July 2, 2019 - June 15, 2020: International Free Agent Period

[Grant77]

A pretty inexplicable drop after we were presumably one of the best teams before 1990.

[BlueRocky]

We mentioned these guys before but Ben Badler released a piece earlier and had a segment on these guys.

 

NETHERLANDS

 

Sem Robberse, RHP, Blue Jays: Robberse is one of the more promising, deep-sleeper international pitching prospects signed over the past year. A $125,000 signing last year in June, Robberse pitched well after reporting to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he posted an ERA of 0.87 in 10.1 innings with a 9-to-0 strikeout-to-walk mark. His velocity has grown from reaching 88 mph before signing to 90 mph by the time he arrived in the United States and then 93 mph in the GCL. Adding 20 pounds to get to 6-foot-1, 180 pounds has helped, and there should be more velocity coming given his physical projection and loose, easy mechanics with minimal effort. Robberse's athleticism helps him repeat his delivery and throw strikes, mixing a four-seam fastball, a two-seamer and a breaking ball that's a slightly above-average pitch at its best.

 

Jiorgeny Casimiri, RHP, Blue Jays: The Blue Jays signed a second pitcher from the Netherlands in June, giving Casimiri $225,000. He's 6-foot-1, 160 pounds at 18 and throws strikes with a fastball that touches the low 90s and a slider that's a potentially average pitch. Casimiri also pitched in the GCL after signing, posting a 2.57 ERA in 14 innings with 13 strikeouts and two walks.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/from-aruba-to-italy-scouting-recent-international-signings-from-less-scouted-countries/

[Slade]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/toronto-blue-jays-2020-21-international-signing-preview/

 

Toronto's international signing classes over the last five years have netted several promising position prospects for the organization, with 2015 signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. the most prominent of the group. Shortstops Orelvis Martinez and Miguel Hiraldo, catchers Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno and shortstop/second baseman Otto Lopez are all top 12 prospects in the system who the Blue Jays signed out of Latin America in the last five years.

 

Following a deep 2019 signing class, the Blue Jays are set to add another one of the top hitters in Latin America, Dominican shortstop Manuel Beltre. He has a simple, repeatable swing and has consistently performed at a high level in games, often traveling to the United States for tournaments. He's a student of the game with instincts and baseball savvy well beyond his years.

 

 

The Blue Jays are also expected to sign Martin Gimenez, a long-limbed, lanky shortstop (6-foot-3, 160 pounds) who has a chance to hit for power as he fills out his frame. A position change is probably in his future, with a strong arm that could fit at third base.

 

 

Venezuelan center fielder Yhoangel Aponte is another player linked to Toronto. He showed excellent defensive instincts at a Nations Baseball Showcase in Aruba and he drives the ball for hard contact from the right side of the plate. Dominican catcher Jonathan Peguero is also expected to sign with the Blue Jays, with a bonus likely to be a tick south of $500,000.

 

 

Jonathan Peguero

 

Ben Badler, Baseball America (@ben.badler) • Instagram video

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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2,238 likes, 14 comments - ben.badler on March 25, 2020: "Jonathan Peguero—15 now, 14 in this video—a 2020 international catcher from the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 eligible to sign when he turns 16 on July 23. Playing here in @jdbbaseballrd and @dplbaseball events.".

 

 

Yhoangel Aponte

 

Ben Badler, Baseball America (@ben.badler) • Instagram video

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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3,670 likes, 16 comments - ben.badler on December 4, 2018: "2020 Venezuelan 🇻🇪 OF Yhoangel Aponte, 14, making an impact with his bat, his glove and his arm at the @nationsbaseballshowcase.".

[BlueRocky]

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/toronto-blue-jays-2020-21-international-signing-preview/

 

 

 

 

Jonathan Peguero

 

Ben Badler, Baseball America (@ben.badler) • Instagram video

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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2,238 likes, 14 comments - ben.badler on March 25, 2020: "Jonathan Peguero—15 now, 14 in this video—a 2020 international catcher from the Dominican Republic 🇩🇴 eligible to sign when he turns 16 on July 23. Playing here in @jdbbaseballrd and @dplbaseball events.".

 

 

Yhoangel Aponte

 

Ben Badler, Baseball America (@ben.badler) • Instagram video

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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3,670 likes, 16 comments - ben.badler on December 4, 2018: "2020 Venezuelan 🇻🇪 OF Yhoangel Aponte, 14, making an impact with his bat, his glove and his arm at the @nationsbaseballshowcase.".

 

Shortstops and catchers are kinda our thing now.

 

Gimenez: https://streamable.com/o58x1t

Martin Gimenez could really spend time in a buffet.. like a week.

 

So we're looking at:

 

SS Manuel Beltre

SS Martin Gimenez

CF Yhoangel Aponte

C Jonathan Peguero

 

I'll see if I can dig up some info on these guys

 

Edit: Jonathan Peguero swing:

JDB baseball RD (@jdbbaseballrd) • Instagram video

WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM

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147 likes, 0 comments - jdbbaseballrd on September 4, 2018: "Jonathan Peguero C 2020Class from El niche baseball academy. Top prospect 2020Class www.jdbbaseball.com".

Yhoangel Aponte pic: https://www.picuki.com/media/2145841641871676600

Edited June 1, 2020 by BlueRocky