UPDATE - OF - Yasmani Tomas

Outfielder Yasmani Tomas has defected from Cuba and will pursue a contract with a Major League team, according to Baseball America's Ben Badler. Cuba's state newspaper, Granma, has confirmed Tomas' defection.

Tomas, 23, is a power hitting outfielder (70-grade raw power) who could step directly into a big league lineup upon being signed. He might spend a little time in the minors likeYasiel Puig did, but he has shown he can hit at a high level. Tomas batted .375/.412/.813 with two home runs and five runs batted in during the 2013 World Baseball Classic. Badler named him the sixth-best prospect in the tournament behind Japan's Masahiro Tanaka and fellow Cuban defector Jose Abreu.

Tomas also hit .286 in 81 games for Industriales last year with 15 homers, 45 runs scored and 60 RBIs.

http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2014/6/20/5827884/yasmani-tomas-defector-cuba-free-agent-abreu-despaigne