2012 International scouting and Red Sox signing

[scaffolds]

July second (first day of the early phase of International scouting) is about 6 months away, but is never to early talk who are the top players who will be signing at that time and for the time being this is a list of the top Venezuelans prospects.

01- Luis Torrens 3B
02- Adrian Navas RHP
03- Luis Guzman LHP
04- Samir Duenez SS
05- Luis Bandes OF
06- Franklin Barreto 3B/OF
07- Henry Gonzalez RHP
08- Dedgar Jimenez LHP
09- Jesus Bastos LHP
10- Rainis Silva C
11- Jose Ordaz OF
12- Angelo Centeno SS/3B
13- Onil Perdomo RHP
14- Jorge Espinoza SS
15- Antonio Tovar 1B/OF
16- Gleyber Torrez OF
17- Rony Cabrera OF
18- Luis Bendeles SS
19- Jose Uviedo RHP
20- Yohandry Montilla RHP
21- Francisco Roman OF
22- Adrian Navas RHP
23- David Rodriguez C
24- Jose Ugueto SS
25- Orlando Mosquera RHP
26- Raymond Solarte OF
*- Jorge Gil OF
*- Harold Morales OF
*- Alexander Palma OF
*- Horacio Arcas OF
*- Carlos Arroyo OF
*- Junnel Ledezman SS
*- Melvin Novoa Catcher
*- Oscar Lizandro catcher
*- Oscar Balladares RHP
*- Ino Laguna RHP
*- Gabriel Noguera LHP
*- Jose Lopez P
*- Anderson Guarate catcher
*- Daniel Echenique catcher
*- Eduardo Lezama SS
*- Abraham Gavidia SS
*- Anthony Meza OF
*- Luis Isquierdo OF
*- Luis Castro SS
*- Jose Castillo LHP
*- Jose Mujica RHP

* Names added to the original list.

[Therwil Flyer]

Talking about the 2012-2013 international signing period, one should keep in mind that under the new CBA there will be a spending cap of $2.9m per team. Teams that go over that limit are fined a 100% tax on any dollar spent above the threshold and not be allowed to sign an international player for more than$0.25m the following year.

Any international player signed before July, 2nd 2012 does not fall under the new CBA (i.e. Cespedes, Soler etc. can be signed for whatever contract a team is willing to give out).

[scaffolds]

The top Dominican prospects for the 2012 July signing period are:

Short Stops:

Yan Carlos Baez
Frandi De La Rosa
Angel Moreno
Francis Peguero
Felix Sanchez
Grafi Cruz-Martinez
Wandel Rijo
Elvis Perez
Octavis Lugo
Yunior Deleon
Rawi Barrios
Vicson Graciano
Amauri Miniel
Darlin Mota
Elia Soler
Richar Urena*
Edmundo Sosa*
Dennis Santana*
Edrian Borsen*
Martin Dominguez*
Jose Torrez*
Jean Carlos Angomas*#


Third base:

Luis Castillo
Kelvin Esteves
Alberto Sanchez
Joaquin De La Cruz
Natanel Javier
Neivi Pilier
Leury Vargas
Jose lara
Julio Almonte*
Johan Herrera*#^
Juan Carlos Arias*

Outfielders:

Rafael Santana
Natanel Delgado
Luis Barrera
Gustavo Cabrera
Ronny Carbajal
Jose Pujols
Nelson Alvarez
Darryl Florentino
Yairos Veras
Derian De Los Santos
Johnny Rodriguez*
Miguel Munoz *
Luis Guzman*
Michael Medina*
Cristian Peguero*
Ruber Castro*
Michael De La Cruz*
Lose De La Cruz*
Lenon Herrera*#
Manuel Sanchez*#
Orlando Pasqual*#
Luis Payano*
Elias Arias*
Euri Minaya


First baseman:

Leury Vargas*
Emmanuel Tapia*
Luis Montero*


Catchers:

Deivi Grillon
Angel Battista
Oliver Toribio*
Joel Gonzalez*
Yeuris Felipe*
Joan Carrasquel*
Randy Vasquez*
Miguel Guzman*#

Pitchers:

Staylin Tejada
Michael Arias
Crucito Mieses
Geremia Espinoza
Jose Mateo
Winder Novas
Patterson Seguras
Edwin Ferreira*
Alvaro Castillo*
Jean Carlos Mejias*
Alberto Uceta*
Bienvenido Morales* (LHP)
Jesus Brea RHP*
Issac Moncion RHP*
Daniel Ridriguez LHP*#
Juan Segura RHP*#
Anthony Bazora LHP*#
Moises Facha RHP*#
Junior Garcia RHP*#
Dalice Brailor Lorenzo RHP*#
Edward Perez*
Luis Valdez*

*Names added to the original list.
# Player will be 17 yrs at July second signing period
^ Player made this list in 2011

[Therwil Flyer]

Hey, Scaff, who do you think are the most interesting players to follow (say, your personal top 10)? And what do you think will the effect of the new CBA rules be on the international draft?

[scaffolds]

Hey, Scaff, who do you think are the most interesting players to follow (say, your personal top 10)? And what do you think will the effect of the new CBA rules be on the international draft?

Well is still early to make a list, but the Venezuelan list is in the order that i rank them, as for the Dominican prospects I like thethe third basemans Castillo, Esteves and Sanchez, the catcher Grillon and the short stop Baez, there isn't (yet) in the Dominican that i am really high on.

As far how the new the new CBA rules will affect the International signing no one knows for sure, but i can tell you no one likes it. It will be interesting to see how organizations (specially the Red Sox) handles (take more chances in signings) before July second date.

[scaffolds]

Talking about the 2012-2013 international signing period, one should keep in mind that under the new CBA there will be a spending cap of $2.9m per team. Teams that go over that limit are fined a 100% tax on any dollar spent above the threshold and not be allowed to sign an international player for more than$0.25m the following year.

Any international player signed before July, 2nd 2012 does not fall under the new CBA (i.e. Cespedes, Soler etc. can be signed for whatever contract a team is willing to give out).

According to International scouts the Sox aren't going to big time players in the Cespedes chasing, however they could be in the Soler and 19 yrs LHP Omar Luis.

[Richard]

Talking about the 2012-2013 international signing period, one should keep in mind that under the new CBA there will be a spending cap of $2.9m per team. Teams that go over that limit are fined a 100% tax on any dollar spent above the threshold and not be allowed to sign an international player for more than$0.25m the following year.

Any international player signed before July, 2nd 2012 does not fall under the new CBA (i.e. Cespedes, Soler etc. can be signed for whatever contract a team is willing to give out).

Will these rules (2.9m per team) hurt international Latin baseball?

[scaffolds]

Will these rules (2.9m per team) hurt international Latin baseball?

Without a doubt it will.

[scaffolds]

The DPL is reporting that the Royals have signed Dominican Sandy Garces. Garces 6-1 175 and 17 yrs have been a outfielder with a very strong arm until 2011 when was switched to mound. As a pitcher Garces has showed a 87-91 fastball.

[scaffolds]

The DPL is reporting that the Mariners have signed Dominican Oliver Ascencio. Ascencio who will be 19 yrs in the next few day is 6-3 175, a light hitting outfielder until recently now a LHP with a fastball in the 88-92. Ascencio is often compare to Red Sox farmhand Francisco Taveras.

[scaffolds]

According to the DPL the Astros have signed Dominican RHP Tomas Lopez for a $70,000 bonus. Lopez has a fastball in the 90-92 range.

[scaffolds]

In one of the last post in the 2011 International scouting and signing thread I mentioned that baseball in Puerto Rico is making a come back and 2012 is a sign of that as it has a very good good of prospects for the MLB draft. A group headed by Short stop Carlos Correa who has the possibility of getting drafted in the first round, short stop Jesmuel Valentin Diaz and RHP Edwin Diaz. Diaz and Valentin Diaz are considered among the top 50 H.S.for the 2012 class, is very projectable with a easy arm with a fastball in the 93 range that reaches 95.

Other of notes:

Malcon Diaz RHP 6-3 177 with a fastball that tops at 93
Jose Berrios RHP 6-1 185 with a fastball that tops at 93
Joe Alexander Jimenez RHP 6-3 220 with a fastball that tops out at 92.
Roberto Garcia RHP 6-3 180 with a fastball at 91
Jose Diaz LHP 6-2 180 with a fastball at 90
Jesus Vasquez RHP 6-1 200 with a fastball at 88
Kristian Britto RHP/1B 6-5 210
Rey Perez RHP/SS
Wilfredo Rodriguez C
Bryan De La Rosa C
Christian Munoz C/1B
Jorge Fernandez C
Jose Ortiz C
Tomas Nido C
Janius Castro 2B
Ariel Estades OF
Ismael Sanchez SS
Angel Ortega SS

This group of Puerto Rican prospects are considered perhaps the strongest one since Puerto Rico became part of the MLB draft with 8 of them perhaps going in the top 3 rounds, 12 among the top sixth round and 20 among the top 10 round. The group is considered very strong among catchers (top area in this draft for catchers) strong among pitchers and middle infielders and weak in the outfield.

[AZBlue]

Without a doubt it will.

[Originally Posted by Richard--Will these rules (2.9m per team) hurt international Latin baseball?]

Will it? How will the new cap on spending make things much different than they were about 10 years ago? Would a return to the signing bonuses 10 years ago really be that negative?

[scaffolds]

[Originally Posted by Richard--Will these rules (2.9m per team) hurt international Latin baseball?]

Will it? How are the new cap on spending make things much different than they were about 10 years ago? Would a return to the signing bonuses 10 years ago really be that negative?

Well, let me put it this way the players in these poor countries will be there, they won't be able to make anywhere close this kind of money doing anything else, but the good trainers who have been developing these players and have made very good money threw the last few years might not, also the agents who have been show casing these players for MLB will be forced to cut back. So the new rules will affect International scouting what needs to be seen is how much.

[Richard]

In one of the last post in the 2011 International scouting and signing thread I mentioned that baseball in Puerto Rico is making a come back and 2012 is a sign of that as it has a very good good of prospects for the MLB draft. A group headed by Short stop Carlos Correa who has the possibility of getting drafted in the first round and RHP Edwin Diaz. Diaz is considered among the top 50 H.S.for the 2012 class, is very projectable with a easy arm with a fastball in the 93 range that reaches 95.

Other of notes:

Malcon Diaz RHP 6-3 177 with a fastball that tops at 93
Jose Berrios RHP 6-1 185 with a fastball that tops at 93
Joe Alexander Jimenez RHP 6-3 220 with a fastball that tops out at 92.
Roberto Garcia RHP 6-3 180 with a fastball at 91
Jose Diaz LHP 6-2 180 with a fastball at 90
Jesus Vasquez RHP 6-1 200 with a fastball at 88
Kristian Britto RHP/1B
Wilfredo Rodriguez C
Bryan De La Rosa C
Christia Munoz C/1B

Also, Baez and Lindor (first rounders) are Puerto Rican and Eddie Rosario who is an excellent prospect for the Twins.

[scaffolds]

Also, Baez and Lindor (first rounders) are Puerto Rican and Eddie Rosario who is an excellent prospect for the Twins.

Yes Lindor and Baez where first rounders in 2011.

[scaffolds]

Baseball America is reporting that the White Sox have signed Venezuelan RHP Luis Martinez. Martinez who will turn 17 yrs at the end of January is 6-4 195 and signed for a $250,000 signing bonus was throwing his fastball in the mid 80's range in the early phase of the International signing period, however had increased to 89-91 by the end of 2011.

[scaffolds]

According to reports by Baseball America the Twins have signed Venezuelan RHP Mauricio Silva for a $325,000 signing bonus. Silva 16 yrs and 6-2 190 was ranked as the third best pitcher (only behind Victor Sanchez and Jonathan Perez) at the July second 2011 date, throws a high 80's to low 90's fastball.

[scaffolds]

Venezuelan Derik Capetillo didn't turn 16 yrs until late in the early phase of International signing period, considered in the second tier of Venezuelan catchers back of them, but with good size (6-0 200) and had good power projection, but hasn't signed a profesional contract, however Capetillo show up in Ft Myers at a PG Crosschecher show casing in January as a Pitcher with a fastball in the 87 range.

[scaffolds]

According to International scouts the Red Sox are going to be a finalist for Cespedes sweep stakes. Its believed that Cespedes handlers will be asking for a 8 yrs/ 65 Millions contract.

[Therwil Flyer]

hey Scaff, I was wondering how many changes the Red Sox' Latin American scouting department has seen and what you think about them or what further changes should be made.

When I look at the Yankees top prespects, I see Montero (signed for 2m), Gary Sanchez (3m), Many Banuelos (450k), and even Hector Noesi, who helped bring them Pineda (and Campos).
In the meantime, the Sox' biggest acquisition from LA is a bit of a question mark (Iglesias, signed for 6m). Of course, they also got Bogaerts, which some evaluators see as our top prospect (and they also got Doubront, Pimentel and Tejeda, who are decent prospects).
But obviously the Yankees' LA scouting has prosuced a lot better! And other teams have easily outproduced the Sox in that regard too (e.g. the Rangers with Profar, Perez, Martin, Odor etc).

I'm aware that, as with any prospect, how prospects in the international market turn out has a lot to do with luck (some pan out and others don't). And if I remember correctly the Sox were in heavy on Montero who chose to sign with the Yanks instead. But clearly, the Sox have to do better in LA!

[scaffolds]

hey Scaff, I was wondering how many changes the Red Sox' Latin American scouting department has seen and what you think about them or what further changes should be made.

When I look at the Yankees top prespects, I see Montero (signed for 2m), Gary Sanchez (3m), Many Banuelos (450k), and even Hector Noesi, who helped bring them Pineda (and Campos).
In the meantime, the Sox' biggest acquisition from LA is a bit of a question mark (Iglesias, signed for 6m). Of course, they also got Bogaerts, which some evaluators see as our top prospect (and they also got Doubront, Pimentel and Tejeda, who are decent prospects).
But obviously the Yankees' LA scouting has prosuced a lot better! And other teams have easily outproduced the Sox in that regard too (e.g. the Rangers with Profar, Perez, Martin, Odor etc).

I'm aware that, as with any prospect, how prospects in the international market turn out has a lot to do with luck (some pan out and others don't). And if I remember correctly the Sox were in heavy on Montero who chose to sign with the Yanks instead. But clearly, the Sox have to do better in LA!

There has been only minor changes only, but of course everything takes time. There aren't any questions that the Red Sox Latin America scouting hasn't been to par with the Yankees, Rangers, Seatle and even with Toronto lately, but there is more to it than that, the Red Sox has traded high ceiling Latin players early in their development, I am talking about players like Mendez. Beltre, Francisco, Socolovitch and now Alcantara they have to be more patient with them.

[scaffolds]

It was believed that Panamanians Carlos Bermudez (RHP) and Pablo Urena (Catcher) where going to be available at July second 2011 date, however that wasn't the case and they won't be available until July 2012. Bermudez at 6-7 205 is a very projectable high ceiling who was throwing 85 early in 2011. Middle infielder Hector De la Cruz and first baseman Antonio Franco are also Panamanians to follow for the 2012 July second date.

[scaffolds]

The Dominican Prospect League is reporting that that Toronto have signed 16 yrs Dominican short stop Ronniel Demorizi. Demorizi 6-0 170 switch hitter signed for $105,000 bonus.

[Richard]

It was believed that Panamanians Carlos Bermudez (RHP) and Pablo Urena (Catcher) where going to be available at July second 2011 date, however that wasn't the case and they won't be available until July 2012. Bermudez at 6-7 205 is a very projectable high ceiling who was throwing 85 early in 2011. Middle infielder Hector De la Cruz and first baseman Antonio Franco are also Panamanians to follow for the 2012 July second date.

Do you know why they were not available for 2011?