International Free Agency, 2019-2020

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The Cubs are linked to one of the top 10 prospects next year: Ronnier Quintero, C, Venezuela

 

Power hitting C with a strong arm. Ben Badler doesn’t provide bonus info for Venezuelans because of the danger these prospects are in.

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/top-2019-international-prospects-to-watch/

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BnH06e7HSWN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

[CubsWin]

Is he wearing a Cubs uniform in that video?

[Bear Cub]

It sure looks like a Cubs jersey.

[Brian]

I'm sure teams give away gear like candy

[Ding Dong Johnson]

The sleeve says 2003 world series.

[CubsWin]

The sleeve says 2003 world series.

Thats bleepin' hilarious.

 

And, ouch. (I was at the Bartman game..)

[CubsWin]

I'm sure teams give away gear like candy

Yeah, they'd be dumb not to. If that's not video from a Cubs workout, that's a good sign though...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I'm sure teams give away gear like candy

 

Correct.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Fangraphs provided a list of their 6 best prospects for 7/2/19. All 6 were in the exact same order as BA's top 10 list, but the player linked to the Cubs wasn't on there.

 

FG:

 

1. Jasson Dominguez, CF, Dominican Republic - Yankees - $5 million

2. Robert Puason, SS, Dominican Republic - A's - $5 million

3. Bayron Lora, LF, Dominican Republic - Rangers - $4 million

4. Erick Pena, RF, Dominican Republic - Royals - $3-$4 million

5. Luis Rodriguez, CF, Venezuela - Dodgers

6. Yhoswar Garcia, CF, Venezuela - Phillies

 

There are lots of notable, seven figure types beyond these six, but the consensus breaks up a bit, and we’ll wait to run down the whole class until signing day gets closer.

 

BA's 7-10:

 

Ronnier Quintero, C, Venezuela - Cubs

Ismeal Mena, OF, Dominican Republic - Padres - $2 million

Arol Vera, SS, Venezuela, Angels

Adael Amador, SS, Dominican Republic - Rockies - $1.5 million

 

Fangraphs is already looking at 2020 and 2021:

 

Names to Watch: 2020 and 2021 classes

As mentioned above, the 2020 class (eligible to sign on July 2, 2020) has dozens of players already locked up in deals, and the 2021 class has about 10 top players already locked up as well. We’ll obviously go into much less depth with these players because their positions are likely to change a lot over the next year and a half, but we will mention a couple of top talents in each class. For the 2020 class, there is little consensus on the top prospect, but the top tier appears to include Dominican center fielder Pedro Pineda, and Dominican shortstops Armando Cruz, Cristian Hernandez, and Hans Montero, as well as Venezuelan catcher Jesus Galiz, and Venezuelan shortstops Carlos Colmenarez and Willman Diaz. For 2021, clubs are obviously still sorting through the top talent, but Dominican shortstop Rodrick Arias is the consensus top prospect at this point, with differing opinions about the ten or so names in the mix behind him, which include Dominican right fielder Tony Blanco and outfielders Raimer Mateo and Ricardo Diaz, along with Venezuelan catcher Luis Meza, and Venezuelan shortstops William Bergolla, Diego Benitez, Ricardo Cabrera, and Javier Osoria.

[Regular Show]

I wonder about the prudence of basically committing your full IFA bonus pool for one premium prospect like in the alleged agreements of the NYY and A's with Dominguez and Puason, respectively.

 

You can always trade for more space/pool money I guess, but teams might not cooperate. I don't think I'd want the Cubs to pursue this strategy unless they have firm agreements to also acquire more pool money.

[CubsWin]

Badler has linked another top 20 IFA prospect to the Cubs, SS Kevin Made.

 

I don't have a BA subscription, but here's Michael Cerami's write up about it over at Bleacher Nation...

 

https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/02/14/cubs-already-tied-to-two-big-time-international-free-agent-prospects/https://www.bleachernation.com/2019/02/14/cubs-already-tied-to-two-big-time-international-free-agent-prospects/

[CubsWin]

I seem to remember another prospect with the last name of Made in the Cubs organization around 9 or 10 years ago.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Kevin Made is a Dominican SS with a wiry, athletic frame. Has shown good ability to hit in games despite being skinny and is expected to get a bonus that surpasses $1 million.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoW7xo_Hflb/?utm_source=ig_embed

 

Ben Badler also said the 2019 class is very talented and the market will be highly competitive because every team besides Atlanta is out of the penalty box.

[Bertz]

I wonder about the prudence of basically committing your full IFA bonus pool for one premium prospect like in the alleged agreements of the NYY and A's with Dominguez and Puason, respectively.

 

You can always trade for more space/pool money I guess, but teams might not cooperate. I don't think I'd want the Cubs to pursue this strategy unless they have firm agreements to also acquire more pool money.

 

Generally I agree, but sometimes it works, look at Vladito.

[Hrubes20]

Kevin Made is a Dominican SS with a wiry, athletic frame. Has shown good ability to hit in games despite being skinny and is expected to get a bonus that surpasses $1 million.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoW7xo_Hflb/?utm_source=ig_embed

 

Ben Badler also said the 2019 class is very talented and the market will be highly competitive because every team besides Atlanta is out of the penalty box.

 

This kid looks a crapton like a young Alfonso Soriano. Fun stuff.

 

Also, that Jasson Dominguez guy the Yankees are signing looks freaking ridiculous. Stupid Yankees.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Also, that Jasson Dominguez guy the Yankees are signing looks freaking ridiculous. Stupid Yankees.

 

Indeed. They already do well with the lesser heralded guys who suddenly are throwing 100, now they're getting in on the top prospect in the last half decade types.

[Regular Show]

Kevin Made is a Dominican SS with a wiry, athletic frame. Has shown good ability to hit in games despite being skinny and is expected to get a bonus that surpasses $1 million.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoW7xo_Hflb/?utm_source=ig_embed

 

Ben Badler also said the 2019 class is very talented and the market will be highly competitive because every team besides Atlanta is out of the penalty box.

 

This kid looks a crapton like a young Alfonso Soriano. Fun stuff.

 

Also, that Jasson Dominguez guy the Yankees are signing looks freaking ridiculous. Stupid Yankees.

 

Yeah, I see it too. Very projectable body. Good vibes watching this kid. Pretty happy with this agreement.

[Regular Show]

Also, that Jasson Dominguez guy the Yankees are signing looks freaking ridiculous. Stupid Yankees.

 

Indeed. They already do well with the lesser heralded guys who suddenly are throwing 100, now they're getting in on the top prospect in the last half decade types.

 

[tweet]

[/tweet]

Damn. I keep reading this about Jasson Dominguez.

[Regular Show]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[Regular Show]

From the latest K. McDaniel chat on Fangraphs:

 

TJ: Is Miami in on any of these Cuban guys?

 

Kiley McDaniel: So there’s J2 pool eligible Cubans that, last night, MLB and Cuba announced all 34 that are eligible to be signed. There’s some good ones in there, considering the talent base in Cuba is down across the board, but it’s almost all of the guys with MLB potential

 

Kiley McDaniel: Clubs are still confused about how this will work. There isn’t an event organized yet, but MLB is indicating they plan to have at least one event in Cuba for clubs to come down and evaluate the players

 

Kiley McDaniel: They’re all pool-eligible guys that aren’t 25+6 years of pro experience, so there aren’t any true FAs in this group. And there aren’t really any big name Cubans that would be free and clear FAs at this point.

 

Kiley McDaniel: Much of the 2019 J2 pools have been committed for months, but there’s some money left and MLB wanted to let teams know that these guys were going to be out there so they would save some money for it, but it’s not super clear when the events will be and all the various minor details that go along with signing the players

 

Hope the Cubs haven't committed the majority of their IFA pool money and have some available. It's going to be hard to accurately scout these guys since no one saw them in Cuba.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

3 expected Cubs are in the MLB Pipeline's top 30 2019-20 IFAs: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=int

 

6. Ronnier Quintero, C, Dominican Republic

11. Kevin Made, SS, Venezuela

30. Brayan Altuve, C, Venezuela

 

There are blurbs for each of those three in the link. There are also a few other prospects not linked to any teams yet.

[CubsWin]

3 expected Cubs are in the MLB Pipeline's top 30 2019-20 IFAs: http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=int

 

6. Ronnier Quintero, C, Dominican Republic

11. Kevin Made, SS, Venezuela

30. Brayan Altuve, C, Venezuela

 

There are blurbs for each of those three in the link. There are also a few other prospects not linked to any teams yet.

 

Altuve reminds some scouts of Cubs catcher Willson Contreras.

Sold.

[Hrubes20]

Quintero comes in at #6 and Made #8 on FG's IFA board. Altuve isn't in their top 40.

https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2019-international?sort=-1,1&type=0

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Quintero comes in at #6 and Made #8 on FG's IFA board. Altuve isn't in their top 40.

https://www.fangraphs.com/prospects/the-board/2019-international?sort=-1,1&type=0

 

That blurb on Jasson Dominguez and the 50 FV. Wow.

 

Here is Quintero:

 

There's been a seven-figure Venezuelan catcher near the top of every international class dating back through 2016, and Quintero is this year's model. He's a little less polished on defense than most of his predecessors but has a plus arm and mature, strength-driven power. He has everyday offensive ability if he can remain lithe and mobile enough to catch.

 

And Made:

 

Made is a familiar type, the pure projection shortstop with actions and contact skills that you can dream on.

[Regular Show]

[tweet]

[/tweet]

[tweet]

[/tweet]