The Miami Marlins have reached a preliminary agreement with 16-year-old prospect Robinson Canó Jr. on a deal worth $1 million, according to a report by Mike Rodriguez. The pact sets up the young shortstop to join the organization as part of its 2028 international signing class.
MLB International Signing Rules
Under Major League Baseball regulations, an international amateur free agent can officially sign with an MLB franchise between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15 of his signing class year. To qualify, a player must turn 17 years old before Sept. 1 of the calendar year in which he signs.
A Third-Generation MLB Legacy
Canó Jr., a right-handed hitting infielder from the Dominican Republic, comes from a notable baseball pedigree. He is the son of former major league standout Robinson Canó, who played 17 seasons in the big leagues, primarily for the New York Yankees. During his career, the elder Canó collected eight All-Star selections, three Gold Glove awards, 2,639 hits, 335 home runs, and a World Series title in 2009. He later signed a lucrative free-agent deal with the Seattle Mariners, playing there from 2014 through 2018.
Although the senior Canó registered 68.7 career Wins Above Replacement (WAR)—a total that would ordinarily make him a strong candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame—two suspensions for positive performance-enhancing drug (PED) tests make election via the BBWAA ballot unlikely. His final major league appearances came in 2022 as a member of the Atlanta Braves.
The agreement puts Canó Jr. in position to potentially become a third-generation major leaguer. His grandfather, José Canó, pitched in the majors for the Houston Astros during the 1989 season.
