2011 International FA Market

[CaliforniaRaisin]

RHP Luis Mateo signed with the Mets today for $150,000. He signed with the Giants 3 years ago for $625,000 but failed a physical, then was suspended for lying about his age.

 

Some of the top names I have noticed thus far are:

 

Cuba:

 

LHP Rigoberto Arrebato, age 25

OF Yeonis Cespedes, age 26

C David Remedios

LHP Onelkis Garcia Speck, age 23

OF Jorge Soler, age 19

RHP Deinys Suárez

 

Dominican Republic:

 

RHP Gialy Arias, age 16

SS Raimel Flores, age 16

RHP Manuel Gonzalez

RHP Eric Hurtado, age 16

RHP Francis Jesus

RHP Jesus Jones

OF Helsin Martinez, age 16 - rumors that he signed with the Mariners are false

SS Yairo Munoz, age 16 - linked to the Padres, Reds, Yankees

OF Franmil Reyes, age 16

RHP Jerry Then

 

South Korea:

 

SS Ju-Suc Ha

RHP Sung-Hyuk Han

3B Jih-Yuk Ryu

 

Taiwan:

 

RHP/OF Chih-Yu Lin

 

Venezuela:

 

OF/SS Wilmer Becerra

RHP Luis Carreno - age 15, turns 16 on August 12th

RHP Junior Flores

OF Jesus Gonzalez - linked to the Blue Jays

RHP Soid Marquez

OF/1B Sanber Pimentel, age 16

LHP Edgar Pineda

LHP Carlos Rodriguez

RHP Mauricio Silva - turns 16 in late July

RHP Kevin Sosa

OF Carlos Tocci - Rockies and Phillies

 

Amateurs signed in 2011:

 

Astros: SS Luis Reynoso, Domincan Republic - $700,000 bonus

Astros: RHP Harold Arauz, Panama - $300,000 bonus

Astros: SS Arturo Michelena, Venezuela - $220,000 bonus

A's: C Seong-Min Kim, South Korea - $510,000 bonus

Blue Jays: RHP Robert Osuna, Mexico

Blue Jays: SS Dawel Lugo, Dominican Republic - $1.3 million bonus

Blue Jays: LHP Jairo Labour, Dominican Republic - $400,000 bonus

Blue Jays: RHP Manuel Cordova, Venezuela

Braves: OF Iosif Bernal, Panama - $230,000 bonus

Cardinals: LHP Dewin Perez, Colombia - $450,000 bonus

Cardinals: C Jose Godoy, Venezuela - $200,000 bonus

Cubs: C Mark Malave, Venezuela - age 16 - $1.6 million bonus

Cubs: SS Luis Enrique Acosta, Dominican Republic - age 16 - $1.1 million bonus

Cubs: LHP Frank Del Valle, Cuba - age 21 - $800,000 bonus

Cubs: OF Yasiel Balaguert, Cuba - age 19 - $400,000 bonus

Cubs: 3B Ricardo Marcano, Venezuela, age 16 - $400,000 bonus

Cubs: LHP Christian Pieters, Curacao - age 16 - $350,000 bonus

Cubs: RHP Carlos Martinez, Cuba - age 20 - $250,000 bonus

Cubs: LHP Carlos Rodriguez, Venezuela - age 16 - $120,000 bonus

Cubs: RHP Pedro Araujo, Dominican Republic - age 17 - $100,000 bonus

Cubs: LHP Franly Figueroa, Dominican Republic - $70,000 bonus

Cubs: C Alex Pena, Dominican Republic - age 18 - $25,000 bonus

Cubs: LHP Luis Cornelio Montaño, Mexico - age 17

Cubs: OF Eliecer Bonne, Cuba - age 24

Cubs: OF Mayke Reyes, Cubs - age 24

Cubs: SS Rafael Valdes, Cuba - age 27

Cubs: RHP Yoanner Negrin, Cuba

Giants: LHP Adalberto Mejia, Dominican Republic - $350,000 bonus

Indians: SS Dorssys Paulino, Dominican Republic - $1.1 million bonus

Indians: OF Anthony Santander, Venezuela - $385,000 bonus

Indians: OF Francisco Miguel, Dominican Republic - $200,000 bonus

Mariners: RHP Victor Sanchez, Venezuela - bonus not reported

Mariners: OF Gabriel Guerrero, Dominican Republic - $400,000 bonus - Vladimir Guerrero's nephew

Mets: C Jose Garcia, Venezuela - unconfirmed bonus, reportedly sandwich-round type money

Mets: RHP Luis Mateo, Dominican Republic - $150,000 bonus

Padres: C Jose Ruiz, Venezuela - $1.1 million bonus

Pirates: OF Harold Ramirez, Colombia - age 16 - $1.1 million bonus

Pirates: OF Elvis Escobar, Venezuela - $570,000 bonus

Pirates:C Chin-De Chang, Taiwan - $250,000 bonus

Pirates: LHP Wei-Chung Wang, Taiwan - failed physical, contract voided but eventually re-signed

Rangers: OF Nomar Mazara, Dominican Republic - age 16 - $5 million bonus - biggest amateur bonus ever

Rangers: OF Ronald Guzman, Dominican Republic - $3.5 million bonus

Rangers: LHP Yohander Mendez, Venezuela - $1.5 million bonus

Rangers: OF Eduard Pinto, Venezuela - $300,000 bonus

Rays: C Eric Otañez, Dominican Republic - no bonus reported

Red Sox: OF Manuel Marcos, Dominican Republic - $800,000 bonus

Red Sox: RHP Dioscar Romero, Dominican Republic - age 16 - $600,000 bonus

Reds: RHP Jonathan Perez, Venezuela - $825,000 bonus

Rockies: RHP Antonio Senzatela, Venezuela - no bonus reported

Royals: OF Elier Hernandez, Dominican Republic - $3.05 million bonus

Royals: SS Adalberto Mondesi, Dominican Republic - $2 million - Raul Mondesi's son

Tigers: 3B Adelin Santana, Dominican Republic - $750,000 bonus

Twins: RHP Miguel Gonzalez, Dominican Republic - $650,000 bonus

Twins: RHP Felix Jorge, Dominican Republic - $250,000 bonus

Twins: RHP Kuo-Hua Lo, Twins

Yankees: RHP Juan Carlos Paniagua, Dominican Republic - $1.1 million bonus

Yankees: 3B Miguel Andujar, Dominican Republic - $750,000 bonus

[wvcbxl]

A local source says that the Yankees signed Luc Roeland, a 17yr old LHP from Ettelbruck, Luxemburg.

 

ETA: this info turned out to be incorrect.

[Guest]

Bill (Michigan): Hey Ben nice chat, keep up the great work. Do scouts consider this July 2 Latin American class better than last year? You expect teams like the Yankees, Boston to be more active at the top? Thanks.

 

Ben Badler: It sounds like it's better than last year's class. The Yankees don't have a top 50 pick in the draft, so expect them to be even more aggressive than usual, which we've already seen with the Juan Carlos Paniagua signing. The Red Sox have taken a more reserved approach to the international market recently, but if they think a guy is worth the money, they'll pull the trigger.

[Guest]

The Cubs signed 27-year old Cuban middle infielder Rafael Valdes, who is now playing at extended spring training.

[Tryptamine]

The Cubs signed 27-year old Cuban middle infielder Rafael Valdes, who is now playing at extended spring training.

 

27? Kind of odd unless they think he'll be major league ready in the next year or two.

[davell]

They guy already gave us a collective heartattack earlier, but now that we don't have to draft him, let's sign that 23 year old Cuban dude.......He supposedly wants 15 mill.

[Tryptamine]

They guy already gave us a collective heartattack earlier, but now that we don't have to draft him, let's sign that 23 year old Cuban dude.......He supposedly wants 15 mill.

 

I'd be interested in him, but not for anywhere near 15 million.

[davell]

They guy already gave us a collective heartattack earlier, but now that we don't have to draft him, let's sign that 23 year old Cuban dude.......He supposedly wants 15 mill.

 

I'd be interested in him, but not for anywhere near 15 million.

 

Yeah, I would hope we'd get him cheaper than that, but a lefty who throws 95 and has a solid curve IS intriguing, just not as a draft pick. :D

[Guest]

The Pirates sign C Chin-De Chang and LHP Wei-Chung Wang and the Twins signed RHP Kuo-Hua Lo, all from Taiwan: link.

 

Wang is the younger brother of Cubs prospect Yao-Lin Wang.

[Guest]

BA has started their July 2nd preview: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2011/2611937.html

 

The Dominican Republic has several talented outfielders who should be in line for seven-figure bonuses, Venezuela has a host of promising pitchers and catchers, and both countries have solid depth of position players. Mexico and Colombia also have players who are expected to command bonuses around $1 million or more.

 

"I definitely think this year's class has more depth and better players out there than last July 2," said an American League international director. "More teams are going to focus on Latin America, there are more showcases, more agents and it's easier to see the players. It does sound like there's going to be money spent on July 2."

 

The bolded is great. Fewer players hidden, only doing certain BPs or side sessions. Now the scouts will have in-game experience and more chances to actually scout the kids than in recent years.

 

Ben Badler thinks the biggest spenders will likely be the Yankees, Mariners and maybe the Red Sox, along with recent big spenders like the Blue Jays, Rangers, Pirates and Reds. The Tigers might spend more than in years past since they didn't have a first rounder. Five of the biggest prospects were briefly mentioned. The Cubs aren't linked to any of them though the info on some of them is sparse:

 

OF Ronald Guzman, Dominican Republic - age 16 - Red Sox, Rangers, Blue Jays

OF Elier Hernandez, Dominican Republic - age 16 - Royals

OF Nomar Mazarra, Dominican Republic - has been showcased a lot and hasn't played live games; it's not clear what teams are in on him

SS/OF Wilmer Becerra, Venezuela - Cardinals, Twins, A's

RHP Roberto Osuna, Mexico - turns 16 on July 2 - nephew of former big leaguer Antonio Osuna; throws harder (88-94) and with a more advanced feel than Luis Heredia at the same age but at 6', 198 lbs, isn't as projectable as Heredia.

RHP Victor Sanchez, Venezuela - age 16 - 4-pitch repertoire including one of the better fastballs this year (89-94) and an advanced slider; some teams like him more as a hitter

[Guest]

Some more big names, all of whom should sign for 7 figures: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2011/2611948.html

 

Helsin Martinez, OF, Dominican Republic - age 16 - linked to the Mariners

Harold Ramirez, OF, Colombia - age 16 - Pirates

Jesus Gonzalez, OF, Venezuela - Blue Jays

Manuel Marcos, OF, Dominican Republic - age 16 - Yankees

Marck Malave, C, Venezuela - age 16 - Reds

Jose Ruiz, C, Venezuela - Padres

[Guest]

I certainly understand the theory of going for quantity in LA instead of spending big on guys like Sano. I have to admit to a certain amount of jealousy when I see the top players linked to everyone but the Cubs, though.

[Guest]

I certainly understand the theory of going for quantity in LA instead of spending big on guys like Sano. I have to admit to a certain amount of jealousy when I see the top players linked to everyone but the Cubs, though.

 

I agree. I did like seeing the Cubs get more aggressive with mid-6 figure bonuses last year and I love that the Cubs now have a reputation of doing well across the world (the Cubs gave the biggest bonus last year in South Korea and Italy). I would like to see them ink a 7-figure amateur once a year if they really are opening their wallets.

[davell]

After hearing we're spending much more on the draft and player development, in general, it's hard not to get excited and wonder what we may do in IFA(we also have had Wilken comment and say we'd be spending more here). I understand the strategy and I share the exact same sentiment: I wish we'd sign one big name guy anyway. And I'm probably even more greedy, because I want a Central American big name AND our typical Pac Rim signings as well.

 

I haven't heard anything at all about the Boras guy from South Korea, but I've always held out hope we're in on him. As far as Latin America goes though, I loved that we had 4 guys we gave at least 350,000 to last year and hope we at least follow it up this year with the same effort, if not more(spreading it out AND a big bonus guy too :D ). And considering how well all 4 of those guys appear to be doing, it's kind of hard not to think their strategy pays off better this way than spending 1.5 mill+ on a single guy and hoping for the best.......

 

I just hope we hear reports much earlier this year than last.......All we heard on or around July 2nd was Sanchez and they got his bonus wrong anyway.

[craig]

I was told that the Cubs brought in about a dozen international kids to Arizona when they were scouting for the draft. (The same viewing where Springer, Vogelbach, Tayler Scott, and Gretzky all participated.) They had about 40 kids in, but about a dozen were internationals, mostly DR but some from Korea. A whole army of scouts to watch and make recommendations.

 

I thought that was interesting, because I usually assume DR guys are scouted in DR and Koreans in Korea, and I usually assume these pre-draft things at Mesa are all draft prospects only.

 

I'd imagine you could assemble a pretty good crowd of talent, kind of like one of these HS showcase events I suppose.

[Guest]

I was told that the Cubs brought in about a dozen international kids to Arizona when they were scouting for the draft. (The same viewing where Springer, Vogelbach, Tayler Scott, and Gretzky all participated.) They had about 40 kids in, but about a dozen were internationals, mostly DR but some from Korea. A whole army of scouts to watch and make recommendations.

 

I thought that was interesting, because I usually assume DR guys are scouted in DR and Koreans in Korea, and I usually assume these pre-draft things at Mesa are all draft prospects only.

 

I'd imagine you could assemble a pretty good crowd of talent, kind of like one of these HS showcase events I suppose.

That's really interesting, actually. I wonder if this is something new - I haven't heard of the Cubs doing anything like that before.

[Guest]

I've heard of things like that in Dominican academies (the Yankees and Mariners are famous for doing that) but never in the U.S. A few Dominican kids play in the Perfect Game showcase but those kids either come from money or have buscones/agents who will pay for them to go to the U.S. and are willing to risk these kids actually playing games in front of scouts.

 

Very intriguing.

[Guest]

The top shortstops in Latin America this year: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2011/2611951.html

 

A lot are expected to change positions and it's thought to be a weaker SS crop than in years past.

 

Dawel Lugo, Dominican Republic - age 16 - might have to convert from SS - Blue Jays, Royals

Adalberto Mondesi, Dominican Republic - age 16 on July 27 - Raul Mondesi's son

Luis Reynoso, Dominican Republic - age 16 - might have to move to 2B - Yankees amongst many teams

Enrique Acosta, Dominican Republic - age 16 - definitely needs to move from SS

Raimer Flores, Dominican Republic - age 16

Dorssys Paulino, Dominican Republic - age 16 - son of former Cub Jesus Sanchez - projects better at 2B or 3B

Yairo Munoz, Dominican Republic - age 16 - Padres, Reds, Yankees

[Guest]

Ben Badler's Twitter:

 

Heard Cuban LHP Onelkis Garcia was 90-93 with a good slider on Saturday. Scout: "Top-round material. Not sure about 1st-rd, but we like him"

[Scotti]

I certainly understand the theory of going for quantity in LA instead of spending big on guys like Sano. I have to admit to a certain amount of jealousy when I see the top players linked to everyone but the Cubs, though.

 

I confess to the same but it disappears as soon as I remember how poorly big money DR kids do. Those guys just haven't been the best DR baseball players out there.

[Guest]

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.listindiario.com%2Fel-deporte%2F2011%2F3%2F17%2F181307%2FYankees-Cubs-y-Cardenales-invitan-4-prospectos-cubanos&act=url

 

Frank del Valle defected from Cuba before this year and has worked out for, amongst other teams, the Cubs.

[davell]

It definitely appears we've made Cuba a priority.

[craig]

Frank DelValle has signed with the Cubs, according to BA.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/06/minor-league-transactions-june-8-14/

 

In the note you linked, he looks to be the biggest of those four prospects in the picture (assuming the listed names are in order with the pictures players. But the translation article was kind of confusing, so maybe not even the caption is quite like I'd expect...)

 

Cal, do you know anything about him? Young, old? I know we've signed some Cubans, but Smelly Borges and this 27-year old Valdes (?) who's roster-filling at Daytona, these weren't actually meaningful major-league prospects.

 

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=es&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.listindiario.com%2Fel-deporte%2F2011%2F3%2F17%2F181307%2FYankees-Cubs-y-Cardenales-invitan-4-prospectos-cubanos&act=url

 

Frank del Valle defected from Cuba before this year and has worked out for, amongst other teams, the Cubs.

[Guest]

Frank del Valle is 21.

 

del Valle, 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds and born September 16, 1989, is a former member of the Cuban National Team. As a 15-16 year-old, he set the national season strikeout record and pitched a no-hitter. del Valle pitched in the 2006 “AAA" World Junior Baseball Championship and in the PanAmerican and pre-World Cup (IBAF AAA) competitions for 18-and-under players in 2007.

 

http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/91/917564.jpg

[Guest]

Other Venezuelan arms: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2011/2611959.html

 

RHP Mauricio Silva - turns 16 in late July

RHP Antonio Senzatela - linked to the Rockies

LHP Yohander Mendez - linked to the Rangers

RHP Soid Marquez

RHP Jonathan Perez

LHP Carlos Rodriguez

 

RHP Miguel Gonzalez, Dominican Republic

RHP Manuel Gonzalez, Dominican Republic