Angels set to ink Cuban prospect Baldoquin

The Angels signed Cuban infielder Roberto Baldoquin with a record $8 million signing bonus on Tuesday, according to MLB.com.

Baldoquin, 20, defected from Cuba in February and has been training in the Dominican Republic. The Angels have not yet confirmed the deal, but Baldoquin's bonus would be the largest given to an international amateur player during the current international signing period, which began on July 2.

The deal is pending a physical, according to MLB.com. The LA Times reported that Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto was in the Dominican Republic last week.

"This is a dream come true," Baldoquin told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez, who first reported the signing. "I've made a lot of sacrifices to get to this point. I'm ready for the next part of my journey."

Baldoquin is a right-handed middle infielder who can also play third and the outfield. The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder played three seasons for Las Tunas in Cuba's top league and was also on Cuba's 16-and-under national team. He received the biggest bonus for a prospect signed out of Cuba by the Angels since the team gave $3 million to Kendrys Morales in 2005.

The 20-year-old will most likely begin his career in the Minors, with Class A Burlington and Class A Advanced Inland Empire as likely destinations, although it's possible Baldoquin could impress enough in Spring Training to go straight to Double-A Arkansas. The Angels may see the infielder as a potential replacement for Erick Aybar or Howie Kendrick.

As per MLB's Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Angels were alloted $2.38 million in bonus pool money to spend on international amateur players this period, based on the organization's 2013 record. With an $8 million bonus, Los Angeles will have to pay a 100-percent tax on the pool overage and will not be allowed to sign an international player for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods.

Baldoquin's bonus would be the largest bonus given during the international signing period, which began July 2, topping the $3.1 million signing bonus the Brewers handed teenage shortstop Gilbert Lara on July 10. Lara is ranked No. 4 on MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects.