2022 International Free Agency and IFA Signings Discussion

[TwistedLogic]

Might as well start this now.

 

Juan Soto's little brother Elian Soto has reached a verbal agreement with the Mets.

 

[Ehjays]

Orioles “Favorites” To Sign Cuban INF Cesar Prieto

By TC Zencka | January 8, 2022 at 12:07pm CDT

 

The Orioles are the “favorites” to sign infielder Cesar Prieto when the international signing period opens on January 15th, per MLB.com’s Francys Romero (via Twitter). Romero reports the signing amount to be somewhere between $650K and $750K.

 

Baltimore has been aggressive under GM Mike Elias in pursuing international free agents. It’s one of the few avenues available to teams to add talent without giving up talent in return. Prieto raked as a 21-year-old in the Cuban National Series, slashing .403/.463/.579 over 360 plate appearances, showing off an intriguing combination of bat-to-ball skills, speed, and gap power.

 

Fangraphs lists Prieto as a second baseman with a 40+ future value ranking. They write, “Prieto is the best pure hitter in Cuba. He broke Kendrys Morales’ rookie hits record then broke the Serie Nacional’s hit streak record (40 games) in 2020 while striking out just six times in 250 plate appearances. His swing and game resemble Eric Sogard’s.”

 

At 22-years-old, Prieto is older than many international prospects, which could just make him a fast riser in Baltimore’s system. The Orioles need as much talent in their system as they can muster. Prieto represents a low-cost, low-risk opportunity to add a hitter with a proven track record of success in Cuba.

[BTS]

“Prieto is the best pure hitter in Cuba.... His swing and game resemble Eric Sogard’s.”

 

 

 

hmm

[Brownie19]

Jesus - has the talent level dropped significantly in Cuba over the past few years?

[Ehjays]

hmm

 

Well you knew there had to be a reason the Orioles are in on him

[Spanky99]

Haha... hey man, nerd power got us a couple lotto tickets for a very good '19.

[Spanky99]

Jesus - has the talent level dropped significantly in Cuba over the past few years?

 

A lot of Cubans are moving to NA at a young age now. It's certainly gotten weaker because of so many defects for sure.

[Spanky99]

Jesus - has the talent level dropped significantly in Cuba over the past few years?

 

A lot of Cubans are moving to NA at a young age now. It's certainly gotten weaker because of so many defects for sure.

[Ehjays]

Here is the top 50

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/international/

 

We are in on #33

 

Luis Meza C

 

AGE 17

BATS R

DOB 10/14/2004

THROWS R

HT 5' 11"

WT 185

 

 

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

 

Venezuela has emerged as a hot spot for talented catchers on the international market, and Meza is carrying on the new tradition.

 

Behind the plate, Meza shows lots of potential, which includes emerging catch-and-throw skills along with signs of above-average receiving and blocking abilities. He’s a gamer and his high baseball IQ allows him to impact the game on both sides of the ball.

 

His ability to barrel up balls and use the entire field in showcases and games has helped him evolve into one of the country’s top hitters. Physically, he has a broad frame and there is still room to grow and develop strength.

 

Meza trains with Kander Depablo and Reynaldo Gonzalez at the KPL Academy. The Blue Jays are the favorite to sign him.

[Spanky99]

Yeah, this has been known for a long while now.

[Jimcanuck]

BA has Meza @ #11

 

Venezuela consistently is home to top international catchers. Diego Cartaya (Dodgers), Francisco Alvarez (Mets), Gabriel Moreno (Blue Jays) and Keibert Ruiz (Nationals) are all Venezuelan catchers who rank as the No. 1 prospects in their organizations. Meza isn't there yet, but like Cartaya and Alvarez were at the same age, Meza is one of the premier catchers this year, projecting to stick behind the plate as one of the better hitters in Venezuela. He has a loose, easy swing with a knack for being on time and strong game performance. He's a high-contact hitter who uses the whole field, with room on his broad-shouldered frame to fill out and drive the ball with more impact as he gets stronger. Meza's catch-and-throw skills are also advanced for his age.

 

Next Jays guy is #49, Jean Carlo Joseph

 

Joseph is a lean, athletic center fielder with advanced outfield instincts for his age. He reads the ball off the bat well, takes good routes already and has a strong arm for 16. Joseph also has a sound swing at the plate with gap power that's trending up as he's starting to get stronger.

[Jimcanuck]

Jays have built a fantastic facility (Dunedin) and a high performance team, it makes sense to focus on these kids. They likely will have more success molding them into big leaguers.

[TwistedLogic]

Might as well start this now.

 

Juan Soto's little brother Elian Soto has reached a verbal agreement with the Mets.

 

lmao, I feel like this could only happen to the Mets, but Elian Soto is in fact not signing with them. He's reached an agreement with the Nationals.

 

[Krylian]

lmao, I feel like this could only happen to the Mets, but Elian Soto is in fact not signing with them. He's reached an agreement with the Nationals.

 

 

Nice. f*** the Mets.

[BlueRocky]

BA has Meza @ #11

 

Venezuela consistently is home to top international catchers. Diego Cartaya (Dodgers), Francisco Alvarez (Mets), Gabriel Moreno (Blue Jays) and Keibert Ruiz (Nationals) are all Venezuelan catchers who rank as the No. 1 prospects in their organizations. Meza isn't there yet, but like Cartaya and Alvarez were at the same age, Meza is one of the premier catchers this year, projecting to stick behind the plate as one of the better hitters in Venezuela. He has a loose, easy swing with a knack for being on time and strong game performance. He's a high-contact hitter who uses the whole field, with room on his broad-shouldered frame to fill out and drive the ball with more impact as he gets stronger. Meza's catch-and-throw skills are also advanced for his age.

 

Next Jays guy is #49, Jean Carlo Joseph

 

Joseph is a lean, athletic center fielder with advanced outfield instincts for his age. He reads the ball off the bat well, takes good routes already and has a strong arm for 16. Joseph also has a sound swing at the plate with gap power that's trending up as he's starting to get stronger.

 

Badler stated they always rank by predicted signing bonus, not by talent level or FV. The rankings are kinda moot, but the scouting report is encouraging. Some of the top system IFA guys come out of nowhere (Under 1 Mill bonus), this was the case with Kirk, Moreno, Otto Lopez, Leo Jimenez, etc.

[Ehjays]

Bonus Pools For 2021-22 International Signing Market

By Mark Polishuk | January 11, 2022 at 4:42pm CDT

 

The 2021-22 international signing period opens on January 15, as for the second straight season, the usual July 2 opening date for the int’l was pushed back due to the pandemic. This new signing period will run from January 15 to December 15, and it remains to be seen exactly what will happen with international signing procedures going forward. If the rules stay the same, presumably the 2023-24 period would begin on July 2, 2023, though it is possible the int’l market could be significantly altered (or perhaps replaced altogether by an international talent draft) in the next collective bargaining agreement.

 

For now, however, teams are still operating under the old bonus pool rules. All 30 teams receive an allotted hard cap on their international signings that cannot be exceeded, though any player signed for $10K or less aren’t counted against the cap. While teams have been allowed to trade draft pool space in past years, trades were prohibited both for this int’l signing period and for the 2020-21 period.

 

As per Baseball America’s Ben Badler, here are the bonus pool amounts assigned to every team…

 

Angels: $5,179,700

Astros: $5,179,700

Athletics: $5,179,700

Blue Jays: $4,644,000

Braves: $5,179,700

Brewers: $5,721,200

Cardinals: $6,262,600

Cubs: $5,179,700

Diamondbacks: $6,262,600

Dodgers: $4,644,000

Giants: $5,179,700

Guardians: $6,262,600

Mariners: $5,179,700

Marlins: $5,721,200

Mets: $5,179,700

Nationals: $5,179,700

Orioles: $6,262,600

Padres: $6,262,600

Phillies: $5,179,700

Pirates: $6,262,600

Rangers: $5,179,700

Rays: $5,721,200

Reds: $5,721,200

Red Sox: $5,179,700

Rockies: $6,262,600

Royals: $6,262,600

Tigers: $5,721,200

Twins: $5,721,200

White Sox: $5,179,700

Yankees: $5,179,700

The four pool sizes were determined by a number of factors. The largest possible bonus pool ($6,262,600) was assigned to the eight teams slotted into Competitive Balance Round B in last summer’s amateur draft, while the next-largest pool ($5,721,200) went to the six teams who were in Competitive Balance Round A.

 

Fourteen other teams have $5,179,700 to work with in their pools, while only the Blue Jays and Dodgers have the lowest allotment ($4,644,000). Toronto and Los Angeles each lost $500K of their international pools as part of the penalty for a signing a free agent who rejected a qualifying offer at the onset of the 2020-21 free agent offseason — the Jays signed George Springer, and the Dodgers signed Trevor Bauer.

[Krylian]

[Krylian]

[AdamGreenwood]

Glad we are able to shore up that catcher position.

[TwistedLogic]

[TwistedLogic]

Full list of deals on MLB's Top 50:

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-international-prospects-signing-day-2021-22?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage

[TwistedLogic]

[Jimcanuck]

Glad we are able to shore up that catcher position.

 

Eh by the time Meza might be ready, Jansen would be a free agent (end of 2025). And Moreno, if the bat is as good as advertised, is full time 2B/3B/OF to reduce the wear and tear.

 

I suspect you are just being glib, anyway.

Edited January 15, 2022 by Jimcanuck

[wamco]

And inexplicably, Reese will still be here, jerking off in public.

[TwistedLogic]

[Krylian]

Glad we are able to shore up that catcher position.

 

Moreno is a 3B. Didn't you know?

[Krylian]

[Krylian]

[Krylian]

[Krylian]