Norge Vera Is Now Officially a Member of the White Sox

Announcement delayed, but the best pitcher in the international class is on his way into the system

It took six weeks after the announcement of Yoelqui Céspedes, but the other plum of the White Sox international signing class, Norge Vera, is now officially signed. The class includes Adrián Gil, who trained under former White Sox pitcher Freddy García.

Vera gets a touch less than Céspedes’ bonus, at $1.5 million, but is said to be ticketed for High-A Winston-Salem when he comes Stateside in 2022.

Here’s the full/copyedited White Sox release, including the rest of their international class for 2021:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, February 26, 2021

WHITE SOX AGREE TO TERMS WITH CUBAN PITCHER NORGE VERA

Chicago Also Agreed to Terms with Six Additional International Players

CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms with Cuban right-handed pitcher Norge Vera ($1.5 million signing bonus), outfielder/first baseman Darío Borrero, right-handed pitchers Adrián Gil and Carlos Hinestroza, catcher Manuel Guarimán, outfielder Carlos Jiménez and third baseman Víctor Quezada.

”I am thrilled with the talent we were able to add to the organization during this international signing period,” said Marco Paddy, White Sox special assistant to the general manager-international operations. “It was highlighted with the signings of Yoelqui Céspedes and Norge Vera — a right-handed pitcher with an outstanding fastball and who has shown promising secondary pitches — and capped off with six talented young players. I cannot wait to see this group compete throughout the White Sox system.”

Vera, 20, played one season (2018-19) for Santiago de Cuba in the Cuban Serie Nacional, Cuba’s top-level league, going 2-3 with a 3.79 ERA in 54 ²⁄₃ innings, one complete game, one shutout and 37 strikeouts in 11 starts.

The 6´4´´, 185-pound Vera is rated by MLB Pipeline as its No. 15 international prospect. His father, Norge Luis, played 17 seasons with Santiago de Cuba in the Cuban Serie Nacional.

Borrero, 17, is a native of Valencia, Venezuela. The 6´5´´, 198-pound outfielder/first baseman bats and throws left-handed.

Gil, 17, is a native of Barcelona, Venezuela. The 6´1´´, 180-pound right-handed pitcher was trained by former White Sox pitcher and 2005 World Series champion Freddy García.

Hinestroza, 18, is a 6´1´´, 190-pound righthander. He is a native of Panamá, Panama.

Guarimán, 17, is a native of Barcelona, Venezuela. The 6´0´´, 190-pound catcher throws and bats right-handed.

Jiménez, 19, is a 6´4´´, 220-pound outfielder. The Panamá, Panama native throws and bats left-handed.

Quezada, 17, is a native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic The 6´1´´, 185-pound third baseman throws and bats right-handed.