Spokane Indians add another top-5 prospect in outfielder Julio Pablo Martinez

The Texas Rangers assigned two outfielders to the Spokane Indians’ opening day roster on Friday: Julio Pablo Martinez, the organization’s third-ranked prospect, and Hasuan Viera.

Martinez, 22, a Cuban native, signed as an international free agent in March for $2.8 million.

He possesses impressive speed and the potential to be an above-average hitter.

The left-handed slugger went 9 for 22 with a home run, triple, double and nine walks – including four in a single game on June 4 – during his seven games in the Dominican Summer League this season.

He batted .333/.469/.498 with 24 steals in 61 games in Cuba’s top league as a 20-year-old in 2016-17 before defecting. Before joining Texas, he spent parts of two seasons in the independent Can-Am League and hit .280/.335/.414 with 24 steals in 76 contests.

Viera, 22, another international free-agent signing from Cuba, hit .238/.419/.286 with a double and seven RBIs in seven games for the Rangers Dominican Summer League team.

The Indians have the No. 3 prospect in the Rangers’ organization, according to MLB, and the No. 4 in pitcher Hans Crouse, a second-round draft pick in 2017.