The Royals have agreed to terms with 16-year-old shortstop Marten Gasparini, considered by some experts to be the most promising European prospect ever. Gasparini, from Cervignano, Italy, reportedly will receive a signing bonus of $1.3 million — highest ever for a European, eclipsing the previous mark of $750,000. Gasparini, 16, is ranked as MLB.com’s No. 4 international prospect and the top European on MLB.com’s list of the 30 top international prospects.

Gasparini grew up in Alture, a small town in northeast Italy, and speaks English as well as Italian. Marten played club baseball in Italy and in international competition for the country. He hasn’t had a lot of experience against quality pitching and is far from a finished product, but scouts feel he could blossom in the right circumstance.

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