July 2 Free Agents

[L54]

I have to say, Ang's DR and Latin insider content for that matter adds a real cool element to the board, one that I'm sure not many have. Gives us another perspective, which is great.

[Angrioter]

Juan Meza our next latin stud

http://m.mlb.com/video/v33683199/top-international-prospects-juan-meza-rhp

[Angrioter]

Do we have an agreement with him?

 

 

btw Dermis Garcia is a beast; he's not Sano but the kid destroy the ball.

[Angrioter]

Holy s***. f*** the yankees man?

Yankees could spend between 12 to 15 millons

[GD]

My favorite prospects this year are Rondon, DeLeon, Acosta, Gonzalez and Rafael. The new MLB prospect lists are very good, and they released some footage.

[ace3113]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/best-pitcher-international-market/

 

Who Is The Best Pitcher On The International Market?

 

Is 2014 more of a pitcher-heavy year on the international market, or is it a better year for position players? I get asked that question every year, and the answer never changes: It’s always a better year for hitters.

 

That doesn’t mean there aren’t any talented pitchers at the top of the class this year. From speaking with scouts across the globe, there are five 16-year-old pitchers who have established themselves as the top arms on the July 2 market.

 

Who’s the best pitching prospect for July 2 this year? Scouts all have different preferences, but there’s one in particular who has generated the most glowing reviews.

 

Juan Meza, rhp, Venezuela

 

Carlos Guillen’s academy has two of the top pitchers in Venezuela, including righthander Juan Meza. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Meza has a big, projectable frame, a quick arm and a fastball with good movement that ranges from 88-91 mph, though at times he’s dialed it back to lower speeds. Meza throws downhill and has advanced feel for pitching, with scouts split on what his best secondary pitch is right now. Most scouts seem to prefer his changeup, which he throws with good arm speed and uses to get hitters leaning out front. Some scouts see projection in his curveball, but it gets slurvy on him is inconsistent. One scout said Meza is comparable to righthander Jose Mujica, another top righthander Guillen had in 2012 when he signed with the Rays for $1 million. The Blue Jays look like the favorites for Meza, who should also have a seven-figure price tag.

 

“He’s my top pitcher,” the scout said. “He’s the total package. It’s electric stuff with three average to above-average pitches across the board, with a good delivery and good arm action.”

 

Franklin Perez, rhp, Venezuela

 

Guillen’s other top pitching prospect is righthander Franklin Perez, who until the end of last year had been showcasing as a third baseman. Perez’s arm strength made him more attractive on the mound, and while he’s more of a project than some of the other top pitchers this year, he did pitch in youth leagues and has made a quick transition. Scouts widely believe Perez will end up with a power arm in the mid-90s or better. At 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Perez throws 88-91 mph now with arm action that’s a little long in the back and comes out of a high three-quarters arm slot with excellent finish and downward angle.

 

Perez also shows enough feel for his secondary pitches to project as a starter, with top-to-bottom break on his curveball and a changeup he throws with the same arm speed as his fastball. Some scouts liked his feel for pitching, at least relative to his level of experience, though others say that part of his game is still catching up as he works to repeat his delivery. It’s hard to find a scout who would call Perez the top pitcher in the class, but several scouts agree he’s one of the top arms available.

 

“I saw Perez really good,” said a second scout. “He has pure power potential. He could be a 6-foot-4, downhill animal. He had one outing where he was all over the place, but that’s it. Other than that, he was pounding the ball down in the zone.”

 

Huascar Ynoa, rhp, Dominican Republic

 

No pitcher draws more of a split camp than Ynoa, be it among different teams, scouts within the same organization or even individual scouts who are torn on him, seeing the obvious potential but with reservations about uneven game performance. The younger brother of Athletics righthander Michael Ynoa, whose $4.25 million bonus in 2008 is still the record for an international amateur pitcher, Huascar turned 16 last month but has already flashed the potential for three average to plus pitches.

 

At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Ynoa has a mature frame for his age and throws 88-92 mph. It’s an advanced fastball for this stage, though there are some questions about how much harder he’s going to throw. When he’s at his best, Ynoa shows feel for two secondary pitches, including a 73-77 mph curveball that can be a swing-and-miss offering when it’s on and is a potential plus pitch, though it’s still inconsistent. He sells his changeup with good deception and it already flashes as a 50 to 55 offering on the 20-80 scale at times, and he’s not shy about using both secondary weapons frequently.

 

Command has hampered Ynoa, who tends to get uphill in his delivery, which hurts his ability to throw strikes and keep the ball down. Ynoa has a lot of pitching experience—he pitched in the Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, Md., in 2011—but his up-and-down showings have created a range of opinions from scouts and made his market one of the more intriguing ones for teams to follow, a la Taiwanese righthander Jen-Ho Tseng last year before he signed with the Cubs for $1.625 million. Ynoa, like his older brother did, trains with Edgar Mercedes, and it’s not clear where he’s going to end up, though the Twins and Red Sox are among the teams that have been mentioned. Others are certainly interested if Ynoa’s price tag drops. It’s possible he might wait until after July 2 to sign, although with several teams using up most of their bonus pools as soon as the signing period opens, that might be trickier to maneuver.

 

“He’s the guy who, if you hit on him and you’re right, he could be a top-of-the-rotation guy,” said a third scout. “It’s easy to say he doesn’t command it yet, but he has good arm speed and throws 90 mph like he’s playing catch. He’s a starter profile, you just have to develop him. When you see him on his best day, you’re like, ‘Wow,’ but he can go in either direction.”

 

Christopher Acosta, rhp, Dominican Republic

 

Other scouts think righthander Christopher Acosta, who trains with Alberto “Chico” Fana, is the best pitcher in the Dominican Republic. “Polished” and “16-year-old Dominican pitcher” aren’t terms that usually go together, but Acosta fits the description. He made a strong impression at the MLB international showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January, striking out four batters in two scoreless innings without issuing a hit or a walk.

 

Acosta throws strikes with good stuff that projects to get better with development and more size on his lanky 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame. He has a loose arm and a lot of movement on his low-90s fastball. His best secondary pitch is his changeup, another lively offering that plays well off his fastball and is much more advanced than most changeups scouts see from a 16-year-old. Acosta drops his arm slot further than most pitchers down to a low three-quarters release point, which might be why he’s prone to getting around his curveball, but scouts highest on him see the potential for three average to above-average pitches. International sources say the Red Sox are the frontrunner for Acosta, whose bonus could push close to $1.5 million.

 

“One of my favorite guys was Christopher Acosta,” said a fourth scout. “With Acosta you have a guy who can really command the ball and really pitch. It’s average stuff, with average fastball velocity right now but with more weight he can gain velo. You don’t see pitchers over there that often who have that kind of feel for pitching. He’s always been a good fastball/changeup guy. The curveball has always been something’s that been developing, but you can see enough feel to spin and depth on it to make you think it could be at least an average pitch.”

 

Anderson Espinoza, rhp, Venezuela

 

But the consensus is that the top pitcher on the international amateur market this year is Venezuelan righthander Anderson Espinoza. Like Dominican righty Marcos Diplan, the No. 1 pitcher out of Latin America last year who signed with the Rangers for $1.3 million, Espinoza has an extremely quick arm coming out of what scouts consider a small build at around 6 feet, 180 pounds. The Red Sox, who are planning an aggressive strike on the international market this year and will go well beyond their international bonus pool, are the favorites for both Acosta and Espinoza, with Espinoza’s price tag pushing toward $2 million.

 

“He’s an undersized righty with pretty good mechanics,” said one scout. “He’s better than Diplan. He has much better command than Diplan, with a better delivery. He gets over his front side better, he’s younger, and he’s more athletic. He’s my No. 1 pitcher.”

 

Espinoza, who trains with Felix Luzon, is built along the lines of Royals Dominican righthander Yordano Ventura. While Ventura signed for $28,000 as a 17-year-old throwing in the mid-to-high 80s, Espinoza is far more advanced in terms of his stuff and feel for pitching. His fastball sits in the low-90s, touching 93-94. He has tight spin on a mid-70s curveball, a swing-and-miss pitch that projects as a plus offering. He hasn’t needed to use his changeup much, but he maintains his arm speed on it and is around the zone with the pitch. Beyond the impressive pure stuff, Espinoza draws high praise from scouts for his savvy on the mound—no surprise given his experience in national and international tournaments—and fluid delivery.

 

Veteran scouts say they haven’t seen a 16-year-old Venezuelan righthander of Espinoza’s size with as much talent since the Angels signed Francisco Rodriguez 16 years ago for $900,000, which in 1998 was a record for a Venezuelan player.

 

“He’s got a chance to be a superstar,” said a fifth scout. “There’s going to be power to the stuff and he has command of three pitches that have a chance to be plus. He has poise, presence and command, with a loose arm and a projectable body. He’s the real deal.”

 

Wait, a projectable body? That’s not a term scouts often throw on someone who’s Espinoza’s height, but in his case, scouts consistently remark that he should throw harder because of his arm speed and action, the room on his frame to add muscle and his minimal effort delivery. Durability is a question for some scouts—that’s always going to be the case for anyone his size—but others see potential for a front-end starter.

 

“There’s projection because he’s so loose, he’s got a high waist and long arms,” the fifth scout said. “He throws 92 and it’s like he’s playing catch. It’s so loose and easy that there’s projection.”

[GD]

Acosta >

[ace3113]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/ranking-top-power-hitters-july-2/

 

Ranking The Top Power Hitters For July 2

 

Present raw power is one of the easiest things to see in a player. But in Latin America, things are not always what they seem.

 

Players lie about their ages, with 19-year-olds masquerading as 16-year-olds and passing through Major League Baseball’s investigations. Trainers often double down by pumping them full of steroids, then take them off the juice in enough time for them to pass a drug test upon signing.

 

So scouts have to figure out why a player might have such unusual raw power for his age, then determine whether a player will tap into that power with enough frequency in game situations. Every year in Latin America, there’s no shortage of physical righthanded hitters with big power and questions about whether it will translate against live pitching.

 

Some of those same things were said about Giancarlo Stanton, Kris Bryant and George Springer coming out of high school. They all made adjustments, but they also received high marks for their athleticism, which conventional scouting wisdom holds is a trait that helps players make adjustments. Paul Goldschmidt, another righthanded slugger who racked up a lot of strikeouts in his earlier days, is one of the more notable examples of a player who isn’t known for his athleticism but was able to cut down on his empty swings and transform himself into one of the game’s premier offensive players.

 

Then there’s the challenge of projecting power from kids who aren’t showing it yet. When Carlos Gonzalez and Robinson Cano signed, neither one was known for their power, yet both have been consistent 25-30 home run hitters at their peak.

 

Among the power hitters in Venezuela this year, Miguel Flames, a third baseman turned catcher with a big, heavy frame (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) has plenty of sock in his bat from the right side. Whether he sticks at catcher is up in the air, but he’s one of the better offensive-minded bats in the country and has been tied to the Yankees. In the Dominican Republic, outfielder/first baseman Bryan Pena shows plenty of raw power in batting practice and hit two home runs in a Dominican Prospect League game in January in front of hundreds of scouts, though the big lefty hitter has been up and down in game situations, with the Giants the favorites for him.

 

But in terms of raw power, the ability to simply crush a baseball as far as you can, there are three players this year who have separated themselves. These players aren’t ranked on overall talent or their ability to take their power to the game—these are the top three players on the July 2 market for raw power.

 

3. Nelson Gomez, 3b, Dominican Republic

 

Nelson Gomez was a top follow coming into the year after he played in the Under Armour All-America game at Wrigley Field in August 2013. Gomez was facing older, more advanced pitching that he had ever seen before, and it showed, as he struggled at the event but has been one of the top players back home in the Dominican Prospect League while training with Victor Baez.

 

With a heavy but strong build at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, Gomez is a righthanded hitter with a quick bat and plus raw power. He puts on one of the best BP shows in the class, drilling the ball deep over the fence to all fields. Scouts who like Gomez the most think he’s one of the better game hitters in the class along the lines of Luis Encarnacion last year when he signed with the Phillies for $1 million, though others say that’s too rich and have questions about how he’ll fare against better pitching.

 

“He has a dead-red, pull approach, but he manages to make contact,” said one scout. “I’ve seen him hitting bombs over left field. He has the juice to hit the ball out, so he falls in love with that type of swing. He’s going to be more of a power guy than an average guy.”

 

2. Gilbert Lara, ss, Dominican Republic

 

It may sound strange, but for a guy who can hit the ball as far as almost anyone in the class, Gilbert Lara does more to worry scouts than impress them with his BP sessions. A righthanded hitter, Lara can hit towering blasts to his pull side, generating power with ample strength from his physically mature frame (6-foot-3, 205 pounds) and a deep leg kick. There isn’t much ease to the operation with Lara, who takes a max-effort swing with a grip-and-rip approach, wearing out the left field foul line with a dead pull mindset. It’s not a pretty stroke and he does swing through a lot of pitches in games.

 

And yet, somehow, Lara finds a way to hit in games. The power comes with strikeouts, but he’s able to hit the ball with authority in game situations, which he did at the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January, going 5-for-6 with a home run, a triple, two walks and one strikeout.

 

“He has an upright, slightly open stance and crunches his hands really close to his back ear,” said a second scout. “Everything he did was effort and ugly. In BP, it’s all pull and he would crush balls. I just had a hard time believing he would make enough contact in games. But then, every time in games, he would square the ball up, even though it’s awkward. He doesn’t look like he should square the ball up as much as he does, but he has hitting ability and tremendous raw power. I don’t think he has the pure hit tool (Dominican shortstop Adrian) Rondon has, but he’s probably one of the top hitters out there, combined with the impressive power.”

 

Lara can’t play shortstop, and while he will get a chance to play third base, several scouts think he’s a future left fielder or first baseman, which will put a lot of pressure on his bat. Lara, who trains with Enrique Soto and Jaime Ramos, shouldn’t have much trouble putting up big numbers in Rookie ball, but his unorthodox style and ability to make adjustments will be tested as he faces better pitching.

 

“When I first saw him in BP, he was hitting balls a mile, but he was just geared up for power,” said a third scout. “From everything I saw in BP, I was like, ‘There’s no way he’s going to be able to do that in a game.’ But he’s been a guy consistently who, maybe not every time, but he’s consistently performed in games. There is swing and miss there, but he does hit, and he hits for power. That’s one thing that’s had him stick out over a lot of these kids. I saw him in quite a few games, and he’s performed in games—and hit home runs.”

 

1. Dermis Garcia, ss, Dominican Republic

 

Moreno Tejada trained outfielder Micker Zapata last year when he signed with the White Sox for $1.6 million. Now Tejada has another power bat for 2014 in Dermis Garcia, who has the most raw power in the class. A shortstop for now, Garcia will have to slide over to third base and may end up in right field. Listed at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Garcia is going to be a big, physical player and already has well above-average raw power. He launches balls with backspin deep over the left field fence in batting practice. While Garcia has a tick more raw power than Lara, scouts consistently say Lara is the better game-hitter, both for batting average and in-game power.

 

“Lara has more in game contact, although he swings and misses a bunch too,” said a fourth scout. “Both of them are a long shot to stay in the infield, but Garcia probably has a better chance to stay in the dirt. Garcia probably has easier power, whereas Lara has power too, but there’s more effort in the swing to get to that power. But both are that right-right corner profile guy who are going to have to mash, with power over bat.”

 

Garcia isn’t a pure hitter, although mechanically his swing is better than Lara’s. Right now he’s prone to taking off balance swings and selling out for power, but if he can improve his pitch recognition and tap into his power with more frequency against live pitching, the upside is obvious.

 

“He has big time power to all fields, and it’s easy power too,” said a fifth scout. “He’s just not a hitter right now. He’s a guy who, you’re buying the power and you hope that he develops as a hitter. He’s not a natural hitter. He’s going to struggle to a certain degree, but if he figures it out, you’ve got a big-time power hitter.”

 

 

[Angrioter]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/ranking-top-power-hitters-july-2/

 

Dermis destroy the ball. I saw him in BP

[ace3113]

Do we have an agreement with Meza?

 

Yeah.

[Angrioter]

btw The Twins call up my friend Jorge Polanco from A-ball

 

Great news

[Convo]

btw The Twins call up my friend Jorge Polanco from A-ball

 

Great news

 

Congrats!

[Angrioter]

Congrats!

 

Great guy, very very good ballplayer.

 

I always told him "You should sign with Toronto"

[Angrioter]

The promotion from FSL was quite the surprise move.

Kid really can hit a lot. He destroyed Dominican Winter league at 20 years old.

[Angrioter]

BA: top-30

1 Adrian Rondon SS Dominican Republic 6’2″ 180

2 Juan De Leon OF Dominican Republic 6’1″ 175

3 Brayan Hernandez OF Venezuela 6’1″ 175

4 Anderson Espinoza RHP Venezuela 6’0″ 170

5 Gilbert Lara SS Dominican Republic 6’3″ 205

6 Nelson Gomez 3B Dominican Republic 6’2″ 210

7 Wilkerman Garcia SS Venezuela 5’11″ 170

8 Arquimedes Gamboa SS Venezuela 5’11″ 160

9 Dermis Garcia SS Dominican Republic 6’2″ 185

10 Juan Meza RHP Venezuela 6’3″ 190 Video

11 Christopher Acosta RHP Dominican Republic 6’3″ 170

12 Pedro Gonzalez SS Dominican Republic 6’4″ 160

13 Kenny Hernandez SS Venezuela 6’0″ 160

14 Huascar Ynoa RHP Dominican Republic 6’2″ 190

15 Franklin Perez RHP Venezuela 6’4″ 190 Video

16 Miguel Flames C Venezuela 6’2″ 205

17 Ricky Aracena SS Dominican Republic 5’7″ 175

18 Hyo-Joon Park SS South Korea 6’2″ 170

19 Miguel Angel Sierra SS Venezuela 6’0″ 160

20 Christopher Torres SS Dominican Republic 6’0″ 170

21 Ricardo Rodriguez C Venezuela 5’10″ 180

22 Jonathan Amundaray OF Venezuela 6’2″ 175

23 Bryan Emery OF Colombia 6’3″ 190

24 Diego Castillo SS Venezuela 5’11″ 150

25 Ronny Rafael OF Dominican Republic 6’1″ 180

26 Amado Nunez SS Dominican Republic 6’2″ 175

27 Jesus Sanchez OF Dominican Republic 6’2″ 180

28 Antonio Arias OF Venezuela 6’3″ 170

29 Daniel Brito SS Venezuela 6’1″ 140

30 Kevin Vicuna SS Venezuela 5’11″ 140

 

 

 

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-30-international-list/

[burlingtonbandit]

Anyone else we have been linked to besides Meza?

[SJE32]

No. 30 Kevin Vicuna link to the Jays

[ace3113]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-30-international-prospects-july-2/

 

Top 30 International Prospects For July 2

 

1. Adrian Rondon, ss, Dominican Republic

Born: July 7, 1998. Height: 6-2. Weight: 180. B-T: R-R.

 

Rondon is one of the youngest players in the class—he won’t be able to sign until he turns 16 on July 7—but his feel for the game is well beyond his years. When Rondon was 12, he joined Astin Jacobo’s program in San Pedro de Macoris, where they play games six days a week. He also played in the International Prospect League and established himself as an athletic, game-oriented player who can play in the middle of the diamond while excelling at the plate.

 

Some scouts consider Rondon the most advanced hitter in the class. He has good bat speed and a quick, compact stroke, showing a knack for barreling the ball with good plate coverage to make plenty of contact in games. He has good rhythm and balance with the ability to square up high-end velocity. He will chase hard breaking pitches off the plate at times, but he has a mature hitting approach for his age, working deep counts and using the whole field. He’s more of a line-drive hitter than a power threat, but there’s loft in his swing and projection in his frame, so his doubles should turn into more home runs with more strength.

Rondon also has the attributes that should allow him to stick at shortstop. He’s more of a steady defender than a flashy one, with speed and arm strength that both grade out as 50-55 tools on the 20-80 scale. Given that he’s still 15 and has a live, athletic frame, both of those tools could tick up, although that’s always tricky to project. Rondon will have to improve his footwork, but he has good hands and plays under control with a knack for slowing the game down on both sides of the ball.

Scouts highest on Rondon think he could make a rapid rise, along the lines of Starlin Castro. Sources believe the Rays are so enamored with Rondon that they are willing to shatter their international bonus pool to make sure they get him, which is why they’re seen as the favorites to sign him.

 

2. Juan De Leon, of, Dominican Republic

Born: Sept. 13, 1997. Height: 6-1. Weight: 175. B-T: R-R.

 

Raul Valera has one of the best trainer nicknames (Banana) and one of the best prospects for July 2 in De Leon, who offers a wide range of skills. A couple of years ago, De Leon had a swing-for-the-fences approach without the power to take the ball over the fence. Since then, he’s added strength and cut down on his stroke. Now De Leon has a short, efficient swing and strong wrists that help him generate the best bat speed in the class, which is why several scouts consider De Leon one of the top hitters available.

He’s an aggressive, high-energy player who flies open early at times, which leaves the outer third of the plate exposed, but when he stays with an all-fields approach he racks up plenty of hits in games. De Leon has a live, athletic body and projects to be a big, strong man. He generates backspin and already has average raw power to leave the yard in BP, with the potential to grow into plus power.

 

It’s too early to say De Leon can’t play center field, though most scouts think he’s better suited in right field, where he has the tools to be a two-way threat. He’s an average runner, so depending how much bigger he gets, he has a chance to hold his speed. With an above-average arm, the tools are there for him to be a strong defensive right fielder. De Leon, who has played in both the Dominican Prospect League and the International Prospect League, has been tied to the Yankees. Sources expect he should command at least $2 million.

 

3. Brayan Hernandez, of, Venezuela

Born: Sept. 11, 1997. Height: 6-1. Weight: 170. B-T: B-R.

 

Teams have extensive history on Hernandez. He trains with Henderson Martinez, the same trainer who had lefthander Ricardo Sanchez last year when he signed with the Angels for $580,000. Scouts identified Hernandez as the potential No. 1 guy out of Venezuela early in the process, but as 2014 approached, a problem with his right shoulder affected his throwing, his swing and created questions for some clubs. When Hernandez went to the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January, he made a strong statement by going 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, two walks and a stolen base. Hernandez hit exclusively righthanded at the event due to discomfort in his shoulder, but he’s back to switch-hitting.

 

Hernandez stands out as one of the most well-rounded players and best athletes on the international market, with four tools that could be average or better. While some scouts have had reservations about his bat, others have seen him hit in games with a simple, quiet swing, which some scouts prefer from the left side. He doesn’t have huge raw power, but he has strong, quick wrists that help him make plenty of hard contact, with a chance for 15-20 home runs. He’s shown he can drive fastballs and breaking pitches.

His speed is a tick above-average and could even improve because of his athletic frame and gliding running actions. He’s not a premium runner and his arm is below-average, so he’s not a lock to stay in center field, but he should stick there because of his strong instincts and reads off the bat. The Mariners are the favorites for Hernandez, who some believe could end up with at least $2 million.

 

4. Anderson Espinoza, rhp, Venezuela

Born: March 9, 1998. Height: 6-0. Weight: 170. B-T: R-R.

 

Francisco Rodriguez set the Venezuelan bonus record in 1998 when he signed with the Angels for $900,000. That’s how long it’s been since veteran scouts say that have seen a Venezuelan righthander with Espinoza’s size and talent. At (maybe) 6 feet, Espinoza has a Yordano Ventura frame that’s undersized by conventional scouting standards but has the best arm in the class. His fastball has steadily picked up speed over the last year, sitting in the low-90s and touching 94. With his outstanding arm speed, loose arm action and easy delivery, Espinoza has projection to throw even harder despite his smaller stature.

 

Beyond lighting up the radar gun, Espinoza separates himself from the class with his pitchability and secondary stuff. He throws slightly across his body at times but it’s a clean, repeatable delivery that helps him fill up the strike zone. His curveball has tight spin and sharp bite, a swing-and-miss offering that projects as a future plus pitch. The changeup is Espinoza’s third pitch, and while he hasn’t needed to use it much yet, he shows feel to throw it with good arm speed. He has pitched in several national and international tournaments, so his ability to set up hitters is advanced for his age. Espinoza is better—especially in terms of his delivery and ability to throw strikes—than Rangers 6-foot Dominican righthander Marcos Diplan, the top Latin American pitcher for July 2 last year. With the Red Sox believed to have heavy interest in Espinoza, who trains with Felix Luzon, that could push his price tag close to $2 million.

 

5. Gilbert Lara, ss, Dominican Republic

Born: Oct. 30, 1997. Height: 6-3. Weight: 205. B-T: R-R.

 

Lara has spent several years in the program of Enrique Soto, the Dominican trainer who was convicted of sexually assaulting two boys he had previous trained. A third player who told a Dominican TV station that Soto had sexually assaulted him was killed before the report aired. Soto was also caught in 2012 for having his son, George Soto, sign with the Mariners for $700,000 in 2007 using a fake age to appear four years younger. Soto and Jaime Ramos are splitting the commission on Lara, who has played in both the International Prospect League and the Dominican Prospect League.

 

Lara is one of the most physically mature players for 2014 and it shows in his offensive game. His plus raw power ranks second in the class only to Dominican shortstop Dermis Garcia, but Lara takes his power to the games with much higher frequency. His swing and hitting approach are unorthodox, but he has good bat speed and seems to find a way to make it work against live pitching. He’s extremely pull-oriented, starts from an upright stance with his hands up by his ear, takes a deep leg kick and unloads with a max-effort swing with some length. Despite his grip-and-rip style with a tendency to expand the strike zone and pull off the ball, Lara gets the bat head out front and has a track record of producing with power in games, including the MLB showcase in January when he went 5-for-6 with a home run, a double and two walks. Garcia may be getting by on his advanced strength and will have to make adjustments against better pitching to avoid too many strikeouts, though he shouldn’t have much trouble in Rookie ball.

Shortstop isn’t an option for Lara, who’s a below-average runner and lacks natural infield actions. He might get a chance to begin his career at third base, where he does have a quick release to make up for below-average arm strength and a funky throwing stroke. He doesn’t have great hands, range or timing in the infield though, and he’s going to be so big that most scouts consider him a first baseman or left fielder exclusively. Usually scouts are cautious about righthanded-hitting Dominican teenagers who project as first baseman, but there’s enough offensive upside with Lara that scouts still consider him one of the better 2014 prospects. Sources expect the Brewers to make Lara their centerpiece signing, with a possible bonus in the $3 million territory that would rank among the highest in the class.

 

6. Nelson Gomez, 3b, Dominican Republic

Born: Oct. 8, 1997. Height: 6-2. Weight: 210. B-T: R-R.

 

Gomez was a high-profile player coming into the year after playing in the Under Armour All-America game at Wrigley Field in August 2013. He struggled there against older competition, but back in his comfort zone in Dominican Prospect League games, he has shown outstanding power for his age. Gomez, who trains with Victor Baez, has at least plus raw power that ranks only behind Dermis Garcia and Gilbert Lara this year. He has good bat speed and packs plenty of strength into a heavy, big-boned frame, putting on an impressive display in batting practice with power to all fields. Scouts highest on Gomez say he puts together quality at-bats and usually stays within the strike zone with solid breaking ball recognition for his age. He’s at his best when he keeps his swing short, though he can fall in love with his power and get big at times, which leads to some swing and miss. Some scouts have questions about how the bat will play at higher levels, but right now he’s shown he can barrel stuff up in games.

 

Gomez is a third baseman and figures to start his career at the position, where his plus arm is a weapon. Gomez may have the hands for the position, but he’s not the most agile or athletic guy and his already big frame limits his range, with several scouts predicting a move to first base or perhaps left field. He has worked hard to try to trim down and improve his quickness, although he’s always going to have to keep an eye on his conditioning and could end up with size along the lines of Juan Francisco. The Yankees have had a strong scouting presence on Gomez and look like the leaders to sign him, with a bonus likely north of $2 million.

 

7. Wilkerman Garcia, ss, Venezuela

Born: April 1, 1998. Height: 5-11. Weight: 170. B-T: L-R.

 

Garcia is the top position player at Carlos Guillen’s academy. As a Venezuelan switch-hitter with a thick build, a high baseball IQ and a mature hitting approach, Garcia shares some similarities with Guillen. Garcia draws widespread praise for his hitting with good bat-to-ball skills and a sound swing from both sides of the plate. He uses the whole field, knowing when to turn on a ball to drive it and when to go to the opposite field when he’s pitched away. Garcia has a compact frame with a wide back and broad shoulders, so there’s strength projection there. He’s mostly a gap hitter now, with more power from the left side and a chance to grow into average power. While some hitters get caught up swinging for the fences, Garcia knows his game is to hit line drives and get on base, so he stays within his approach and doesn’t overswing.

 

Garcia is widely considered one of the top prospects this year, but scouts came away with differing reports on some of his pure tools. Part of that may be Garcia’s style of play. Some see him as a low-energy player, others see him as a calm player who slows the game down. Another part is that scouts felt was Garcia not playing at full speed at some high-profile workouts. At the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January, Garcia ran the 60-yard dash in 7.1 seconds, which is below-average. Yet other scouts have seen him running 6.8. He has wide hips and thick legs and ankles, so he might not hold all of his speed. He’s shown a fringy arm for some teams, but other clubs have seen above-average arm strength. Garcia has his believers that he can be a bigger-bodied shortstop with good field awareness, instincts and solid actions. Yet most scouts seem to think his lateral quickness and footwork would make fit better at second or third base, while some have wondered what he would look like at catcher.

 

Between his frame, skill set and some of the curious showings at showcases, Garcia has some similarities to Venezuelan shortstop Gleyber Torres, who signed with the Cubs for $1.7 million last year. Garcia’s bonus should be lower, with the Yankees the favorites to sign him.

 

8. Arquimedes Gamboa, ss, Venezuela

Born: Sept. 23, 1997. Height: 5-11. Weight: 160. B-T: B-R.

 

When a player’s bonus starts approaching the seven-figure territory, there are usually 25-29 teams that think the team that signed him overpaid. Several scouts believe Gamboa, who could get close to $1 million but might not even crack that mark, could end up one of the better values at the top of the market.

Gamboa is one of the best athletes in the class and projects to play in the middle of the diamond, with the potential to be a good defensive shortstop. He’s a quick-twitch athlete with plus speed and nice actions at shortstop, where he’s light on his feet with adept body control and good hands. His arm is average and has a chance to get better with more strength, though his accuracy needs work. Scouts like Gamboa’s live body and, while he’s physically weak, his already impressive tool set has a chance to improve with natural strength progression.

 

The biggest question on Gamboa is how much impact he will have at the plate, but scouts highest on him like his swing and have seen him perform in games (he went 1-for-3 with three walks at the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January). He’s a switch-hitter who’s better from the left side, with a loose, contact-oriented stroke. He puts the ball in play and sprays the ball around the field with occasional pop to the gaps. Power won’t be a big part of his game, but he has the chance to grow into 8-12 home runs. He could develop into a player along the lines of Braves middle infielder Jose Peraza, a fellow Venezuelan. The Phillies have had a heavy scouting presence on Gamboa, who trains with Dennys Lionett, and look to be in the lead to sign him.

 

9. Dermis Garcia, ss, Dominican Republic

Born: Jan. 7, 1998. Height: 6-2. Weight: 185. B-T: R-R.

 

Moreno Tejada’s program in San Pedro de Macoris has produced some of the top recent Dominican power hitters, including Miguel Sano (Twins) in 2009 and Micker Adolfo (White Sox) last year. His latest slugger is Garcia, who has gigantic raw power. Garcia is strong, generates huge loft and puts on a fireworks display in batting practice, with 70 raw power that rates as the best in the class. The question every scout seems to have is whether Garcia can make the adjustments to get to his power in games. Mechanically, his swing is easier and looser than Gilbert Lara’s, but he hasn’t had the same level of game performance. Garcia can crush a mistake, but he often sells out for power, flying open early and getting caught off balance with a fair dose of swing-and-miss in his game, which some think is tied to pitch recognition and plate discipline.

 

While Garcia won’t play shortstop, he’s a better defender than Lara and has a chance to play third base, depending how big he gets. He has a plus arm, though he needs to dial it back at times to improve his accuracy, and his hands should work at third base. He doesn’t have Adolfo’s athleticism, but he’s run average times in the 60-yard dash, though he will slow down as he gets bigger. He might get so big that he ends up in right field. He’s not at tall as Brewers shortstop Jacob Gatewood, who signed for $1.83 million this year out of high school as a supplemental first-round pick, but his skill set has some similarities as a raw hitter with big power and arm strength. The Yankees are the strong favorites Garcia, who is expected to be among the top paid players for July 2.

 

10. Juan Meza, rhp, Venezuela

Born: Feb. 4, 1998. Height: 6-3. Weight: 190. B-T: R-R.

 

In 2012, Carlos Guillen’s academy produced righthander Jose Mujica, who signed with the Rays for $1 million. This year, after Anderson Espinoza, the two best pitchers in Venezuela come from Guillen’s academy, including Meza. He was one of the most effective pitchers at the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January, when he struck out three batters in a scoreless inning.

 

With a large, projectable build and strong legs, Meza attacks hitters with downhill angle on a lively fastball that ranges from 88-91 mph. At times he has worked at lower speeds, but the physical projection and arm speed are there for him to throw harder within a few years. Meza has good arm action, a sound delivery and throws strikes. His low-80s changeup has good sink and fade to keep hitters off his fastball. He’s still learning to repeat his release point on the changeup, but it’s a projectable pitch and he maintains his arm speed. Meza’s curveball is the pitch that will need the most work. He has some feel to spin the breaking ball, but it does get slurvy. Scouts highest on Meza see the potential for three average or better pitches, which combined with his size and pitchability makes for a starter profile. The Blue Jays are the favorites for Meza, who should be in line for a seven-figure bonus.

[ace3113]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-30-international-prospects-july-2/

 

11. Christopher Acosta, rhp, Dominican Republic

Born: Jan. 15, 1998. Height: 6-3. Weight: 170. B-T: R-R.

 

It’s rare for scouts to describe a 16-year-old Dominican pitching prospect as polished, but Acosta fits that label. While most pitchers at the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January struggled to repeat their deliveries or locate the strike zone, Acosta worked quickly and efficiently, striking out four batters over two innings without allowing a hit or a walk. That advanced feel for pitching has helped Acosta, who trains with Alberto “Chico” Fana and pitches in the Dominican Prospect League, separate himself as the top pitching prospect in the Dominican Republic.

 

Acosta has a strong combination of savvy and stuff. With his long, lanky build, Acosta has room to easily add at least 20-30 pounds. His fastball already touches the low-90s with good movement and should spike up. He has one of the best changeups in the class, giving him a second lively pitch that he throws more frequently than most pitchers his age. Acosta throws from a low three-quarters arm slot, which causes him to get wide with his curveball, so the breaking ball is the pitch that will need the most attention in pro ball. If that pitch comes along, he could have three average to plus pitches and project as a starter. The Red Sox are the most likely destination for Acosta.

 

12. Pedro Gonzalez, ss, Dominican Republic

Born: Oct. 27, 1997. Height: 6-4. Weight: 160. B-T: R-R.

 

Gonzalez is the most fascinating player in the class, combining tantalizing upside with a unique frame and skill set that makes him one of the most difficult players to peg. Gonzalez could go many different ways depending on what happens with his extremely long, skinny build. He has a narrow frame, a high waist, huge hands and feet. He looks like he has room to add at least 50 pounds, which would dramatically transform his projection, but it’s difficult for scouts to determine how much weight and strength he’s going to gain. There’s even a chance he could grow taller.

 

Despite his long levers, Gonzalez is remarkably coordinated for his size and has strong baseball acumen. In batting practice, he doesn’t overswing and stays short to the ball. Sometimes he carries that swing into games, but with his long arms, he’s always going to have to work to maintain his stroke. Overall his swing is fluid and fairly quiet. He’s worked to reduce a hitch while trying to find the right balance between a proper load to drive the pitch and staying compact. He stays behind the ball and lifts it, using the whole field with backspin. There is some swing-and-miss to his game, but he makes adjustments within an at-bat and shows a knack for centering the baseball with hard contact. His inconsistency at the plate may be due in part to a lack of strength, but the ball jumps off his bat for a gangly kid. He can reach the warning track with occasional over-the-fence pop, with the chance to grow into a lot more power once he adds muscle. He has a mature approach with solid strike-zone judgment.

 

Gonzalez should begin his career as a shortstop. He plays under control and makes all the routine plays. He has good body control for his size with clean hands and a quick, smooth transfer. He has some funkiness in his throwing stroke, but he has an accurate, average arm. There just aren’t many shortstops built like Gonzalez, and he’s already a fringy runner without great quickness or range, none of which is likely to improve. As a tall guy, he tends to play a bit upright, but he has good actions and a lot of scouts believe he can play third base. Others think an outfield corner might happen.

 

There are a lot of “ifs” to Gonzalez’s game, most of them depending on where he goes physically. He’s a smart player on and off the field who already speaks fluent English. Gonzalez, who has trained with Amauris Nina and plays in the International Prospect League, has been linked to the Rockies.

 

13. Kenny Hernandez, ss/3b, Venezuela

Born: Aug. 13, 1998. Height: 6-0. Weight: 160. B-T: L-R.

 

At 15, Hernandez is so young that he’s less than a few weeks away from being a 2015 player. A member of Carlos Guillen’s academy, Hernandez has one of the best pure swings in the class. His hands are quick and short to the ball with a classic smooth lefty stroke. He has good bat speed, stays balanced and keeps the barrel in the hitting zone a long time, which helps him make plenty of contact. Several scouts believe he’s one of the best hitters available. It’s mostly gap power now, but his swing has good finish and he projects to be big, strong and grow into average or better power.

 

Hitting comes more naturally than fielding for Hernandez, who would draw more excitement if he had louder tools or athleticism. He has showcased all over the infield, but he doesn’t project at shortstop, fitting best at either third base or second, with third base most likely. He’s a below-average runner and showed a below-average arm early in the year, but as he’s gotten stronger, he has started to flash an above-average arm. Hernandez can’t sign until he turns 16 on Aug. 13, at which point sources expect the Mets to make an aggressive push for him.

 

14. Huascar Ynoa, rhp, Dominican Republic

Born: May 28, 1998. Height: 6-2. Weight: 190. B-T: R-R.

 

Michael Ynoa set an international amateur record as a 16-year-old in 2008 when he signed with Oakland for $4.25 million, which is still the bonus record for a pitcher. Younger brother Huascar, who also trains with Edgar Mercedes, entered the year with the industry expectation that he would be the No. 1 pitcher in the Dominican Republic and perhaps all of Latin America. After Ynoa looked sharp at the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January with four strikeouts in two innings, scouts have been scratching their heads at his up-and-down performances, including a couple of International Prospect League outings in Arizona in March when his control and breaking ball weren’t as crisp as usual.

 

When Ynoa is at his best, he looks like the top pitcher on the market. He throws 88-92 mph, though he’s already relatively filled out for his age, so there are questions on how much his fastball will grow. At times, Ynoa has two out-pitches that can freeze hitters, including a mid-70s curveball with good depth and a low-80s changeup with good arm speed that can be a swing-and-miss pitch, already flashing as a 50-55 offering. He keeps hitters off balance by throwing any pitch in any count.

 

Ynoa has plenty of experience on the mound and pitched in the Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, Md., in 2011, but his inconsistent showings have given scouts reservations. He has some shoulder tilt in is delivery, which causes him to get uphill and gives him trouble keeping the ball down and in the strike zone. He does stay on line to the plate and he isn’t a max-effort thrower, but he will need to smooth out his delivery when he gets to pro ball.

 

No pitcher draws a wider split of opinions than Ynoa, and even scouts who have seen him a lot aren’t sure what to make of him. His biggest believers think he has the chance to be a frontline starter. Ynoa’s market will be one of the more fascinating ones to follow, since it’s not clear where he might end up.

 

15. Franklin Perez, rhp, Venezuela

Born: Dec. 6, 1997. Height: 6-4. Weight: 200. B-T: R-R.

 

Perez had been training in Carlos Guillen’s academy as a third baseman, where his arm was easily his best tool. When Perez moved to the mound, his stock took off, giving Guillen two of the top pitchers on the market between Perez and righthander Juan Meza. Perez pitched in youth leagues, so he isn’t completely new to pitching, and he’s taken to it quickly. He looked sharp at the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January, throwing a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

 

While Meza is more polished, Perez has a chance to be a power arm. He throws 88-91 mph but has the big, physical frame that leads scouts to believe he will throw in the mid-90s or higher within a few years. He delivers his fastball with strong finish and steep downhill plane. Perez’s fastball is his best pitch, but he already shows feel to spin a curveball with top-to-bottom action that could be a weapon when he’s able to harness it in the zone. Since he’s relatively new to the mound, Perez is still learning to repeat his delivery and hone his feel for pitching, but he’s already a solid strike-thrower for his experience level. The Astros appear to be in the lead to land Perez.

 

16. Miguel Flames, c, Venezuela

Born: Sept. 14, 1997. Height: 6-2. Weight: 205. B-T: R-R.

 

Flames put himself on the map last summer with a great showing at a Venezuelan national tournament. Flames is bigger and more physically mature than most kids his age, so he had been a third baseman coming into the year, with questions about whether his heavy body type would allow him to stay at the position. Then in September, he started catching, and while it’s questionable whether he can stick behind the plate, it’s added a new dimension to his value. The main draw with Flames, however, is his offensive game. Scouts who like Flames say he hits in games and takes quality at-bats thanks to his pitch recognition and ability to stay within the strike zone. At times he pulls off the ball, which leads to some swing and miss, as he’s learning to keep his hands through the baseball, but for some scouts he’s one of the best hitters in Venezuela. He makes hard contact, with average to a tick better raw power that ranks among the best in the class.

 

Like Dominican third baseman Nelson Gomez, Flames has a thick build, little speed or athleticism, with a body type that will push the limits of catching. He’s a quick learner but is understandably raw on defense. He showed solid hands and a plus arm at third base, so there are some attributes that should translate behind the plate. Some scouts didn’t want to give up on him at third base, so that might be an option if catching doesn’t work , though others thought he might end up big enough that first base would be his fallback option. With the Yankees believed to be high on Flames, they look like the favorites.

 

17. Ricky Aracena, ss, Dominican Republic

Born: Oct. 22, 1997. Height: 5-7. Weight: 175. B-T: B-R.

 

No player on the market has more tools per square inch than Aracena, who may be shorter than 5-foot-7 but has one of the best combinations of tools and skills available. Aracena doesn’t look or play the game like the typical 16-year-old Dominican prospect. He’s small but strong with a thick lower half, resembling a slightly bigger version of Jose Altuve. Scouts marvel at how polished and instinctive he is in all facets of the game. Aracena hits well against live pitching with a short, simple swing that produces hard line drives from both sides of the plate. He has surprising sock for his size. There are times when he swings like he’s 7-foot-5 instead of 5-foot-7, but mostly he stays within his strengths and uses the middle of the field, with a chance for 6-10 home runs per year. He doesn’t have a big strike zone and he doesn’t expand it by chasing.

 

Aracena is a hard-nosed, fiery grinder but he has big tools as well. He’s a plus runner, although given his compact frame there are questions about how much of his speed he will retain. Although a lot of teams see Aracena as a second baseman, he has an above-average arm, so he has a chance to stay at shortstop in the mold of Milwaukee’s Jean Segura. Small but talented infielders like Toronto’s Franklin Barreto and Boston’s Wendell Rijo have looked like smart investments for their organizations in recent years. Aracena isn’t at the same level as Barreto, but he has the potential to hit at the top of the order and play a premium position. Aracena, who trains with “Felo” and plays in the Dominican Prospect League, looks like the top target this year for the Royals.

 

19. Hyo-Joon Park, ss, South Korea

Born: April 7, 1996. Height: 6-2. Weight: 170. B-T: L-R.

 

Teams never sign the top high school players out of Japan, so the Pacific Rim market is hit or miss every year depending on whether there’s a top player available from South Korea, Taiwan or Australia. This year one of the top international amateur players is Park, who spent time in California with his Yatap High teammates. At 18, Park is older than the 16-year-old Latin American players, but even for his age he’s a polished, fundamentally sound player with impressive tools and quick-twitch athleticism. He has a wiry frame and plus speed, even showing his wheels despite an ankle issue. He projects as a shortstop with a quick first step, fluid body control and a plus arm.

 

Park also stands out at the plate for his bat control and ability to hit to all fields. His hitting style isn’t a full slap-and-run style like a lot of Asian hitters, but he does have some lunge in his swing and will pull off the ball. He hasn’t faced much high-caliber pitching in South Korea, so some scouts aren’t sure yet how he will adapt, but he showed he could handle good velocity during his time in the United States. He can put a surprising charge into the ball for someone without a ton of strength and has shown he can leave the yard in games, but his game will be more about line drives and getting on base. Most sources believe he will end up with the Yankees.

 

19. Miguel Angel Sierra, ss, Venezuela

Born: Dec. 2, 1997. Height: 6-0. Weight: 160. B-T: R-R.

 

Sierra might not light up the tools chart on an evaluation, but scouts across the league are confident he can stick at shortstop and rave about how his instincts and feel are among the most advanced in the class. The wiry, thin-boned Sierra is one of the most fundamentally sound players available, especially in the field. He positions himself well, gets good reads off the bat and has fluid actions with his hands and footwork. He’s an average runner who isn’t flashy in the field, but he’s a smart player who plays under control and slows the game down. His arm is fringy, but scouts think he’ll have more carry on his throws with physical maturity and once he learns to stay on top of the ball.

 

As a savvy player whose steady tools play up because of a high baseball IQ, Sierra has some similarities to Venezuelan shortstop Yeltsin Gudino, who signed with the Blue Jays last year for $1.29 million, but Gudino is ahead of Sierra at the plate. Some scouts see a comfortable swing and a player who takes good at-bats with contact skills, while others think Sierra’s stroke tends to get uphill and believe the bat will need time to catch up to his defense. He performed well at the MLB showcase in San Pedro de Macoris in January, going 4-for-8 with a double, two walks and two strikeouts. Sierra just has fair bat speed and he doesn’t have the strength projection of Wilkerman Garcia or Kenny Hernandez, so his game will have to be more about line drives and getting on base than power. The Astros have been tied to Sierra, who trains with Gustavo Salazar.

 

20. Christopher Torres, ss, Dominican Republic

Born: Feb. 6, 1998. Height: 6-0. Weight: 170. B-T: B-R.

 

Torres played in both the Dominican Prospect League and the International Prospect League, training with Orlando Mazara in the northern region of the Dominican Republic up in Santiago. That can be a tricky area to scout, since it’s not near where teams have their academies. Most clubs regard Torres as a solid prospect who can play in the middle of the diamond and does some things well (especially on defense) with steady tools that play up because of his instincts, though others say he doesn’t get enough credit for his pure tools. Some project him as a true shortstop with the potential for above-average defense. Torres has clean hands, fluid actions and a nose for the ball with alert reads off the bat. He has a solid, accurate arm with the ability to make throws from different angles. His speed is about average, and with his lower half getting heavier, some scouts think his first-step quickness and feet might be better suited at second base.

 

There’s more division on Torres’ offensive potential, though most scouts consider him a defensive-oriented player. He does work the count with a sense for the strike zone. He has his believers with the bat, showing good hand-eye coordination, decent bat-to-ball skills and an improving stroke from the left side. Most scouts felt he’s going to have to smooth some things out to be able to hit. Torres can work the gaps, but his power will always be limited. Jorge Polanco, another smooth-fielding, switch-hitting Dominican shortstop, had a similar skill set when he signed with the Twins in 2009, and Torres could develop into that type of player. Where Torres will sign has become one of the more intriguing developments. While the belief early was that the Yankees would sign him, now his outlook is more muddled. Some sources believe the Mariners could make a run at him.

[Angrioter]

No. 30 Kevin Vicuna link to the Jays

 

Dominican > Venezuelan

[ace3113]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-30-international-prospects-july-2/

 

21. Ricardo Rodriguez, c, Venezuela

Born: Dec. 20, 1997. Height: 5-10. Weight: 180. B-T: R-R.

 

Teams are always on watch for catchers in Venezuela, be it players currently behind the dish or slower-footed players at other positions who could move there. This year, Venezuela has Miguel Flames, who moved from third base to catcher toward the end of last year, but there are questions about where he will end up defensively. Among players who project to stay at the position, several scouts believe Rodriguez is the best catcher on the market. There’s no major plus tool with Rodriguez, who might not have star upside but is solid across the board.

 

Some catchers jump out immediately for plus-plus arm strength, but Rodriguez is more of a steady defender with a solid-average arm. Scouts generally liked his catch-and-throw skills, with the ability to block and receive without many worries about a position change. There were times where balls bounced off his glove, but that can be cleaned up with normal development and he gets high marks for being a smart, heady player that will help him handle all the challenges that come with catching. If Rodriguez gets to the big leagues, he probably will hit toward the bottom of the order. He has a decent swing with some strength and a chance to hit for average power, although he doesn’t have the most projectable frame. There’s some natural lift to his swing and he needs to tighten his strike-zone management, so his offensive game will probably be power over on-base skills. Rodriguez trains with Ciro Barrios and looks like one of the top targets for the Padres.

 

22. Jonathan Amundaray, of, Venezuela

Born: May 11, 1998. Height: 6-2. Weight: 175. B-T: R-R.

 

From a purely physical standpoint, Amundaray looks like what scouts want in a corner outfielder. He has wide shoulders on a lean, tapered frame and is an imposing presence who should grow into an even bigger, more physical player. He’s a good athlete for his size and he does have some tools, but there’s also a lot of rawness to his game that he’s going to have to iron out. Amundaray has good bat speed with a slight uppercut and average raw power that has a chance to be plus in the future. He’s going to have to make adjustments to get to his power. He has a decent stroke, but he doesn’t have an innate feel for hitting, with some length to his swing and inconsistent bat-to-ball skills. He is athletic, which may bode well for his ability to make the necessary adjustments to hit.

 

Amundaray has defensive tools but there’s crudeness to that part of his game as well. He’s a corner outfielder with solid-average speed. Between how big he figures to get and a running gait that isn’t the easiest, those wheels will slow down. Scouts have reported seeing inconsistent arm strength from him, and while it’s not the loosest, cleanest throwing stroke, some have seen him flash an above-average arm that could fit in right field. Amundaray won’t immediately light up Rookie ball, but his size, tools and athleticism make him an intriguing project if his game skills and instincts can catch up. The Yankees have been tied to a handful of Venezuelan players who have played in the International Prospect League in the Dominican Republic, including Amundaray, who trains with Dennys Suarez. They are the favorites to sign him.

 

23. Bryan Emery, of, Colombia

Born: March 5, 1998. Height: 6-3. Weight: 190. B-T: B-R.

 

Teams are seeing prospects in the Dominican Republic playing in more games than ever. Ivan Noboa, who got an international amateur record $4.95 million bonus for Nomar Mazara from the Rangers (along with more money in a package deal for other players), runs his program the opposite way. Scouts say it’s difficult to get many game looks on Emery, who Noboa imported from Colombia, especially outside of Noboa’s small field. Several scouts believe that approach has stunted Emery’s development, but he has impressive size, tools and a sweet lefty swing. Emery is a switch-hitter, though he may just drop his righthanded stroke and hit exclusively lefthanded after signing. He packs a lot of strength into his frame, generating easy power in BP. Judging Emery’s pop in the small park where he trains can be deceptive, but there’s at least average or better raw power there. While the smooth lefty stroke seems like it should translate against live pitching, there are still a lot of empty swings in games and his ability to put together quality at-bats is inconsistent. It may just be a matter of needing game experience.

 

Emery has showcased all over the diamond. He won’t play shortstop and there’s an outside chance he could play third base, but infield doesn’t come naturally to him and he tends to field on his heels. His best bet is right field. He has quick-twitch athleticism and is around an average runner with an awkward stride. He has an above-average arm, though his instincts and reads off the bat in right field will need refinement. He’s more advanced and has better tools than Indians outfielder Hector Caro, whose $1.1 million bonus from the Indians two years ago after training with Noboa didn’t match the consensus on his talent. There’s breakout potential given the swing and tool package, but it may take him time for his game skills to catch up. Some clubs think the Yankees are going to try to sign Emery.

 

24. Diego Castillo, ss, Venezuela

Born: Oct. 28, 1997. Height: 5-11. Weight: 150. B-T: R-R.

 

Venezuelan players often stand out for their game skills more than their raw tools, and Castillo—who some believe is one of the most underrated players available—fits that bill, with the ability to stay in the middle of the infield. Castillo is one of the most intelligent players in Latin America. He slows the game down, playing calmly and under control in all phases of the game. He has a short, repeatable swing with a clean bat path and good barrel control. Castillo understands the strike zone and uses the whole field, spraying line drives to all fields with the ability to stay back on pitches and inside-out the ball to right field. He has occasional pull power, but he mostly works the gaps right now because he lacks strength. He doesn’t project to hit for much power, with maybe 6-10 home runs per year.

 

With average speed and at least average arm strength, Castillo isn’t a tooled up, premium athlete who bounces around at shortstop, but he’s one of the most fundamentally sound players at the position with an excellent internal clock. He positions himself well, gets good reads off the bat and fields groundballs cleanly with smooth hands and nice footwork. In a worst-case scenario, Castillo would move to second base, but he has the ability to stay at shortstop, especially if his tools tick up with strength. There are players with bigger upside, but Castillo’s advanced skills and gamer mentality should allow for a smooth transition to pro ball and endear him to managers. Castillo, who trains with Jose Montero and has played in the International Prospect League in the Dominican Republic, looks like one of the top targets for the Yankees.

 

25. Ronny Rafael, of, Dominican Republic

Born: Oct. 14, 1997. Height: 6-1. Weight: 180. B-T: R-R.

 

Like Pedro Gonzalez, Rafael has trained with Amauris Nina and played in the International Prospect League. They’re on opposite ends of the tools-skills spectrum, with Gonzalez the instinctive, game-savvy player who needs to gain weight, while Rafael is the strength-based tools guy who’s still learning feel for the game. Rafael packs solid quick-twitch athleticism into a stout, compact frame. That strength gives him an advanced tool set for his age, especially with his power. He has good bat speed, at least average raw power and makes hard contact when he does connect. Among high-profile prospects, Rafael has one of the highest swing-and-miss rates, which was evident at the MLB showcase in January in San Pedro de Macoris. He spins off and needs to improve his plate coverage to handle pitches on the outer half and cut down on his strikeouts. He’s a free swinger whose pitch recognition needs work, so his offensive profile projects to be power over OBP.

 

Rafael is built low to the ground and doesn’t have a long, gliding stride, but he runs well for his frame with solid-average speed. He might start his career in center field, but retaining his speed and playing that position long-term seems like a stretch. He has the tools to be a quality defender in right field between his athleticism and strong arm. While performance hasn’t been there consistently for Rafael, he can look good if you see him on the right day, with tools to work with if he can make the adjustments to improve his game skills. While the scouting consensus has Gonzalez ahead of Rafael, there’s a chance Rafael could get a bigger bonus, with the Astros looking like the favorites.

 

26. Amado Nunez, ss, Dominican Republic

Born: Oct. 10, 1997. Height: 6-2. Weight: 175. B-T: R-R.

 

There are a handful of Cuban players who work out in the northern region of the Dominican Republic up in Santiago, including Rusney Castillo. Nunez, who trains with Aldo Marrero, is part of a group of Dominican prospects for July 2 who practice with them. Nunez doesn’t have flashy tools, so some scouts who didn’t see as much game performance came away with more reservations, but others liked his offensive potential and overall baseball acumen. He’s a bigger-bodied, athletic shortstop who has a chance to hit with projectable power. Nunez has some whip in his stroke and stays inside the ball with good balance and a quiet swing. He uses the whole field with gap power that should improve as he gets stronger.

 

Most scouts wonder whether Nunez will outgrow shortstop and eventually slide over to third. He will likely start his career at shortstop and there are some scouts who believe he has a chance to stay there. He’s an average runner with good hands who can field routine plays smoothly. He has good body control, but he’s not going to be a rangy defender. At times his accuracy has escaped him but he has a quick release with an average arm that could get better and should fit on the left side of the infield. Nunez has represented the Dominican Republic at international tournaments and draws praise from scouts for being a smart player. Sources believe the White Sox are the best bet to land Nunez.

 

27. Jesus Sanchez, of, Dominican Republic

Born: Oct. 7, 1997. Height: 6-2. Weight: 180. B-T: L-R.

 

Sanchez wasn’t a name generating much buzz early in the evaluation process, when he was a switch-hitter who weighed 150 pounds. As Sanchez started filling out his frame and started hitting exclusively lefthanded, his stock started to rise with impressive showings in front of some teams in games. The bat is the calling card for Sanchez. He has a good eye, recognizes pitches and lays off balls outside the strike zone. When he does swing he stays inside the ball with a loose, line-drive swing and good bat control, going with where the ball is pitched and using the whole field. Sanchez has strong wrists and the ball jumps off his bat pretty well, but he doesn’t have the giant raw power of some of the other top Dominican prospects this year. His doubles pop should turn into more home runs because of the strength projection in his frame, which should hold another 20-40 pounds.

 

Sanchez doesn’t have any plus tools right now, but he’s a solid athlete and an average runner. He has showcased in center field, but he doesn’t project to play there long term. With a 45 arm, he will probably settle into left field. Julio Martinez is another intriguing Dominican corner outfielder who drew some attention this year for his offensive potential, but Sanchez is a lefty hitter with a little more athleticism. Sources say Sanchez, who trains with Tony Mota and the Global Sports Group as well as Rudy Santin, has drawn strong interest from the Rays, who look like the leaders to land him.

 

28. Antonio Arias, of, Venezuela

Born: June 12, 1998. Height: 6-3. Weight: 170. B-T: R-R.

 

Arias, who trains with Yassir Mendez, was among a group of Venezuelan prospects including Brayan Hernandez, Jonathan Amundaray and Diego Castillo who traveled to the Dominican Republic last October to play in the International Prospect League. The trip seemed to boost the stock for all of those players, with sources saying it made a particularly strong impression on the Yankees, who look like the leaders for Arias, Castillo and Amundaray. Arias just turned 16 in June, so he’s one of the younger players in the 2014 class. That’s evident in his skinny frame and raw baseball skills, but his athleticism, speed and physical projection are intriguing.

 

Arias has plenty of room to fill out his tall, wiry frame. He’s one of the better athletes in Latin America, with plus speed that he should be able to maintain as he adds weight to stay in center field, although he doesn’t have much arm strength. He flashes solid bat speed and power potential, but everything about Arias is physical projection. At times, he shows feel for the barrel and can keep his swing short with good bat path and extension. There are other times when he gets out of sync and struggles to make contact, which was the case when he went to MLB’s international showcase in the Dominican Republic in January. Arias’ game skills are still crude and may take time to develop, but there’s breakout potential for a power-speed threat.

 

29. Daniel Brito, ss, Venezuela

Born: Jan. 25, 1998. Height: 6-1. Weight: 140. B-T: L-R.

 

MLB never invited Brito to its Venezuelan national showcases or its international showcase in the Dominican Republic in January, so he hasn’t had the widespread exposure that some inferior players with more powerful trainers have been able to get. Brito has a frail build and should see his tools improve with much-needed strength. He has impressed some scouts with his ability to hit in games with a flat, line-drive swing. His bat speed is just fair, but he has good hand-eye coordination, keeps his hands short to the ball and understands how to use the middle of the field. He lacks the strength to hit for power now and may need to tone down a leg kick that doesn’t seem suited for his game.

 

Brito is an average runner with good hands and footwork at shortstop. He has an average, accurate arm with adequate range for the position, though that will depend on his physical development. Brito is a good athlete who has a chance to stay at shortstop, though others think he may end up in center field or second base as he advances. Brito trains with Alexis Salcedo (the trainer who had Wilson Ramos) and is represented by Steward Salazar. International sources believe the Phillies are the leading candidate for Brito.

 

30. Kevin Vicuna, ss, Venezuela

Born: Jan. 14, 1998. Height: 5-11. Weight: 140. B-T: R-R.

 

Two of the best defensive shortstops last year, Joan Mauricio and Yonauris Rodriguez, came from the Dominican Republic, with Mauricio getting $600,000 from the Astros and Rodriguez $570,000 from the Yankees. Both were skinny kids who gave scouts pause about how much they would hit, but the early results at the plate have been promising for both players in the Dominican Summer League. This year one of the best defensive players available is Vicuna, another skinny shortstop with easy actions and offensive question marks, whose bonus is likely to be in the same range.

 

Vicuna is slightly built, so he doesn’t have any loud tools, but scouts are drawn to the way he moves at shortstop. He is light on his feet, bouncing around the position with a nose for the ball and vacuum hands. He’s a smooth fielder with a quick transfer. Vicuna has the range for shortstop with more quickness than speed, as he’s a slightly below-average runner. Any team that signs him will be banking on his speed and below-average arm getting better with more strength so he can stay at shortstop. Vicuna’s glove is ahead of his hitting. While his bat speed has improved, he lacks strength to do much damage. He has a leg kick and an uppercut approach that he will have to simplify. Vicuna is very much a physical projection, though some scouts consider him on par with fellow Venezuelan shortstop Miguel Angel Sierra. He trains at Carlos Guillen’s academy and has been linked to the Blue Jays.

[ace3113]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/top-30-international-prospects-july-2/

 

MORE PROSPECTS TO WATCH

 

These players didn’t crack the Top 30, but they’re worth knowing, either for their talent or the bonuses they’re expected to receive. Check back throughout the day as we add more reports here for BA subscribers.

 

CATCHERS

 

In the Mexican League, the Mexico City Red Devils have Juan Uriarte, who some think is the best prospect in Mexico this year. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Uriarte has a strong arm and quick, compact stroke. He’s a gap-to-gap hitter from the right side with solid power projection for the position, where he should stay because of his arm strength, blocking skills and footwork. It looks like the Mets are the leaders to land him.

 

Jorge Alfaro of the Rangers has become one of the top catching prospects in baseball thanks to his power, premium arm strength and uncanny athleticism for a catcher. Young brother Jhoandro Alfaro doesn’t have Jorge’s raw power or athletic build, but he’s more advanced as a receiver than Jorge was when he signed. Alfaro, a Colombian who has been training in the Dominican Republic, has at least a plus arm with good actions behind the plate. He’s grown taller and improved his conditioning over the last several months and is now around 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, with a switch-hitting bat that some think needs to catch up to his defense. The White Sox have been connected to Alfaro.

 

Out of Venezuela, Javier Guevara is a good athlete for a catcher at 6 feet, 170 pounds. Some scouts had questions about his righthanded bat, but he should stick at the position. He has good lateral mobility behind the plate and a strong, accurate arm that plays up because he gets rid of the ball quickly. The Rockies have been connected to Guevara.

 

Another Venezuelan catcher, Brandon Benavente, also projects to stick behind the plate with good receiving skills. At 6 feet, 200 pounds, he’s going to have to keep his heavy body type in check, but he’s a solid catch-and-throw guy, if not the most mobile. He’s a righthanded hitter with a decent swing and solid sock to take the ball to the fence in BP, although scouts consider his defense ahead of his bat. Sources believe the Astros are the favorites for Benavente.

 

Earlier on there was talk that Venezuelan catcher Lenin Rodriguez could get a mid-to-high six-figures bonus, though more recently the word is he will end up in low six-figure territory. At 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, Rodriguez is an endomorph who’s body could push the limits of catching, where his blocking and receiving will need a lot of work, though he does have a good arm. If he can stay behind the plate, he has a chance to be an offensive-oriented catcher because of his compact righthanded swing and feel for hitting. Rodriguez has been closely connected with the Phillies.

 

SHORTSTOPS

 

Yeremy Rosario hasn’t been seen by many teams in 2014, but he’s expected to be one of the better-paid shortstops in the Dominican Republic this year. Most of his tools project to be around average, except for his speed, which is plus. At a wiry 6 feet, 160 pounds, Rosario runs well and has a knack for making contact in games with a fluid line-drive stroke and a hard-nosed style. He should have the footwork and glove to play in the middle of the infield. Rosario has been connected to the Rockies.

 

Some scouts think the best player in Panama is shortstop Jonathan Arauz. He’s a switch-hitter who’s better from the left side with gap power. He’s not a big runner but he has a chance to stay at shortstop thanks to his smooth hands and a 55 arm on the 20-80 scale. Arauz has drawn a lot of attention from the Phillies.

 

Dominican shortstop Elvis Zabala has lived in the United States and already speaks fluent English. At 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, Zabala has a strong, accurate arm with a quick release at shortstop, although he’s not a great runner. Game contact has been an issue at times, but he has good bat speed from the right side and uses the whole field with gap power. He’s been tied to the Padres.

 

Venezuelan shortstop Yonni Hernandez is just 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, but he’s a switch-hitter with a patient approach. He sets up with a wide base, recognizes pitches and works the count to get on base with a quick stroke, though his power is minimal. He has an unusual gait but runs well and has the glove and field awareness to stay in the middle of the infield. The Rangers look like the favorites for him.

 

Bryan Bencosme is 6-foot-1, 160 pounds and impressed some scouts in the Dominican Republic with his ability to square up good velocity from the right side in game situations. He has looked choppy at the plate for some teams, but others see offensive potential with strong hands and gap power. He’s not a great runner, so he might end up at third base or second as he fills out, but some scouts liked him at shortstop and he has the arm strength to play on the left side of the infield. Bencosme has been tied to the Nationals.

 

Edgar Pineda is a fundamentally sound Venezuelan shortstop with solid speed and a good arm. At 6 feet, 160 pounds, he’s a contact bat from the right side without much power. The Rangers look like they’re in on him.

 

Venezuelan shortstop Jose Marquez is a good athlete with plus speed and an average arm. Some don’t consider him a natural shortstop, so he may move off the position, but he’s a 5-foot-11 switch-hitter with mostly doubles power. Marquez has drawn attention from the Royals.

 

OUTFIELDERS

 

Julio Martinez is a Dominican corner outfielder who scouts haven’t had many recent looks at but did show offensive potential. Some scouts liked his approach at the plate and his ability to stay short to the ball from the right side, though others thought he had a tendency to get long and swing for the fences, causing him to lose control of the outer half of the plate. At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Martinez has a thick frame and minimal foot speed that makes him a left field/first base defensive profile. The Tigers look like they might make him one of their top signings.

 

Bryan Pena is one of the top power bats in the Dominican Republic. He can go deep routinely in batting practice and had superlative timing for one of the best games of his life, as he hit two home runs in a Dominican Prospect League game in January in front of hundreds of scouts. A big lefty at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, Pena hasn’t brought that power to the games as frequently as some would like to see, especially for a player who will likely be locked in to first base, but his offensive potential is promising. Pena has drawn heavy interest from the Giants.

 

Another Dominican outfielder linked to the Giants is Sandro Fabian. At the MLB showcase in January, Fabian went 4-for-6 with a walk, though his game performance has been up and down. At 6 feet, 180 pounds, Fabian employs a leg kick and can generate hard contact when he connects, but he wraps the bat and likes to chase pitches off the plate, so he’s going to have to tighten his strike-zone management against better pitching. He has showcased in center field, but his below-average speed and arm strength fit better in left field.

 

In Venezuela, Raymundo Moreno has earned praise for his instincts in the outfield, where he has above-average speed and an average arm. At 6 feet, 170 pounds, Moreno is a righthanded hitter with a quick bat, gap power, though in games his swing can get big. The Yankees have been attached to Moreno.

 

Venezuelan corner outfielder Romer Cuadrado has an extra-large frame (6-foot-4, 195 pounds) with plenty of room to add size and projectable power from the right side. He’s a raw project in the field and at the plate, where he’s still smoothing out his swing and learning to recognize pitches. The Dodgers look prepared to make him one of their top signings.

 

Christian Capellan is a physical 6-foot-4, 200-pound Dominican outfielder who can take the ball over the fence and should grow into more power. Capellan has a funky righthanded swing and his offensive profile is more power than batting average, so he’ll have improve his breaking ball recognition to cut down on strikeouts. A fringy runner who will slow down, Capellan is a corner outfielder who has been linked to the Marlins.

 

Another big righthanded-hitting outfielder the Marlins have been attached to is Anderson Castro from Venezuela. At 6-foot-4, 195 pounds, Castro has similar size to Cuadrado, but he’s a better athlete, with above-average speed that fits in center field for now but, as he fills out, will probably slide over to right field, where he has a strong, accurate arm. The bat and power are still a projection, but he’s athletic enough to be able to make adjustments.

 

With a compact 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame, Frederick Cuevas doesn’t have one tool that sticks out, but some think the lefty is one of the more advanced hitters in the Dominican Republic. He’s a gap-to-gap hitter without a ton of physical projection or athleticism, fitting best in left field. Cuevas looks like another Yankees target.

 

Jean Carlos Arias has a live, athletic frame (5-foot-10, 150 pounds) with an intriguing tool package in center field, where he runs and throws well, although he’s going to have to clean up his righthanded swing and improve his balance at the plate. The Twins have been connected to Arias.

 

Athleticism runs in the family of Yondry Contreras, who’s mother played on the Dominican national softball team. Contrereas is a strong 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame with good speed and an above-average arm in center field. He has a quick righthanded stroke and will have to tighten up his plate discipline for the tools to translate on the offensive end. Contreras has drawn interest from the Pirates.

[burlingtonbandit]

Anyone else get the felling of how old you are. These guys were born in 1998 lol. Almost at 2000 f***.

[GD]

Anyone else get the felling of how old you are. These guys were born in 1998 lol. Almost at 2000 f***.

 

At least you're not having an existential crisis. What am I doing with my life? These guys are a year older than me.

[Mikeleelop]

Interesting to see if the Yankees totally blow their load tomorrow as predicted

 

Would like to see jays snage 2 top 30 guys

[burlingtonbandit]

Latin free agency is such a crapshoot. These guys are so young that there is always the guys who sign for under 500k that turn into big time prospects. I don't really have a problem with signing a lot of the cheaper guys with projection. Trust the scouts and then develop.

[Angrioter]

Latin free agency is such a crapshoot. These guys are so young that there is always the guys who sign for under 500k that turn into big time prospects. I don't really have a problem with signing a lot of the cheaper guys with projection. Trust the scouts and then develop.

 

Lotto ticket.

Latinos are the largest producer of talent outside the U.S., it's a gamble with high risk but pays off.

[Angrioter]

 

 

 

Edited July 2, 2014 by Angrioter

[Angrioter]

True Cards

[Dylan]

Marlon Arroyo-3B signs with the #Diamondbacks for $350k http://vimeo.com/m/82131519

 

Source: #Phillies have agreed to a $900K deal w/SS Arquimedes Gamboa, ranked #15 on @mlb Top 30 Int’l Prospects list http://atmlb.com/1irBBzQ

 

Source: #Yankees have agreed to a $750K deal with SS Diego Castillo (VZ), ranked #16 on http://atmlb.com/1irBBzQ

 

Source: #Tigers have agreed to $600K deal with OF Julio Martinez, #19 on @mlb Top Int’l prospects list http://atmlb.com/1irBBzQ

 

Source: #RedSox have agreed to $1.5M deal RHP w/Chris Acosta, ranked #6 on @mlb Top Intl Prospects list