From the Astros PR:Headlining today's signings is the Astros first class of players from Brazil, which includes right-handed pitcher
Heitor Tokar, the No. 50 overall player in this year's international class per Baseball America, and Brazil's top hitter, third baseman/outfielder
Victor Coutinho. "Heitor stands out for his physicality, power stuff, and pitchability for a 16 year old, and we project him as a power starter," said Ocampo. "Heitor is 6-foot-7, 250 pounds with an 88-92 mph fastball, solid changeup, and two breaking balls (curveball/slider), all of which he throws for strikes. We are excited to welcome both Heitor and Victor into the Astros family."
Leading the 10 players the Astros signed out of the Dominican Republic is right-handed pitcher
Jose Betances. "Jose is a physical, strong and athletic right-handed starter with some of the best present stuff in this year's class," said Ocampo. "He is 6-foot-2, 185 pounds and owns a 91-95 mph fastball that generates swings and misses, and a hard 'downer' slider at 81-84 mph. Both of those pitches project as plus, and with our development program, Betances should be a fast mover through our minor league system."
The Astros signed a strong group of young power/speed outfielders out of Venezuela, led by center fielders
Yefri Carrillo and
Wilyer Abreu. "Yefri has a great frame and plus athleticism to go along with all five tools, as he possesses a solid bat/power combination, is a plus runner and plus fielder, and owns a 70 arm," said Ocampo. "Wilyer is a left-handed hitter with an advanced approach from the plate as well as defensively in center field. He is also a plus runner with a 55 arm. Both players stand out for their work ethic and competitive nature."
Two standout pitchers the Astros signed out of Venezuela include right-handed pitcher
Jairo Lopez and left-handed pitcher
Ricardo Leon. Lopez, a 5-foot-11, 150 pound right-hander, has a "solid delivery and possesses strike throwing ability, above average tempo, mound presence and competitiveness," said Astros Assistant Director of International Scouting Roman Ocumarez. Leon, a 6-foot-4, 165 pound left-handed pitcher, has a "very projectable frame and will not turn seventeen until March of 2018," said Astros Assistant Director of International Scouting Tom Shafer. "We believe that once Ricardo matures physically, he has the potential to develop three average-or-better Major League pitches. He also has an advanced presence on the mound and is a highly intelligent kid, both on and off the field."
And bonus info on each signee (
from this article):
Wilyer Abreu, OF, Venezuela, $300,000
Ricardo Leon, LHP, Venezuela, $300,000
Yefri Carrillo, OF, Venezuela, $300,000
Yimmi Cortabarria, OF, Venezuela, $300,000
Franklin Pinto, OF, Venezuela, $300,000
Heitor Tokar, RHP, Brazil, $300,000
Jose Betances, RHP, Dominican Republic, $285,000
Abraham Castillo, OF, Venezuela, $150,000
Victor Mascai, OF, Brazil, $100,000
Ernesto Jaquez, RHP, Dominican Republic, $95,000
Ricardo Toro, C, Venezuela, $95,000
Enmanuel Morillo, SS, Dominican Republic, $90,000
Carlos Hurtado, C, Venezuela, $80,000
Junior Marte, SS, Dominican Republic, $70,000
Diosmerky Taveras, RHP, Dominican Republic, $55,000
Alfredi Jimenez, RHP, Dominican Republic, $50,000
Manny Ramirez, RHP, Dominican Republic, $50,000
Cristofer Mezquita, LHP, Dominican Republic, $30,000
Luis Garcia, RHP, Venezuela, $20,000
Flaer Gonzalez, RHP, Dominican Republic, $20,000
Valente Bellozo, RHP, Mexico, $20,000
Oliver Van Der Wisjt, 3B, The Netherlands, $17,500
Alex Blanco, RHP, Dominican Republic, $10,000
Javier Bermudez, SS, Venezuela, $10,000
Hecduar Barcenas, RHP, Venezuela, $10,000
Victor Coutinho, INF/OF, Brazil, Not Reported
Total bonus money spent (to date) = $3,357,500*.
Amount able to be spent by Astros under hard cap rules = $4,750,000.
Remaining amount available to spend in current signing period = $1,392,500**.
*It's unclear why the Astros press release and the related article did not refer to the signing of Cuban shortstop Rolando Espinosa for $300,000 but I've included his signing in this total.
**Minus whatever it took to sign Victor Coutinho.
