International Signings - 2017

[Frayed Knot]

July 2nd is the day they shoot off the gun signaling the rush to sign this year's crop of teenage international talent.

BA lists the Mets as having so far inked deals with a SS and two OFs who rate as the 3rd, 16th, and 40th best prospects available [seinfeld]although who knows how official any of these rankings really are[/seinfeld]
And now seeing as how these guys are all still just 12 years old (actually 16) it'll be several years before we hear their names* again and several more after that before they start to have an idea if it was money (over $3.5
million for those top two guys alone) well spent. But at least it's good to know that they're not sitting out this process.

* Ronny Mauricio; Adrian Hernandez; Stanly Consuegra -- all of the DR



Int'l money is controlled these days via an overall budget cap similar to how the domestic draft is structured. Teams that go over the limit in one signing period are then limited in the next as to how much
they can spend so there's no way for a handful of teams to scoop up all the top players as some thought was the case for a few years a while back.

A quick look at the linked list shows the top players going to:
#1 Tampa
#2 & #7 Red Sox
#3 Mets
#4 Yanx
#5 Indians
#6 Mariners
#8 Brewers
#9 DBacks

[MFS62]

I has read somewhere (forget where) that these lists are not showing the amounts for which Venezuelan players sign because they are fearful of kidnapping and ransom requests.

Later

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Mets have swapped a minor league SS Milton Ramos to the Orioles for unspecified Intl signing bonus slots.

I read somewhere the O's don;t bother with that international signing jazz so I guess it makes sense.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Here's more with bonus google translation: http://diariosocialrd.com/deportes/40800-mets-firma-a-7-prospectos-en-julio-2-ronny-mauricio-logra-bono-de-us2-1-mm/

Mets signs 7 prospects on July 2; Ronny Mauricio wins US $ 2.1bn bonus Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic - A group of seven young men took the first step to the big dream of reaching the majors with the New York Mets, when the July 2 international signings season began -2018. The group of players was led by Ronny Mauricio, a talented shortstop from San Pedro de Macoris, who was awarded a $ 2.1 million signing bonus by the Mets. Mauricio, is a batter in both hands, possessing a very fluid swing and plans to develop power in the future. He also has exceptional defensive skills and has an above average arm. The young prospect was ranked number 3 among the top international players, according to the ranking of the prestigious Baseball America magazine. Adrián Hernández Meanwhile, center fielder Adrián Hernandez of Santo Domingo was awarded a signing bonus of 1.5 million dollars. He is a compact athlete with power and speed to play center field. He has an average arm and has advanced defensive skills. He is also an above-average runner. Hernandez was ranked # 16 by Baseball America. Stanly Consuegra On the other hand, Stanly Consuegra, of Manoguayabo, Santo Domingo Oeste, received a bond of US $ 500 thousand. He is a great athlete with enormous potential to develop. This central fielder who has very good offensive and defensive skills, has an above-average arm. Federico Polanco Federico Polanco is a shortstop from San Pedro de Macoris and received a US $ 325,000 bonus. He is cousin to Ronny Mauricio and they have played baseball together since very young. Polanco is a prototype Dominican torpedo boat with lots of potential ahead, he plays hard and with a lot of heart. Patricio Díaz The athlete Patricio Diaz, native of Dajabón, is another player with many skills and is projected to be a good player in the future. He has a short, compact swing with the ability to make good contacts consistently. Diaz is a center fielder and received a $ 100,000 signing bonus. Eduardo Salazar The Venezuelan outfield Eduardo Salazar, has a strong physique and is projected to continue to grow even more. He owns a fluid swing with good contact and is visualized will be a power hitter. He received from the Mets a $ 125,000 bonus. Robert Hill Robert Colina, right-hander from Venezuela who received a US $ 85,000 bonus. Projected as an opener, it has a good control of its three pitchers. Very intelligent and awesome skills. Signed prospects, in addition to the characteristics that distinguish them as excellent athletes, are also valued the formidable personal qualities they possess as being disciplined young workers, who show a lot of dedication and passion for the ball. The signing of the prospects was held on Sunday at the Mets New York facility in Boca Chica, where there was a lunch and artistic activities for all guests. The activity was attended by distinguished personalities and executives of the Major League team, headed by Tommy Tanous, Vice President of International Scouting and United States; Chris Becerra, International Scouting Director, as well as all international scouts, United States organization executives, set players in the Summer League, coaches, academy employees and family members. The signatures of these players reaffirm the Mets' conviction for Latin American talent with the goal of continuing to form future Major League players.

[Edgy MD]

It's about time the Mets signed a prototypical torpedo boat. It's seem like everybody has one these days.

[Frayed Knot]

MFS62 wrote: I has read somewhere (forget where) that these lists are not showing the amounts for which Venezuelan players sign because they are fearful of kidnapping and ransom requests.

Not showing bonus money seems to be true with some Venezuelan players but not with others so there's not a blanket prohibition.
And while you can understand the caution, it doesn't seem like it would make much of a difference. Someone bent on pulling off a kidnapping isn't going to do it or not based on a specific dollar amount and even if he were he could pretty much ballpark the figure.



Mauricio and Hernandez, ranked above as 3rd & 16th by BA, are listed as #10 & #18 by 'MLB Pipeline'
Nice also to see that Mauricio is a "batter in both hands"

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I am a fan of Robert Colina's awesome skills

[Edgy MD]

And I'm a fan of lunch and artistic activities for all guests.