Jose Almonte (pictured) and Matt Warkentin will likely train at the Cubs' Arizona facility before playing in the minors. (Credit: John Meore/The Journal News via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
Jose Almonte (pictured) and Matt Warkentin will likely train at the Cubs' Arizona facility before playing in the minors. (Credit: John Meore/The Journal News via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

Cubs sign two prospects from independent leagues


by - Senior Writer -

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs have officially signed two prospects from independent leagues. Right-handed pitcher Jose Almonte and first baseman Matt Warkentin inked deals with the Cubs organization and can expect to be assigned to minor league clubs soon.

Almonte, a former Boston Red Sox prospect recently started in a game for the New Jersey Jackals of the Frontier League, striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings pitched. Now, the 25-year-old from the Dominican Republican is back in a farm system. Almonte spent several seasons as a minor leaguer after signing with the Red Sox as an international free agent.

As for Warkentin, the 24-year-old from Canada played his college ball for the Xavier Musketeers, and the 6-foot-6, 250-pounder recently showed off his power-hitting acumen in five games with the Bismarck Larks of the Northwoods League. Warkentin went undrafted out of college, and the Cubs are the first MLB organization to bring him aboard.

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