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2011 MLB International Signings and Talent

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Note:I wrote this for MLB Bonus Baby in November. It's already outdated due to some signings but it will give you a good look at what happened in the last year in the international market, as some of you requested in the suggestions thread.

The international market is complicated and it isn't getting easier. With the turmoil in Venezuela and fraud in the Dominican and other countries, it truly is a gamble. The thing is, it's worth the gamble. It is like buying a lottery ticket, often an expensive one but the payoff is huge with some of them.

The top two on the list are two of the best players in the world that are not under control of a MLB team. After that I rated, what I feel, are the best 20 free agents for the 2011 season. Some are still unsigned though, so they may actually be 2012 signings. Like I said, it’s complicated.


This is also all the signings I have to date as well as the rest of the available free agents I am aware of.


Yu Darvish P Nippon-Ham Fighters

Bats, Throws: R R

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Japan

Scouting Report: Darvish is not a free agent and isn't even guaranteed to come stateside. He has to go through the posting process to come the the majors. He has a deep arsenal with great poise and great command. He is likely a #2 pitcher in the majors and is worth as much as Matsuzaka was paid, what seems ages ago now. We will see soon if he comes over and who gets him.



Yoennis Cespedes OF IFA

Bats, Throws: R R

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Cuba

Scouting Report: Cespedes has his own viral video already. He was the starter on the same team ahead of Leonys Martin, who was in a bench role. That speaks to his talent. He is young, athletic and strong and could command $40-60 million dollars in his free agent deal.



1 Leonys Martin , OF , TEX

Bats, Throws: L , R

Height, Weight: 6-1 , 180

Bonus, Country: 5 yr, 15.5 Million , Cuba

Scouting Report: Martin is not a power hitter or an all star, but he is a good bet to be a starting CF at the top of the lineup for a good team. He is a very good pickup by the most aggressive team in the international market, the Rangers.


2 Ronald Guzman , OF , TEX

Bats, Throws: L , L

Height, Weight: 6-4 , 195

Bonus, Country: $3,000,000 , Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Guzman has received a lot of hype this year and received a large signing bonus. While I am not a professional scout, I see two things immediately. This kid is huge and make get too bit. The second is amazing wrists. He has a long, slow swing but explosive wrists that can generate enormous power. He has an average arm with a slow release when he throws. He isn't overly fast but isn't a base clogger. He makes good contact and should hit for average. He could be a legitimate first tier starter in LF in the majors if everything works out. If the contact ability isn't there and his power doesn't translate in games, he won't amount to a lot. I can't wait to see game results against decent competition.



3 Adalberto Mondesi , SS , KC

Bats, Throws: B , R

Height, Weight: 5-11 , 160

Bonus, Country: 2,000,000 , Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Mondesi is the son of Raul, the former Dodger star, and is a very good athlete. He is a long, lean player that has easy actions on the field. He is a more natural hitter from the right side but has very good contact ability both ways. He should be able to stay at SS unless he outgrows it. His power is limited right now, but I really like him.



4 Elier Hernandez , OF , KC

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-4 , 200

Bonus, Country: $3,000,000 , Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: A potential star, it's hard to tell where his ceiling is. He looks like a MLB star physically and has exceptional bat speed. While he is the type of player teams should look at as future superstars, it is hard to gauge his current ability at the plate. That said, he has the best hitting ability from the Dominican this year.



5 Luis Enrique Acosta , SS , CHC

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-1 , 180

Bonus, Country: $1,100,000 , Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: With a quick short swing that creates really good loft, Acosta has star potential. He runs hard out of the box as he finishes his strong swing. Acosta is likely to move to 3B or even to RF in the long run, but he has a strong arm.


6 Rougned Odor SS TEX

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: $425,000 Venezuela

Scouting Report: Odor is a sweet swinging lefty who is light on his feet and has a nice right hook as he displayed here. But in seriousness, he is a very good prospect who can play defense and hit well. He is a very good prospect.



7 Victor Sanchez , P , SEA

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-0 , 185

Bonus, Country: , Venezuela

Scouting Report: Sanchez is a short, stocky RHP out of Venezuela. He has good stuff right now and can touch 94. His breaking ball is a very good pitch and he should be able to get out pro players at lower levels fairly easily. He isn't likely to gain much by gaining muscle since he is already kind of maxed out. It will be interesting to see if he grows more.



8 Manuel Marcos , OF , BOS

Bats, Throws: L , R

Height, Weight: 6-0 , 175

Bonus, Country: 800,000 , Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Marcos isn't going to blow you away with skills but he is a near lock to be able to stay in CF with good defense and he can hit. He isn't an elite bat but he should hit enough to be a solid CF.


9 Roberto Osuna , P , TOR

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-0 , 198

Bonus, Country: , Mexico

Scouting Report: Osuna is the nephew of Antonio Osuna and has similar projection as the formerDodgers reliever. He has a 90-94 MPH fastball and a really nice breaking ball. His changeup is behind but it works. He could be a starter but he will have to watch his weight as he gets older.


10 Mauricio Silva , RHP , IFA

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-2 , 190

Bonus, Country: , Venezuela

Scouting Report: Silva has a heavy sinker in the 90-93 range. He flashes a plus curve which is actually pretty rare in 16 year olds. He is young even for a latin signing as he turned 16 just in time to sign.


11 Dawel Lugo , SS , TOR

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-0 , 175

Bonus, Country: 1,000,000 , Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Dawel looks awkard at times. He runs kind of funny and his swing is a little unusual but he can hit. He won't have a lot of power and he isn't a slow runner but he is a unique prospect.


12 Nomar Mazara , OF , TEX

Bats, Throws: L , L

Height, Weight: 6-3 , 185

Bonus, Country: $5,000,000 , Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Mazara has to intrigue you if you like baseball. He is a huge, powerful kid that has 80 raw power, which means only a handful of people can hit a ball as hard as him. No one can tell if he will hit like that in a game, though, due to his huge leg kick and his tendency to swing and miss.


13 Helsin Martinez , OF , IFA

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-5 , 190

Bonus, Country: , Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Helsin is a typical Latin big bodied corner outfielder that has a long ways to go to develop. He could add a lot of strength to his frame. The biggest question is if he will hit.


14 Dorssys Paulino , SS , CLE

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 5-11 , 175

Bonus, Country: 1,000,000 , Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Paulino has a good bat and actions that look like a future 2B to me. He has a nice swing that allows him to spray line drives and he shouldn't have an issue with more advanced pitching.


15 Elvis Escobar , OF , PIT

Bats, Throws: L , L

Height, Weight: 5-9 , 165

Bonus, Country: 570,000 , Venezuela

Scouting Report: Escobar looks like he could be in the Leonys Martin mold in a few years. Not a power hitter but a solid hitting CF with plus speed, an above average arm and enough power to hit 10 out of the park.



16 Jose Ruiz , C , SD

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-2 , 180

Bonus, Country: 1,000,000 Venezuela

Scouting Report: Ruiz is a good defender and has a very good arm. He has some raw power but his hitting ability lags behind. He is athletic and could be a solid backstop.



17 Luis Reynoso , SS , HOU

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-0 , 170

Bonus, Country: 700,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Reynoso has a nice line drive swing. He doesn't have a ton of power potential but he has projection remaining and is a strong kid now. He may have to move to 2B but has middle infield actions and could stick at SS with more work.



18 Miguel Andujar , 3B , NYY

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-1 , 180

Bonus, Country: 750,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Andujar is a solid defensive 3B with a plus arm and good actions at the hot corner. He has very good power but his swing is kind of stiff. I'm not sure he will hit against better pitching but he has a chance to be a very good 3B if it all comes together.



19 Jose Garcia , C , NYM

Bats, Throws: B , R

Height, Weight: 5-11 , 180

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report: Garcia has the tools to be a solid catcher. He has good instincts behind the dish and is a gap hitter with good contact ability.



20 Ricardo Marcano , 3B , CHC

Bats, Throws: L , R.

Height, Weight: 6-2 , 180

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report: Marcano is average across the board without standout tools but he has nice left handed swing and is worth watching.



Raimel Flores , SS , BOS

Bats, Throws: B , R

Height, Weight: 5-9 , 155

Bonus, Country: 900,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Flores offers plus defense up the middle with a plus arm and solid speed. His bat isn't anything to get too excited about, especially the power potential but considering the state of MLB shortstops, you need to look at the glove too.



Iosif Bernal , OF , ATL

Bats, Throws: ,

Height, Weight: 6’3? , 185

Bonus, Country: 230,000 Panama

Scouting Report:



Deoscar Romero , P , BOS

Bats, Throws: R

Height, Weight: 6’3?

Bonus, Country: 600,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:



Marck Malave , C , CHC

Bats, Throws: B , R

Height, Weight: 6-1 , 200

Bonus, Country: 1,600,000 Venezuela

Scouting Report: decent defender/ plus arm/ questionable bat speed,power, hitting/ slow unathletic



Enrique Acosta SS CHC

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6’1? 180

Bonus, Country: 1,000,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:



Frank Del Valle LHP CHC

Bats, Throws: Left

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: $800,000 Cuba

Scouting Report:



Christina Peiters CHC

Bats, Throws: Left

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Curacao

Scouting Report:



Jonathan Perez , P , CIN

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-4 , 195

Bonus, Country: 825,000 Venezuela

Scouting Report: nice movement/ low 90's/ projection/ avg secondary



Soid Marquez , RHP , CIN

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-2 , 170

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report: plus curveball for age, upper 80's, could jump up



Anthony Santander , OF , CLE

Bats, Throws: B , R

Height, Weight: 6-2 , 185

Bonus, Country: 385,000 Venezuela

Scouting Report: improving all around, below avg arm. Avg bat, avg speed


Francisco Miguel OF CLE

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6’3? 190

Bonus, Country: 200,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:



Edgar Pineda P CLE

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 5’7?

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:



Omar Sanchez OF CLE

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:



Antonio Senzatela , P , COL

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-1 , 175

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report: good fb. Little else, some projection



Adelin Santa , 3B , DET

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-3 , 190

Bonus, Country: 750,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: raw power. Good arm/ may outgrow 3b. Other tools below averafg




Harold Arauz P HOU

Bats, Throws: R

Height, Weight: 6’4?

Bonus, Country: 300,000 Panama

Scouting Report:



Arturo Michelena , SS , HOU

Bats, Throws: R R

Height, Weight: 6-0 165

Bonus, Country: 220,000 Venezuela

Scouting Report:




Angelo Castellano SS KC

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6’1? 175

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:




Luis Lara C KC

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:



Miguel Gonzalez , P , MIN

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 5-11 , 185

Bonus, Country: 650,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: 88-91 with movement with solid curveball and emerging change. Pitchabiliy latin prospect, Twins got him..shocker



Felix Jorge P MIN

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:



Seong Min Kim C OAK

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: 510,000

Scouting Report:



Carlos Tocci , OF , PHI

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-2 , 150

Bonus, Country: 759,000 Venezuela

Scouting Report: speedy skinny kid, no power, decent hitter



Harold Ramirez , OF , PIT

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 5-11 , 175

Bonus, Country: 1,000,000 Colombia

Scouting Report: fringe arm/ cf maybe lf/ speed/ good bat/ minimal power



Chin De Chang C PIT

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: $250,000

Scouting Report:


Eric Valdez OF SF

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: 325,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:




Dewin Perez P STL

Bats, Throws: L

Height, Weight: 5’11?

Bonus, Country: 450,000 Colombia

Scouting Report:



Jose Godoy C STL

Bats, Throws: L R

Height, Weight: 5-10 160

Bonus, Country: 200,000 Venezuela

Scouting Report:



Eric Otanez , C , TB

Bats, Throws: R R

Height, Weight: 6-2 195

Bonus, Country: Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:




Yohander Mendez , LHP , TEX

Bats, Throws: L , L

Height, Weight: 6-4 , 170

Bonus, Country: 1500000 Venezuela

Scouting Report: mid to upper 80's - all projection




Pedro Payano P TEX

Bats, Throws: R

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: 650,000 Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:




Eduar Pinto OF TEX

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:




Jesus Gonzalez , OF , TOR

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-1 , 190

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report: plus arm/ rf/ big bp power/ questionable bat/ long swing



Wilmer Becerra , OF , TOR

Bats, Throws: R , R

Height, Weight: 6-3 , 175

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report: Becerra is a corner outfielder with an average arm and speed. He runs better under way but isn't fast. His contact ability is questionable but he does show some power.



Jairo Labourt TOR

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:



Yeyfry Del Rosario TOR

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:



Manuel Cordoba P TOR

Bats, Throws: R R

Height, Weight: 6-2 180

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:



Alberto Tirado TOR

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:



Osman Gutierrez P TOR

Bats, Throws: R

Height, Weight: 6’4? 200

Bonus, Country: Nicaragua

Scouting Report:



Mitchel Martes , 3B , IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: ,

Bonus, Country: Aruba

Scouting Report: sleeper with power




Gustavo Perinan SS IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6-1 180

Bonus, Country: Colombia

Scouting Report:



Onelkis Garcia Speck P IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Cuba

Scouting Report:




Jose Julio Ruiz IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Cuba

Scouting Report:




Yadil Mujica IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Cuba

Scouting Report:




Ronald Ferreras P IFA

Bats, Throws: Right

Height, Weight: 6'2 170

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Darfi Ortiz 2B IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 5'10 140

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Yoguar Villega SS IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Adaniel Blanco SS IFA

Bats, Throws: Right

Height, Weight: 6'1 175

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Alfrandy Cespedes P IFA

Bats, Throws: Right

Height, Weight: 6'1 170

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Carlos Pereira 3B IFA

Bats, Throws: Right Right

Height, Weight: 6' 170

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Cesar Aybar P IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6'5 184

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Deivi Paulino P IFA

Bats, Throws: Right

Height, Weight: 6'4 190

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Eddy Morabel 3B IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6'1 180

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Fidias Soto OF IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6'2 180

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Jonas Corporan P IFA

Bats, Throws: Right

Height, Weight: 6'2 185

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Michale Leso P IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Pedro Araujo P IFA

Bats, Throws: Right

Height, Weight: 6'3 195

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Vladiimir Tejeda P IFA

Bats, Throws: Right

Height, Weight: 6'2 180

Bonus, Country: D.R.

Scouting Report:




Erick Hurtado LHP IFA

Bats, Throws: L

Height, Weight: 6-4 200

Bonus, Country: Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:




Franmil Reyes OF IFA

Bats, Throws: R R

Height, Weight: 6-4 210

Bonus, Country: Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: big corner of/ solid power for corner OF/ avg contact with recognition issues/ avg d/ good arm/ LF likely




Yairo Munoz , SS , IFA

Bats, Throws: B , R

Height, Weight: 6-0 , 170

Bonus, Country: Dominican Republic

Scouting Report: Poor bat/ great glove/ good speed/ luis castillo




Sanber Pimentel , OF , IFA

Bats, Throws: L L

Height, Weight: 6-2 195

Bonus, Country: Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:




Manuel Gonzalez RHP IFA

Bats, Throws: R R

Height, Weight: 6-4 205

Bonus, Country: Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:




Gialy Arias RHP IFA

Bats, Throws: R R

Height, Weight: 6-2 175

Bonus, Country: Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:




Jhoan Urena 3B IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6-1 185

Bonus, Country: Dominican Republic

Scouting Report:




Robert Michael Garcia Quiroz P IFA

Bats, Throws: Right

Height, Weight: 6'2 167

Bonus, Country: Mexico

Scouting Report:




Ju Suc Ha SS IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: South Korea

Scouting Report:




Sung Hyuk Han RHP IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: South Korea

Scouting Report:




Jih Yuk Ryu 3B IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: South Korea

Scouting Report:




Chih Yu Lin RHP/OF IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Taiwan

Scouting Report:



Junior Flores RHP IFA

Bats, Throws: R

Height, Weight: 6'1

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:




Kevin Sosa RHP IFA

Bats, Throws: R

Height, Weight: 6'

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:




Alexis Parma OF IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:




Cesar Gonzalez C IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:




Felix Carvallo P IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:




Yorman Landa P IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country: Venezuela

Scouting Report:




Carlos Rodriguez LHP IFA

Bats, Throws: L

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:




Eric Gabo OF IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6-3 185

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:




Jose Leal OF IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6-3 190

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:




Luis Carreno RHP IFA

Bats, Throws: R

Height, Weight: 6' 170

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:




Victor Medina OF IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight: 6-1 170

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:




Alberto Garcia SS IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:




Elvis Sanchez 3B IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:




Eskarlin Vazquez OF IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:




Ismael Alcantara IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report:







Luis Abad P IFA

Bats, Throws:

Height, Weight:

Bonus, Country:

Scouting Report: