The FC Barcelona has signed the 18-year-old right-handed pitcher Oscar Gimenez from Hercules L’Hospitalet. The prospect, who throws 86-87 MPH with his fastball, generated much interest among the Division de Honor clubs from Barcelona. He decided to go to Barca, where he can work with Pedro Belmonte. He was invited twice to the Major League Academy in Tirrenia, Italy.
Gimenez pitched for Spain in the European Championship Juniors in Bonn, Germany this summer, going 1-1 with an ERA of 1.38 in two starts. He struck out 15 batters in 13 innings, while walking six. He later also was a member of the 29-man preliminary roster of the Senior Team for the IBAF Baseball World Cup in September, but didn’t make the final cut. He pitched for Spain in the European Championship 21U (1-0, ERA 1.64, 11 IP, 13 SO, 4 BB) last year.
Photo: © Diego Lazaro
