The Pirates have signed Venezuelan center fielder Elvis Escobar for $570,000.

Escobar, 16, is a 5-foot-9, 165-pound lefty with advanced baseball instincts and feel for hitting. Escobar comes from one of baseball's biggest families. He is the son of Jose Escobar, who played 10 games with Cleveland as a middle infielder in 1991. His older brother, Giants lefthander Edwin Escobar, signed with the Rangers for $350,000 in 2008. Kelvim Escobar and Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar are both cousins, as is Mariners short-season Everett righthander Vicente Campos.

Baseball America subscribers have access to Escobar's complete scouting report and other reports on top international prospects who became eligible to sign on July 2.

Escobar is the second major signing for the Pirates since the international signing period opened yesterday, when the organization agreed to terms with Colombian outfielder Harold Ramirez for $1.05 million. Ramirez and Escobar are both represented by Hugo Catrain.