Astros sign top Mexican League OF Leo Heras

[OregonStrosFan]

Heras is 23, and seems to be a legitimate prospect (rather than simply a roster filler). TCB has a short write-up on him, with some links worth checking out HERE.

[astrosfan76]

The Astros have agreed to terms with the Diablos Rojos (Mexico City Red Devils) of the Mexican League to acquire first baseman Japhet Amador and outfielder Leo Heras. Amador will be assigned to Triple A-Oklahoma City, while Heras will report to Double-A Corpus Christi.

Amador, 26, hit .368 with 22 doubles, 36 home runs, 121 RBIs and a .419 OBP in 104 games for the Diablos Rojos this season. The 6-foot-4 first baseman led the Mexican League in RBIs, while ranking second in homers and third in total bases (277). Amador has played in the Mexican League for seven seasons (2007-13) and owns a career .330 average with 112 home runs and 400 RBIs in 503 career games.

Keep in mind that the Mexican League is a hitters' league. With a number of players on the 7-Day DL, OKC doesn't have to move anyone right now to give him a roster spot. A quick Google search also found this on him:

I've scouted Amador (read: I've written reports for teams), and his numbers are better than his tools. He is extremely strong, with a angled swing that allows him to drive the ball and utilized that strength. I mean, seriously, this guy is strong. However, he lacks athleticism, and his ability to punish Mexican League pitching hides his weaknesses at the plate. Most arms in that league depend on junk and location, rather than elite velocity and power. Amador has good hand speed, but he also has some mechanical hitches in his swing that allow him to get the jump on the mid 80s FBs and spike CBs, but would prove problematic against superior pitching. I had his hit tool graded in the 40/45 range on the 20/80 scale.

On defense, he's a natural DH. His footwork at 1B is below-average and his body isnt great. He doesn't project to have a DH bat at the major league level, so his value is extremely limited.

And this:

Japhet Amador is a 25-year-old Mexican League first baseman whose name appears to means something not unlike “Abundant Lover.”

http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/2013/08/18/astros-acquire-two-from-mexican-league/
http://www.bbtia.com/forum/post/1351799
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/some-premature-winter-league-batting-leaderboards/

[jbm]

Probably already been answered, but are both of these signings paid for out of the international pool of money?

[astrosfan76]

Probably already been answered, but are both of these signings paid for out of the international pool of money?

It hasn't been answered as far as I know, but if they've played professionally for a certain number of years, they are exempt fom the pool. So, guys like Puig and Dice-K would still get big paydays. Amador, for sure, would not count against the pool, Heras probably wouldn't either. I couldn't tell you the exact rule without looking it up, though.

[jbm]

Makes sense.  Like Darvish: Pay off the player's club, and pay him, but not out of the amateur pool.

I have no sense about these signings.  Are they really players that might contribute?  I mean, they have been out there available to all takers for years now.

[astrosfan76]

Makes sense.  Like Darvish: Pay off the player's club, and pay him, but not out of the amateur pool.

I have no sense about these signings.  Are they really players that might contribute?  I mean, they have been out there available to all takers for years now.

Neither are big-time prospects, but Heras seems to be a decent one (tools are there and they're starting him at AA).  The impression that I get is that it is a pain to get players from the Mexican League, so teams may not make too much of an effort.  Mexico is an area that Luhnow has targeted; maybe he sees it as a moderately-untapped mine for prospects. 

[Reuben]

Neither are big-time prospects, but Heras seems to be a decent one (tools are there and they're starting him at AA).  The impression that I get is that it is a pain to get players from the Mexican League, so teams may not make too much of an effort.  Mexico is an area that Luhnow has targeted; maybe he sees it as a moderately-untapped mine for prospects. 

Maybe they're also trying to attract more Mexican and/or Latino fans?

[OregonStrosFan]

Maybe they're also trying to attract more Mexican and/or Latino fans?

Luhnow has mentioned that as a goal at times since he was brought on.

[OregonStrosFan]

Maybe they're also trying to attract more Mexican and/or Latino fans?

Here is a 9/17/12 Levine article discussing HOU efforts in Mexico, worth a re-read: Luhnow, Astros target Mexico for players, marketing  (H/T to @KevinBassStache for the link)

At the intersection of baseball opportunism and the marketing concerns that are more a part of his job than that of most general managers, Astros GM Jeff Luhnow has his eye turned to the south.

He makes no secret of this, nor does he deny there is a strong business incentive to wanting to turn Mexico into Astros country and the Astros into a team with a little more of a Mexican presence.

“We’re hoping that we can ultimately get more Mexican players here and ultimately connect more with our Mexican community, which is pretty substantial not only in Houston but also in South Texas and all of Texas, for that matter,” Luhnow said.

[MusicMan]

Amador is 6'4", 315 lbs??

He'll either make an impact, or make an impact crater.

[Jose Cruz III]

Amador is 6'4", 315 lbs??

He'll either make an impact, or make an impact crater.

They will soon find out he used a fake birth certificate and he is actually 38 and his name is Carlos Lee.