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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 It's already outdated due to some signings but it will give you a good look at what happened in the last year in the international market, as some of you requested in the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:
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