July 2, 2018: International Signings

[Spanky99]

Read it and weep. The new design is pretty awful comparatively.

 

 

5. Separate "free" from "subscriber" content without taking away much of what makes RR useful.

 

I wonder what this entails? If it's a few bucks I won't mind.

[Krylian]

Bonus Pools for the next signing period...

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-20-mlb-international-bonus-pools/

 

Jays @ $5,398,300

[jmomcc]

So, I know we have 1.5m extra to spend this year. Any news yet on who they might be spending it on?

 

Or will it just be a bunch of small signings?

[BlueRocky]

I’m still unclear that the acquired bonus pool money is for 2018 signing or 2019 J2 signing. Would be nice to get some confirmation?

I remember they signed a kid a month back but he wasn’t a hotshot prospect. Not sure where the rest of the money is going to.

 

They’re being surprisingly tight-lipped about this year’s J2 prospects considering most guys are committed to a certain team months (even a year) ahead of the signing period.

[metafour]

The money that they acquired is for the 2018 class.

 

Who are they signing? Who knows. MLB.com just threw out a report on some new 25 year old Cuban reliever that just came on the market who could be MLB ready next year.

[TheHurl]

The money that they acquired is for the 2018 class.

 

Who are they signing? Who knows. MLB.com just threw out a report on some new 25 year old Cuban reliever that just came on the market who could be MLB ready next year.

 

Not sure who this is but if he's 25 likely he has enough years in the Cuban league that he won't be under the International Cap. The one that is available right now is Yolbert Sanchez. He is linked to the Cards, who need to wait until July 2nd to sign him. Jays could be in good position to play with the Cards

[Jimcanuck]

The money that they acquired is for the 2018 class.

 

Who are they signing? Who knows. MLB.com just threw out a report on some new 25 year old Cuban reliever that just came on the market who could be MLB ready next year.

 

The money could also be moved in trade to allow some other team to sign Yolbert.

[metafour]

Not sure who this is but if he's 25 likely he has enough years in the Cuban league that he won't be under the International Cap. The one that is available right now is Yolbert Sanchez. He is linked to the Cards, who need to wait until July 2nd to sign him. Jays could be in good position to play with the Cards

 

His name is Yeinier Cano; MLB.com placed him 2nd on their IFA list (ahead of Yolbert Sanchez who they have 5th).

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2018/?list=int

 

Yeinier Cano | Rank: 2 Hometown: Ciego de Avila, Cuba

Position: RHP Age: 25 DOB: 3/9/1994

Bats: R Throws: R Height: 6'5" Weight: 224 lb.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 70 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 55

At 25, Cano is one of the oldest and most experienced players available on the international market. He's also one of the most interesting.

 

He's a big and strong reliever with four pitches, and there are some scouts who believe he has a chance to break camp next Spring Training with the big league team that signs him. The right-hander has shown a fastball that hovers in the 94-96 mph range with some sink. He also features an above average slider, split fastball and changeup, a pitch he did not throw often in Cuba. He also throws an average curve.

 

Cano, who often prefers to pitch out of the stretch, has shown good mechanics and there is some deception to his delivery. He also has enough stamina and strength to throw three or four innings if needed and is in the best shape he has ever been in. His command is average.

 

Cano played three seasons with Ciego de Avila in Cuba's Serie National and was part of the national team that played against the Tampa Bay Rays in Havana in 2016. He later pitched in Argentina after defecting from Cuba in 2018. Cano became eligible to sign with a Major League team in February and is represented by Scott Shapiro and Barry Praver of Magnus Sports. It's uncertain if he will sign during the current international signing period or wait until the next period begins July 2.

[Orgfiller]

His name is Yeinier Cano; MLB.com placed him 2nd on their IFA list (ahead of Yolbert Sanchez who they have 5th).

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2018/?list=int

 

A 55 overall reliever? That's gotta be like Josh Hader, Edwin Diaz, Blake Treinen, prime Chapman/Kimbrel/Jansen territory. That seems like an extremely aggressive ranking unless they basically see him as a lights out 3-4 inning pitcher.

[Todd]

blue jays fav. to sign international free agent Rikelvin De Castro | Rank: 27

[King]

De Castro is a high-energy athlete with an impressive set of tools across the board. He's slender, but he's strong. He's a prospect with good hands, solid footwork, speed and a high baseball IQ.

 

It's no surprise he has been compared to a young Jose Reyes.

 

At the plate, De Castro is a contact hitter who hits line drives all over the field. The belief is that he will develop gap power as he body matures, and he gains strength in the coming years. If all goes according to plan, he'll stick at shortstop and eventually sport a .265 batting average with 10 to 12 home runs in the big leagues one day.

 

But for now, he's considered one of the best fielders at any position in this year's class because of his defensive actions and plus arm strength. He's not the fastest runner, but he's quick and makes up for the lack of speed usually associated with shortstop prospects with hustle. Scouts also love his natural instincts and makeup.

 

De Castro trains with Angel Perez, a member of MLB's Trainer Partnership Program, in the Dominican Republic. The Blue Jays are considered the front-runners to sign him.

 

-------------------

 

the blue jays signing a projectable, contact oriented IFA shortstop with defensive chops, name a better duo

[jmomcc]

De Castro is a high-energy athlete with an impressive set of tools across the board. He's slender, but he's strong. He's a prospect with good hands, solid footwork, speed and a high baseball IQ.

 

It's no surprise he has been compared to a young Jose Reyes.

 

At the plate, De Castro is a contact hitter who hits line drives all over the field. The belief is that he will develop gap power as he body matures, and he gains strength in the coming years. If all goes according to plan, he'll stick at shortstop and eventually sport a .265 batting average with 10 to 12 home runs in the big leagues one day.

 

But for now, he's considered one of the best fielders at any position in this year's class because of his defensive actions and plus arm strength. He's not the fastest runner, but he's quick and makes up for the lack of speed usually associated with shortstop prospects with hustle. Scouts also love his natural instincts and makeup.

 

De Castro trains with Angel Perez, a member of MLB's Trainer Partnership Program, in the Dominican Republic. The Blue Jays are considered the front-runners to sign him.

 

-------------------

 

the blue jays signing a projectable, contact oriented IFA shortstop with defensive chops, name a better duo

 

In the juiced ball era, maybe contact guys who hit line drives are the way to go .

[BlueRocky]

It’s near impossible to project these 16 year olds. You basically grab the best athlete, hope he has a good trainer, possibly bloodlines, and pray to the baseball deities.

A lot of these kids get scouted since they were 14 yrs old, and every scout is looking for the next Juan Soto and Acuna.

 

Sometimes it takes years of relationship development between the scouts and the kid’s family to make that signing happen. A lot of these families have future generations riding on their little ones to make the majors.

 

Regarding Rikelvin De Castro, he was briefly mentioned somewhere a few months back. It’s good to know he’s showing flashes as a plus defender. Most position players start off at SS, CF, or catcher so "considered one of the best fielders at any position in this year's class" is some pretty high praise.

 

Still, it’s a little strange to see we’re only connected to one notable guy.

 

Edit: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-international-prospects-to-watch-version-20/

Ben Badler mentioned him back on February 12, 2019

 

Rikelvin de Castro, SS, Dominican Republic

 

A lean, 6-foot shortstop, de Castro is a high-energy, hard-nosed player with a chance to develop into a plus defender, making challenging plays look easy. He's a righthanded hitter with a quick, loose stroke and gap power. Castro trains with Angel Perez and is expected with the Blue Jays, likely for north of $1 million.

 

For those that wanna take a quick look at him:

 

Looks like we still have @4 mill to spend, interesting to see what other names will be in play after the draft when more focus shifts to July 2.

Edited May 9, 2019 by BlueRocky

[Deadpool]

Anyone heard anything about how we're going to use the int'l money we picked up for DSJ etc? That has to be used in the next 2 months, right?

[BlueRocky]

Yeah Ross confirmed awhile ago it’s for 2018 class and expires before July

[John Balkabella]

Anyone heard anything about how we're going to use the int'l money we picked up for DSJ etc? That has to be used in the next 2 months, right?

 

Apparently, they plan to tear it up and use it as confetti when the Raps win the Eastern semi’s. Gotta keep Bell happy.

 

Hello. First post.

 

To paraphrase one of my all time favorite movies, “ Looks like the wrong year to join a Blue Jays forum”.

 

Dodgers, Expos, then Blue Jays fan. ( still love the Dodgers)

 

Let’s get this out of the way, yeah I am old, 62, actually, and remember the 63 World Series.

 

It’s a young 62, though.

 

Look forward to talking baseball with all of you.

[Spanky99]

De Castro is a high-energy athlete with an impressive set of tools across the board. He's slender, but he's strong. He's a prospect with good hands, solid footwork, speed and a high baseball IQ.

 

It's no surprise he has been compared to a young Jose Reyes.

 

At the plate, De Castro is a contact hitter who hits line drives all over the field. The belief is that he will develop gap power as he body matures, and he gains strength in the coming years. If all goes according to plan, he'll stick at shortstop and eventually sport a .265 batting average with 10 to 12 home runs in the big leagues one day.

 

But for now, he's considered one of the best fielders at any position in this year's class because of his defensive actions and plus arm strength. He's not the fastest runner, but he's quick and makes up for the lack of speed usually associated with shortstop prospects with hustle. Scouts also love his natural instincts and makeup.

 

De Castro trains with Angel Perez, a member of MLB's Trainer Partnership Program, in the Dominican Republic. The Blue Jays are considered the front-runners to sign him.

 

-------------------

 

the blue jays signing a projectable, contact oriented IFA shortstop with defensive chops, name a better duo

 

How's my PW coming?

[jmomcc]

I decided to do some mild sleuthing.

 

Looking at the MLB pipeline international top 30 for 2019, the only two guys who aren't 'projected' to sign somewhere (or who they forgot to write that in their bio maybe) are number 7 (yiddi Cappe) and 17 (maximo Costa). There are also the two cuban guys who didn't sign last year (Cano and Sanchez). The two cuban guys are old enough to be close if they are good so for a team on our timeline would be interesting gets.

 

I don't have a baseball america acc which would prob refute all this lol.

 

Edit: I guess those cuban guys could be targets for our remaining money this year also.

Edited May 9, 2019 by jmomcc

[Spanky99]

I decided to do some mild sleuthing.

 

Looking at the MLB pipeline international top 30 for 2019, the only two guys who aren't 'projected' to sign somewhere (or who they forgot to write that in their bio maybe) are number 7 (yiddi Cappe) and 17 (maximo Costa). There are also the two cuban guys who didn't sign last year (Cano and Sanchez). The two cuban guys are old enough to be close if they are good so for a team on our timeline would be interesting gets.

 

I don't have a baseball america pw which would prob refute all this lol.

 

Edit: I guess those cuban guys could be targets for our remaining money this year also.

 

You messed me up, lol. You mean our excess Intl' money is spent on Cano or Sanchez, right?

[jmomcc]

You messed me up, lol. You mean our excess Intl' money is spent on Cano or Sanchez, right?

 

Yea, whatever we had left from 2018 could be spent on them I think. However, I don't see why they wouldn't just wait until the 2019 window because teams would have more money, right? I think we have at least 1.5 million in 2018 money (from the trades) so possiby they will just offer all that to one of those guys.

[Spanky99]

Yea, whatever we had left from 2018 could be spent on them I think. However, I don't see why they wouldn't just wait until the 2019 window because teams would have more money, right? I think we have at least 1.5 million in 2018 money (from the trades) so possiby they will just offer all that to one of those guys.

 

Depends, they're FA's anyway under that rule? They'll likely be the most coveted players prior, I mean take it, lol. They've been likely signed already, without looking.

[jmomcc]

Depends, they're FA's anyway under that rule? They'll likely be the most coveted players prior, I mean take it, lol. They've been likely signed already, without looking.

 

I would guess the only way we get one of them with 2018 money is if they have a promise of 1.5 or below in the 2019 window. They will probably drag it out long enough and maybe try to get us to trade for more space to get them. That however, is WILD speculation on my part because I have no f***ing clue whats happening.

[Spanky99]

I would guess the only way we get one of them with 2018 money is if they have a promise of 1.5 or below in the 2019 window. They will probably drag it out long enough and maybe try to get us to trade for more space to get them. That however, is WILD speculation on my part because I have no f***ing clue whats happening.

 

No that isn't possible. They're FA's after that date, huge money lost.

[jmomcc]

No that isn't possible. They're FA's after that date, huge money lost.

 

Can you explain how that would work? If you miss your window, you become a free agent? Is that better or worse for them?

[Spanky99]

Can you explain how that would work? If you miss your window, you become a free agent? Is that better or worse for them?

 

They'd pass the 1 year window, and lose leverage.

 

Worse.

[jmomcc]

They'd pass the 1 year window, and lose leverage.

 

Worse.

 

I still don't really understand tbh. Why would they have less leverage? Do they become a different kind of free agent?

 

edit: just to be clear, im talking about the players not the jays when i say 'they'.

[Pendleton]

Apparently, they plan to tear it up and use it as confetti when the Raps win the Eastern semi’s. Gotta keep Bell happy.

 

Hello. First post.

 

To paraphrase one of my all time favorite movies, “ Looks like the wrong year to join a Blue Jays forum”.

 

Dodgers, Expos, then Blue Jays fan. ( still love the Dodgers)

 

Let’s get this out of the way, yeah I am old, 62, actually, and remember the 63 World Series.

 

It’s a young 62, though.

 

Look forward to talking baseball with all of you.

 

Welcome to BJMB

[Angrioter]

It’s near impossible to project these 16 year olds. You basically grab the best athlete, hope he has a good trainer, possibly bloodlines, and pray to the baseball deities.

A lot of these kids get scouted since they were 14 yrs old, and every scout is looking for the next Juan Soto and Acuna. Sometimes it takes years of relationship development between the scouts and the kid’s family to make that signing happen. A lot of these families have future generations riding on their little ones to make the majors.

 

Regarding Rikelvin De Castro, he was briefly mentioned somewhere a few months back. It’s good to know he’s showing flashes as a plus defender. Most position players start off at SS, CF, or catcher so “considered one of the best fielders at any position in this year's class“ is some pretty high praise.

 

Still, it’s a little strange to see we’re only connected to one notable guy.

 

Edit: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-international-prospects-to-watch-version-20/

Ben Badler mentioned him back on February 12, 2019

 

 

 

For those that wanna take a quick look at him:

 

Looks like we still have @4 mill to spend, interesting to see what other names will be in play after the draft when more focus shifts to July 2.

 

 

2% of these guys reach the big leagues (Vladdy, Soto, Acuna, Eloy, Tatis, Franco, Devers, Mazara). These guys already have a lot of baseball in their pockets, they're playing baseball since they are 7 or 8 years old.

 

They are a good bet, since they are young and the teams can teach them what they still need to become in good players, spending little money.

[BlueRocky]

I decided to do some mild sleuthing.

 

Looking at the MLB pipeline international top 30 for 2019, the only two guys who aren't 'projected' to sign somewhere (or who they forgot to write that in their bio maybe) are number 7 (yiddi Cappe) and 17 (maximo Costa). There are also the two cuban guys who didn't sign last year (Cano and Sanchez). The two cuban guys are old enough to be close if they are good so for a team on our timeline would be interesting gets.

 

I don't have a baseball america acc which would prob refute all this lol.

 

Edit: I guess those cuban guys could be targets for our remaining money this year also.

 

Looks like Maximo Acosta is taken

 

Maximo Acosta, SS, Venezuela

 

The Rangers have been aggressive in Venezuela, signing shortstop Keyber Rodriguez in 2017 and catcher Jose Rodriguez last year. This year, they're expected to sign Acosta, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound shortstop with a good balance of tools and ability to apply them in games. His speed and arm are both plus, with a good internal clock at shortstop and a line-drive, contact-oriented approach from the right side. Acostal, who trains with Roberto Vahlis, is expected to sign with the Rangers.

 

 

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2019-international-prospects-to-watch-version-20/

 

I couldn't find any info on Yiddi Cappe.

It’s still too early for any IFA mock list or extensive J2 coverage yet, usually starts in June.

[King]

How's my PW coming?

I told you already.......... Hurl didn't renew his subscription

 

and that blurb was from MLB Pipeline (free)