International Free Agency Thread, 1/15/2021 Class

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ben Badler Cubs 2020-21 International Review: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2020-21-mlb-international-reviews-chicago-cubs/

 

Top Of The Class:

 

Cristian Hernandez, SS, Dominican Republic - Enormous offensive upside considered the best player available by many scouts. Excellent bat speed, performed well in games and has improved speed, athleticism and defense in the last year making it more likely he'll stay at SS.

Moises Ballesteros, C, Venezuela - good bat control/contact skills and plate discipline but needs to stay on top of his conditioning

 

Names To Know:

 

Daniel Ferreira, OF, Dominican Republic - good bat speed

Gabriel Agrazal, RHP, Panama - athletic strike-thrower in the mid-to-upper 80s who changes speeds well

Oferman Hernandez, OF, Dominican Republic - corner OFer with a chance to hit for power

Pedro Ramirez, SS, Venezuela - athletic SS with plus-plus speed

Raino Coran, OF, Curacao - athletic, physical OF

Kenneddy Delgado, RHP, Venezuela - mid-90s velocity

 

Sleeper Watch:

 

Joel Sierra, RHP, Dominican Republic - been up to 97

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[CaliforniaRaisin]

 

I know it's dumb to get excited, but a giant 18 YO Cuban lefty already hitting 94 is automatically a prospect and good add for this org regardless of outcome. I feel like it's been a hot minute, current lingo, since the Cubs were able to actually sign a Cuban player, granted the country had a little lull after so many players left early last decade

 

I think the lull is ending now. The top IFA bonus this year was a Cuban and next January, 4 of the top 6 bonuses will go to Cubans - but all of these kids are under 18 at signing date and not particularly close to the bigs.

[CubsWin]

Okay, let me get this straight. The Cubs just signed an 18-year-old, 6'4" lefty who is good enough to start out at Low-A Myrtle Beach, is hitting 94 on his FB and already shows a good breaking ball, AND they signed him for only $10,000?!?

 

The description doesn't match the bonus, so what am I to think? Is he really raw? If so, why is he expected to start in A ball? Did no other teams know about this guy and that's why they got him for $10,000?

 

I'm intrigued, impressed and confused all at the same time...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Okay, let me get this straight. The Cubs just signed an 18-year-old, 6'4" lefty who is good enough to start out at Low-A Myrtle Beach, is hitting 94 on his FB and already shows a good breaking ball, AND they signed him for only $10,000?!?

 

The description doesn't match the bonus, so what am I to think? Is he really raw? If so, why is he expected to start in A ball? Did no other teams know about this guy and that's why they got him for $10,000?

 

I'm intrigued, impressed and confused all at the same time...

 

I'll believe the assignment to A-ball when I see it. In my experience, outsiders/agents rarely land on the correct assignment for year 1.

[craig]

Agree, unfortunately the bonus is the best indicator or prospect-hood. When is the last time the Cubs have signed a guy for ≤$50K who's ended up becoming a serious prospect? Probably somebody I'm forgetting, I'm not sure how much Manuel Rodriguez got, for example. A generation ago Juan Cruz in the 90's was a low-price sign? But usually when a guy signs for a teensy bonus, there's reason.

[craig]

...Adbert Alzolay signed for $10,000 at 18..

 

Thanks! I'll want to remember that for every low-cash signing. Always possible....

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Agree, unfortunately the bonus is the best indicator or prospect-hood. When is the last time the Cubs have signed a guy for ≤$50K who's ended up becoming a serious prospect? Probably somebody I'm forgetting, I'm not sure how much Manuel Rodriguez got, for example. A generation ago Juan Cruz in the 90's was a low-price sign? But usually when a guy signs for a teensy bonus, there's reason.

 

Adbert Alzolay signed for $10,000 at 18

 

I don’t disagree with your point, I’m just glad the Cubs are in for this next wave of young Cubans, but also mostly only care about bonus size at the top of the class. Someone signing months after the date isn’t going to sign for much too

 

Starlin Castro was another <$50k at $45k.

 

If there’s a demographic where bonus isn’t everything, it’s Cuban prospects below the mid-6 figure tier. They tend to sign for smaller bonuses more frequently because they surface throughout the year including now - when teams are out of money - and don’t have the talent to leverage and wait till next year for more pool money (the Dodgers and Padres seem particularly good at acquiring this type of player).

 

All that said, I’m with you guys. Odds are he’s not a real prospect.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

[Named After Maddux]

Of that is not the comp I wanted to see

 

 

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[We Got The Whole 9]

Does swing it like Sogard

[CubsWin]

At age 22, Prieto is still subject to IFA signing rules, right? Or because he's a Cuban defector is he exempt?

[Hrubes20]

At age 22, Prieto is still subject to IFA signing rules, right? Or because he's a Cuban defector is he exempt?

 

I don't think the defection status should affect anything, right?