DSL

Just a few guys who might be in the regular minors soon that we hear little about -

Josue Castellano - a 20 y/o lefty 90-92fb, fair secondary pitches, excellent potential likely for bullpen but possibly starter

Soid Marquez - signed at 16 last year, now a 17 y/o, RH, fb has movement sits 88-89 but should gain velocity as he gains weight and fills out, rated as one of two or three best international pitchers when signed

Oswaldo Mieres - RH, possibly best of this group - good fastball, good slider and changeup, decent command. 6-3 178 20 y/o. Should add velocity as he fills out.

Jose de Sousa - lefty 20 y/o 6-1 175. Command issues but best fastball in group. K rate almost 12 per 9.

3B Jose Duarte - could be a Henry Rodriguez type. Good contact hitter with size enough to add power as he matures. 19 y/o

SS Miguel Mendez - little guy 5-10 160 with pop. 19 y/o, excellent hitter with nice gap power stroke, good quickness/speed .909 OPS, should stick at short. Could be a sleeper. left handed hitter right handed fielder

I'm really intrigued by Mendez and Mieres.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Another player with potential to watch, currently in Dayton, that is getting no attention at all is 3B Robert Maddox. He is scuffling at the moment but had very solid seasons in the AZL and Billings. Robert has good power, needs to improve his plate discipline but the potential is there to hit for more power than Vidal. He could move quickly once he's completely healthy. He's almost a hometown boy, too, coming from Ohio U in Athens.

I didn't realize they were ready to start down there. Good deal.

Also didn't realize that the Reds are involved with two DSL teams this year. They have their own, of course, in the Boca Chita Baseball City division, but they're apparently also sharing a squad with the Diamondbacks in the Boca Chita South division.

Looks like both teams get going today.

A couple of the Reds' most expensive signees from Latin America in the last year -- including their top sign -- do not appear on either DSL roster. The top guy, Perez, and an outfielder, Jose Fernandez, may be starting their careers stateside. We'll know soon enough.

The others, such as Cesar Mejia and Marquez, are in the DSL.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mace

I didn't realize they were ready to start down there. Good deal.

Also didn't realize that the Reds are involved with two DSL teams this year. They have their own, of course, in the Boca Chita Baseball City division, but they're apparently also sharing a squad with the Diamondbacks in the Boca Chita South division.

Looks like both teams get going today.

---

Great find. The DSL Reds/Dbacks team has 32 players on it, 26 of them are Reds prospects. I wonder why they would share a team and have the majority of players be from one organization.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by New Fever

Great find. The DSL Reds/Dbacks team has 32 players on it, 26 of them are Reds prospects. I wonder why they would share a team and have the majority of players be from one organization.

---

In years past when the two shared a team, it was more evenly split, sometimes even in the Dbacks favor. Just one of those years where we signed more guys/have more guys in that 'level'.

Correction: Fernandez is in the DSL, hitting 3rd for the Reds club.

Who is on the international radar this year that might be on the Reds list? Anyone know who they are looking at?

All three of these guys signed last September and should be appearing this summer

Kevin Garcia an 18 year old 6'1", 190lb right-handed outfielder with dynamic speed and a strong bat has agreed to play for the Reds. Kevin, from Venezuela, has been training at Nava Prospects Baseball Academy in Tampa, Florida preparing for an opportunity to play in the MLB.

Alberti Chaves a 16 year old 5'10", 170lb right-handed short stop with MLB quick hands and a strong throwing arm has also agreed to terms with the Reds. Alberti, from Venezuela, has been training at Nava Prospects Baseball Academy in Tampa, Florida preparing for an opportunity to play in the MLB.

Fabian Bohorquez a 20 year old 6'3", 185lb right-handed pitcher shows a 93 MPH fastball and a very strong slider and has agreed to terms today with the reds in the package deal. Fabian, from Venezuela, has also been training at Nava Prospects Baseball Academy in Tampa, Florida preparing for an opportunity to play in the MLB.

Here's the new International signing rules:
Starting July 2nd this year, each team will have an allotment of cash for international free agents. If a team crosses that threshold, they have to pay penalties, both financially and their ability to sign future international free agents.

Going over by up to 5 percent kicks in the 75 percent tax; 5-10 percent includes the same tax and a loss of the right to sign more than one player for a bonus of more than $500,000. Go over by 10-15 percent and a team incurs the 100 percent tax and can't sign any player for more than $500,000. Going over by more than 15 percent draws the 100 percent tax and prohibition to sign any player for more than $250,000.

A 19-year-old, switch-hitting Dominican shortstop for the DSL Reds, Jonathan Suero, is fourth in the league in hitting (after 12 games) with a .438 BA. He also has a .537 OBP, but so far has not shown discernible power. He has stolen 4 bases, however. Last year he hit .219. The year before that, .147.

The DSL Reds are 6-6. The combined team with the Diamondbacks is 2-10.