Author Topic: 2015 Int'l Signings (Read 8420 times)

Nate Colbert · « **on:** February 26, 2015, 06:08:16 pm »

Baseball America has the bonus pools for the international signing period beginning July 2. Based on winning percentages from the 2014 season, the Astros have the 4th-highest at $4,248,800. The D-Backs have the highest at $5,393,900. However that club plus the Yankees/Red Sox/Rays/Angels cannot sign individual players during this period for more than $300,000 due to having exceeded the pools in the 2014 signing period.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2015, 01:38:16 pm »

FG's Kiley McDaniel posted videos on 27 of the top July 2 guys. Vlad Jr been's connected to the Blue Jays ($4.5MM), Ortiz to the Phillies ($4.2MM), Javier to the Twins ($4MM), Heredia to the Dodgers ($3MM) and Matias to the Royals ($2.2MM). So I guess there's 22 guys left for the Astros to pop their $4.2MM wad on. Of course that assumes that someone like the Dodgers don't do what the Yankees did last year and say penalties be damned and blow past their pool while signing every Dominican/Venezuelan in sight.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #2 on:** April 16, 2015, 02:04:47 pm »

Kiley McDaniel's latest article on July 2 signees is up at FG. He has the Astros tied to Dominican CF Gilberto Celestino. Along with some video, McDaniel has this to say about Celestino:

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He’s an above average to plus runner that gives very different run times on different days, but has solid defensive instincts and shows above average arm strength, average raw power projection and good feel to hit in games.

The projected bonus there is $2MM.

VirtualBob · « **Reply #3 on:** April 16, 2015, 02:10:58 pm »

I thought speed never had an off day ... ??

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #4 on:** May 17, 2015, 10:27:53 pm »

MLB.com posted their Top 30 International Prospects list a couple of weeks ago. Like FG, they have the Astros linked to Dominican CF Gilberto Celestino who MLB.com ranks #8.

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Known for his athletic ability and instincts in the outfield, Celestino is projected to start in center field and likely stay there as he develops because of his speed, arm and his ability to get good jumps in the outfield. He's gained a reputation as one of the better game players in the class, despite varying opinions on his some of his tools.

#22 on the MLB.com list is OF Miguel Aparicio who is not just linked to the Astros but also the Indians, Giants, Padres, Rangers, Royals, and White Sox as well.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2015, 05:06:24 pm »

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Jose de Jesus Ortiz ‏@OrtizKicks 3 minutes ago
The #Astros have traded Quad Cities LHP Chris Lee to the Orioles for the 46 and 76 slots in the 2014-15 International Pool.

Added about $700K to the Astros overall spending pool for the 2014-2015 spending period (not the 2015-2016 period).

jbm · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2015, 05:12:38 pm »

So, this is essentially trading him to increase their allotted international pool?

Is this something that happened in the past much, or is it a new phenomenon?

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2015, 05:22:51 pm »

Quote from: jbm on May 18, 2015, 05:12:38 pm

So, this is essentially trading him to increase their allotted international pool?

Yes, although actually it's for the current spending period (which I believe ends this month) rather than the upcoming spending period starting July 2.

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Is this something that happened in the past much, or is it a new phenomenon?

Since these rules were first put in place several years ago, the trading of slots has been a fairly common occurence.

astrosfan76 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2015, 06:31:29 pm »

The club entered the '14-15 signing period with a pool of $5,015,400 and spent an estimated $5.42M*. They could spend $5,767,710 without being hit with the 15% penalties. Adding the extra $655,800 ensures that they wouldn't be hit with overage penalties, but could also indicate a desire to make some additional moves before the new signing period begins. I don't anticipate them making any huge splashes, as they wouldn't want to hurt their ability to sign players in the '15-16 class, which wIll hopefully be their last one with a large pool for a while.

* BA's list actually estimates what the team spent in the 2014 calendar year, which included the last (least-active) half of the '13-14 class plus the first half of the '14-15 class. So, it doesn't really tell us how much of their pool for '14-15 is unspent.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/2014-international-spending-team/

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2015, 10:37:47 am »

Although Ben Badler lists a shitload of reasons as to why the international market is screwed up, I thought the most interesting was #9: teams that have exceeded their bonus pool in the prior signing period and can't sign players for more than $300,000 in the current signing period can get around that limitation by signing package deals with a particular buscone.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2015, 01:36:11 pm »

Just like FG and MLB.com before them, BA has the Astros linked to CF Gilberto Celestino (and a projected $2MM bonus) giving him excellent grades for his defense in centerfield but more mixed reviews for his potential offense. Listed at 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, a lefthanded thrower who hits exclusively from the right side.

No link as behind paywall.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #11 on:** June 26, 2015, 11:38:23 pm »

Kylie McDaniel/FG has a sortable list of the top 70 or so July 2 prospects.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #12 on:** July 01, 2015, 11:45:49 am »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on May 17, 2015, 10:27:53 pm

MLB.com posted their Top 30 International Prospects list a couple of weeks ago. Like FG, they have the Astros linked to Dominican CF Gilberto Celestino who MLB.com ranks #8.

BA just posted their top 30 with where they are expected to sign. Sadly, that's all I can tell you, as I haven't gotten around to re-upping my BA subscription as of yet...

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #13 on:** July 01, 2015, 02:04:32 pm »

Quote from: OregonStrosFan on July 01, 2015, 11:45:49 am

BA just posted their top 30 with where they are expected to sign. Sadly, that's all I can tell you, as I haven't gotten around to re-upping my BA subscription as of yet...

The only player on that list linked to the Astros is (surprise! surprise!) Gilberto Celestino. He's ranked at #17. In a separate article, he's listed as the best defensive outfielder in the class.

And speaking of separate articles, BA covers a group of players beyond the top 30. The only player in that secondary group expected to sign with the Astros is Dominican SS Jose Valdez. Listed at perhaps 5'10" 160 lbs, says he may have to slide over to 2B.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2015, 04:44:22 pm »

Quote from: Nate Colbert on May 17, 2015, 10:27:53 pm

MLB.com posted their Top 30 International Prospects list a couple of weeks ago. Like FG, they have the Astros linked to Dominican CF Gilberto Celestino who MLB.com ranks #8.

MLB.com has updated that page with Celestino now ranked 7th.

La Verdad · « **Reply #15 on:** July 02, 2015, 08:34:32 am »

Jesse Sanchez (MLB.com): Astros sign Gilberto Celestino for $2.5 million

La Verdad · « **Reply #16 on:** July 02, 2015, 09:04:15 am »

According to Antonio Puesan, a former Minor League pitcher for the Royals who has a show called "Ligas Menores en Acción" on ESPN Radio in the Dominican Republic, the Astros have also signed Dominican SS Yeuris Ramirez for $500K, Dominican 2B Enmanuel Valdez for $450K, and Venezuelan SS Ronaldo Urdaneta for $60K.

OregonStrosFan · « **Reply #17 on:** July 02, 2015, 01:47:07 pm »

Quote from: La Verdad on July 02, 2015, 09:04:15 am

According to Antonio Puesan, a former Minor League pitcher for the Royals who has a show called "Ligas Menores en Acción" on ESPN Radio in the Dominican Republic, the Astros have also signed Dominican SS Yeuris Ramirez for $500K, Dominican 2B Enmanuel Valdez for $450K, and Venezuelan SS Ronaldo Urdaneta for $60K.

Good stuff, thanks!

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #18 on:** July 02, 2015, 01:59:17 pm »

Quote from: La Verdad on July 02, 2015, 09:04:15 am

...the Astros have also signed Dominican 2B Enmanuel Valdez for $450K

From the BA writeup announcing the signing:

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Listed at 5-foot-10, 160 pounds, Valdez has a knack for hitting, making frequent contact in games with good hand-eye coordination and a line-drive approach from the left side. He may end up sliding over to second base. Valdez trains with “Mon” and played in the International Prospect League.

Obviously this is the same guy that BA had listed under the name "Jose" Valdez the day before and that I linked to above.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #19 on:** July 02, 2015, 02:05:14 pm »

Quote from: OregonStrosFan on July 02, 2015, 01:47:07 pm

Good stuff, thanks!

Yes it was.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #20 on:** July 02, 2015, 02:13:12 pm »

BA created an international signings tracker page here. So far the two signings they have listed for the Astros are Celestino and Valdez. Once additional signings are confirmed presumably the other two signings mentioned above will show up here (or at least the larger one for $500K will).

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #21 on:** July 02, 2015, 02:22:45 pm »

Although BA has yet to confirm the signing, this is from their writeup yesterday about other players to watch:

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Dominican shortstop Eury [Yeuris] Ramirez (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) has good hands, a solid-average arm, average speed and projects to be a big, physical player, so he has a chance to stick at shortstop but might outgrow the position and slide over to third base. He’s an average runner and a solid athlete with a good chance to hit and drive the ball for power as he continues to fill out.

La Verdad · « **Reply #22 on:** July 02, 2015, 05:06:27 pm »

Astros have agreed to terms on a contract with Cuban free agent center fielder Alejandro Garcia

— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) July 2, 2015

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #23 on:** July 02, 2015, 09:22:03 pm »

Quote from: La Verdad on July 02, 2015, 05:06:27 pm

Astros have agreed to terms on a contract with Cuban free agent center fielder Alejandro Garcia

— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) July 2, 2015

More here.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #24 on:** July 03, 2015, 10:43:57 am »

Quote

Jesse Sanchez ‏@JesseSanchezMLB 25 minutes ago
Source: Astros deal with Cuban free agent center fielder Alejandro Garcia is for $750K.

La Verdad · « **Reply #25 on:** July 03, 2015, 11:18:03 am »

Three more signings, per Antonio Puesan:

OF Jose Hernandez - $10,000
C Vicente Mota - $7,500
P Mauricio Santana - $17,000

Hernandez and Mota will not count against the pool.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #26 on:** March 29, 2016, 02:07:57 pm »

From a recent behind the paywall BA article recapping the 2015 int'l signings, a couple of additional signings not mentioned above:

RHP Enoli Paredes--signed for just $10K, the 5'11" 165 lb Dominican pitcher is now reaching 94 on his FB. A promising changeup and CB add to the mix.

CF Cesar Cortez--6'0" 165 lb Panamanian player signed as a 16 year old who allegedly hits well from the right side and impresses defensively. $100K bonus.

Nate Colbert · « **Reply #27 on:** March 29, 2016, 03:02:13 pm »

One other signing from that BA article:

RHP Jose Luis Hernandez--signed out of Mexico as a 19 year old back in March of last year (which means he actually fell into the 2014 int'l signing period). The Astros started him out at Greeneville before bumping him a month later to Tri-City. Was extremely effective between the two with a 42/9 strikeout to walk in 37 2/3 IP. He pitched an inning in the recent series in Mexico City, giving up a run on a couple of hits (although one of those was a mis-played FB by Jon Kemmer). BA says he has 5 pitches and will apparently start this season at QC as a 20 y/o.