2011 International FA Market

[Guest]

They're a bit more stealth than others down there. Have to be pleased with what they got last year @BenBadler Fantastic read but I'm getting a bit disappointed - 4 stories and the Cubs are linked to no one!

[craig]

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

 

I might be crazy.

But from the pictures, it certainly looks like del Valle is certainly the guy on the left, as the caption suggests. Either those other guys are really short and dinky, or else it looks to me like del Valle seems both taller and heavier than any of them. Not sure he looks like 165 pounds in that picture....

 

http://images3.listindiario.com/image/article/263/460x390/0/581FD689-C0C1-4926-A487-97431E9532DB.jpeg

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

[questionmarkgrace]

It definitely appears we've made Cuba a priority.

 

 

ok now lets go get yusineski gorrell. if that guy is ever convinced to leave cuba he will be a legit star.

[imb]

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

 

I might be crazy.

But from the pictures, it certainly looks like del Valle is certainly the guy on the left, as the caption suggests. Either those other guys are really short and dinky, or else it looks to me like del Valle seems both taller and heavier than any of them. Not sure he looks like 165 pounds in that picture....

 

http://images3.listindiario.com/image/article/263/460x390/0/581FD689-C0C1-4926-A487-97431E9532DB.jpeg

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

 

Definitely him in the bottom left, and if he's 165 then im about 115

[Guest]

More OF names, the Cubs aren't linked to any of them: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/international-affairs/2011/2611977.html

[Guest]

Here we go:

 

Baseball America[/url]"]The two top-paid catchers in Latin America this year are expected to be a pair of Venezuelans: Jose Ruiz and Marck Malave. Ruiz, who has been tied to the Padres, has a projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, is an advanced defensive catcher and has shown projectable raw power. There is debate among scouts about his bat, but most scouts have said his hitting will need time to catch up to his defense. Malave's thicker frame doesn't have as much projection as Ruiz's, but he is a switch-hitting catcher with a strong arm. Malave had been linked to the Reds for much of the spring, but international sources more recently have connected the Cubs to Malave.

[davell]

Raisin, did that come from a Badler article? I saw something on Twitter from him mentioning the Yankees, Mets, and Cubs possible July 2nd targets, but it was premium.

[Guest]

Raisin, did that come from a Badler article? I saw something on Twitter from him mentioning the Yankees, Mets, and Cubs possible July 2nd targets, but it was premium.

 

Yeah, that's the article Badler linked on Twitter. That was the only excerpt regarding the Cubs.

[Guest]

From Ben Badler's team-by-team preview for July 2nd:

 

Baseball America[/url]"]HIGH ROLLERS

These teams should have the biggest international budgets this year. The High Rollers section is more crowded than usual this year, with 10 teams that have a good chance at handing out at least one seven-figure bonus.

 

Chicago Cubs: We'll have to wait a decade to know how well each team did with its 2010 international signings, but the early returns for the Cubs have been outstanding. Dominican third baseman Jeimer Candelario is playing like an MVP candidate in the Dominican Summer League, Venezuelan shortstop Carlos Penalver has an OBP over .400 in the DSL and Venezuelan outfielder Jeffrey Baez is among the DSL leaders in hits, stolen bases and runs. This year the Cubs' target appears to be Marck Malave, a switch-hitting catcher from Venezuela, and they'll likely be active for other Latin and Pacific Rim players as usual. They have also been linked to Dominican catcher Eric Otanez, and with two DSL teams and a Rookie-level Arizona club, they would have the roster space to pull it off.

 

BA also has a list of the top 40 prospects by expected signing bonus. Here are the Cubs' targets from that link:

 

Baseball America[/url]"]8. MARCK MALAVE, C

VENEZUELA

B-T: B-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 200

Malave drew widespread notice in October 2008, when he was the youngest player on Venezuela's 14-and-under-team as a 13-year-old along at the COPABE Pan American championship, where he was teammates with righthander Victor Sanchez and 2010 signings Adonys Cardona (Blue Jays) and Rougned Odor (Rangers). Malave batted .467 (7-for-15) with a homer, two doubles and a walk in the tournament, spending time as a catcher and an infielder. Now 16, Malave trains with Ciro Barrios as a full-time catcher.

 

Malave's arm might be his best tool. He has a short arm stroke and delivers plus throws consistently with great carry. Scouts who like Malave see him as a catcher who can hit from both sides of the plate, but not everyone is sold on his bat. He's a better hitter from the right side, with questions about his bat speed from both sides of the plate, as the ball jumps off his bat due to his strength rather than his bat speed. He'll have to make mechanical adjustments in pro ball. Malave is strong, but his thick, boxy body raises questions about his projection and isn't the athletic frame that many scouts look for in young catchers. His below-average speed wouldn't an issue as a catcher, but his lack of athleticism and experience are evident in his receiving, so he's not a lock to stick behind the plate. Malave was connected to the Reds, who have signed a slew of Barrios' players, but now most international sources believe Malave will end up with the Cubs.

 

36. ERIC OTANEZ, C

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-2 Wt.: 195

Venezuela and Puerto Rico have been a strong source of catching talent over the years, while the Dominican Republic hasn't produced the same level of quality backstops. Gary Sanchez with the Yankees and Wilin Rosario with the Rockies might help change that, but even Indians catcher Carlos Santana began his career as a third baseman with the Dodgers. Otanez stands out among Dominican catchers for his tools and aptitude this year, as he's a 16-year-old who's set to graduate from high school. He has shown good tools behind the plate since he started catching a year and a half ago. He has a strong arm and gets rid of the ball quickly on throws to second. His defensive tools are ahead of his bat, but he could be a solid hitter and has shown the ability to leave the yard in batting practice. The Cubs, Blue Jays and Astros have been linked to Otanez.

 

FYI, the Cubs have never given a bonus over $1 million to a Latin American amateur. Sounds like that might end this year if they get Malave.

[Rob]

Also from Ben Badler:

 

Thanks, Raisin Man RT @RaisinMan101 Fantastic work!!

[Guest]

Also from Ben Badler:

 

Thanks, Raisin Man RT @RaisinMan101 Fantastic work!!

 

Haha, I've found thanking those media guys a lot makes them more responsive when I do have questions.

[Guest]

• Royals sign Dominican OF Elier Hernandez for $3.05 million: link.
  
• Mariners sign Dominican OF Helsin Martinez for $2 million: link.
  
• Pirates sign Colombian OF Harold Ramirez for $1.05 million: link.
  
• Tigers sign Dominican 3B Adelin Santana for $750,000: link.

[Outshined_One]

#Rangers signed Dominican prospect Nomar Mazara on Saturday for a record $5 million bonus, report ESPNdeportes.com

 

That beats the record held by Michael Ynoa, who got a little over $4m.

[Guest]

#Rangers signed Dominican prospect Nomar Mazara on Saturday for a record $5 million bonus, report ESPNdeportes.com

 

That beats the record held by Michael Ynoa, who got a little over $4m.

 

That's crazy. No one seems to consider him the #1 Latin American prospect (heck, he seems to continuously be rated behind Elier Hernandez and Ronald Guzman). BA had him as likely to get the 10th highest bonus in LA but said there were crazy rumors swirling about him.

[davell]

Cubs sign Enrique Acosta for 1.1 mill. First Latin American signing over a mill for us. :yahoo:

[CUBZ99]

Cubs sign Enrique Acosta for 1.1 mill. First Latin American signing over a mill for us. :yahoo:

 

 

Besides being a 16 yr old SS that won't stick at SS, what is the scouting report on this kid?

[Guest]

Baseball America[/url]"]The Cubs have signed Dominican shortstop Enrique Acosta for $1.1 million.

 

Acosta, 16, is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound righthanded hitter who is considered to have one of the top bats this year in Latin America, though he'll likely move off the position, either to a corner outfield spot or possibly third base.

 

He was predicted to get the 9th highest bonus in Latin America this year:

 

9. LUIS ENRIQUE ACOSTA, SS

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

B-T: R-R Ht.: 6-1 Wt.: 180

Acosta, who is represented by Rob Plummer, has one of the best bats in the Dominican Republic. Acosta, 16, has a short load and gets his hands started easily with a clean, efficient swing and good bat speed. He has a good approach to hitting for his age and uses the whole field. Some scouts say his swing is shorter than Ronald Guzman's and Elier Hernandez's and that he has more power as well. He gets good extension and the ball jumps off his bat. He could have more pop once he learns to incorporate his lower half into his swing. He does have a tendency to open his hips early, leaving him susceptible to breaking balls. Acosta's speed, range, hands, arm and accuracy will force a position switch. Some scouts think Acosta has an outside chance to handle third base, though many believe he's a corner outfielder.

 

The scouting consensus is that 6-foot-1, 180-pound Enrique Acosta will have to move off shortstop, but the 16-year-old has one of the more promising bats in the Dominican Republic. Scouts are split on what they like the most about Acosta's offensive game. Some say he has a clean swing with a good approach, while others are drawn more to the way the ball jumps off his bat. He has a quick swing and uses the whole field. His defense needs refinement. He might be able to handle third base, but most scouts see him as a corner outfielder.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Good to see em spend some dough. Hope they continue doing it with the draft picks.

[davell]

Bigtime upside bat that profiles on a corner spot most likely? Awesome. I love the way we've adressed the lack of power within the organization with the draft and now July 2nd as well. If it's not tooooooooo much to ask, I'd still love to see us nab that catcher somehow. :D Or spread out some cash over a couple of guys like normal. Bottom line though is this: It's great to see us sign one of the high profile guys on July 2nd.

[Guest]

• Padres sign Venezuelan C Jose Ruiz for $1.1 million: link.
  
• Cardinals sign Colombian LHP Dewin Peres for $450,000: link.
  
• Cardinals sign Venezuelan C Jose Godoy for $200,000: link.
  
• Met sign Venezuelan C Jose Garcia, no bonus terms released: link.
  
• Indians sign Dominican SS Dorssys Paulino for $1.1 million: link.
  
• Rangers sign Dominican OF Ronald Guzman for $3.5 million: link.
  
• Twins sign Dominican RHP Miguel Gonzalez for $650,000: link.
  
• Rangers sign Dominican OF Nomar Mazara to possible record-breaking deal of $5 million: link.
  
• Braves sign Panaman OF Iosif Bernal for $230,000: link.
  
• Astros sign Venezuelan SS Arturo Michelena for $220,000: link.
  
• Indians sign OF Francisco Miguel for $200,000: link.

 

Also from Ben Badler:

 

ESPN also reported that the Rangers will likely sign Dominican righthander Pedro Payano, who like Mazara is also represented by Ivan Noboa, for a bonus of $500,000-$600,000.

 

Won't be any news on Adalberto Mondesi, Mauricio Silva or Carlos Tocci today. They're still 15, can sign on 16th birthdays.

[craig]

Man, Texas is all in down there. Amazing.

 

Cubs in past have been faulted for focusing on pitchers, runners, and would-be defenders at the expense of bats and powers.

 

What a difference this month has been. Baez, Vogelbach, now Acosta.

 

Candelerio. Golden. Flaherty. Gretzky. The 8th or 9th rounder from near St. Louis. Vitters. Lemahieu.

 

One certainly can no longer complain under Wilken that they aren't even trying for real bats, power bats, possible middle-of-the-order bats. We'll see if any of these ever work out.

 

But the last guy who was originally signed by the Cubs who started more than 100 games in the 3-4-5 middle of the order spots was Mark Grace. They obviously hope to change that with all of the might-hit-with-power guys they've gone after lately.

[Guest]

Man, Texas is all in down there. Amazing.

 

I know. I'm jealous, they've gone nuts the past few years in Latin America. Kevin Goldstein on Twitter:

 

At this point, I'm just waiting to read that the #Rangers have purchased the island of Hispaniola.

[davell]

This was evidently from yesterday, so who knows?

 

 

 

Translation: Marck Malave signed for 7 digits by the Cubs, highlighting his offensive potential, because he can hit for power with both hands.

 

 

I'm sure quite a few signings leak out and all, so this would be GREAT, if it winds up being true.

[CUBZ99]

This was evidently from yesterday, so who knows?

 

 

 

Translation: Marck Malave signed for 7 digits by the Cubs, highlighting his offensive potential, because he can hit for power with both hands.

 

 

I'm sure quite a few signings leak out and all, so this would be GREAT, if it winds up being true.

 

Somebody from BCB was also saying that Malave signed with the Cubs. Guess we will have to await the official word.

[Rob]

Malave and Acosta would be a pretty nice haul.