season. By the time Swanson's deal ends, Cruz will be in his early 20s and potentially ready to take over as the heir apparent.

Cruz is the fourth noteworthy shortstop to be added to Chicago's minor league system. Matt Shaw is currently in Double-A and was a first-round pick in last July's draft. Shaw could wind up shifting over to second base in the majors, especially with MLB.com projecting him for a 2025 debut.

The Cubs signed Dominican shortstop Jefferson Rojas two years ago using $1 million of their international pool money and has been impressive despite being younger than most of his competition in the minors at age 18. They also dipped into the international pool to sign Derniche Valdez out of the Dominican Republic last offseason.

While one could question the Cubs for signing three straight shortstops using their pool money in as many offseasons, the minor league developmental system can be a crapshoot. Even if all of their top prospects wind up developing to the peak of their potential, they could be used as foundations for a trade or wind up changing positions as they develop.