Report: Cuban base-stealing threat Dairon Blanco defects

This summer's international signing period just got a lot more intriguing.

Speedy Cuban outfielder Dairon Blanco has defected from the island nation in hopes of signing with a Major League Baseball team, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America.

The 23-year-old, who's listed at 6-feet, 175 pounds, spent the past four seasons in Serie Nacional, most recently playing with Granma Alazanes. He's known for his speed, racking up 52 stolen bases while being caught just 13 times over his Cuban career, while leading Serie Nacional with 29 steals during the 2014-15 season.

Though Badler suggests his glove and hitting could use work, Blanco did slash .303/.369/.409 over his career, and struck out 118 times to 81 walks. He also won a Gold Glove in 2014-15.

Blanco was not part of the Cuban national squad that faced the Tampa Bay Rays in Havana this past March.

Because of the timing of his defection, Blanco will fall under next year's international bonus pool. It's highly unlikely that he'll be cleared to sign by MLB in time for the start of the 2016 signing period, according to Badler, which opens July 2.

MLB's current signing period for international players is set to close June 15.