International Signing Period

[Benihana]

Begins in 10 days. BA has been running specials on the available prospects, but you need a subscription. Can anyone update us on who the top 10 guys are that are available, and who if any the Reds may be in on? You don't have to match the detailed scouting reports BA gives so we don't violate their subscription agreement. Thanks in advance.

I'd like to see the Reds snag some talented infielders. Guys like Jurickson Profar, Rougned Odor, and Miguel Sano have been earning their bonuses so far.

[New Fever]

Reds targets:

Yairo Munoz, a toolsy switch-hitting shortstop who plays in the DPL. Munoz, a 16-year-old from Cabrera, has a lively 6-foot, 170-pound frame with plus speed and a strong arm. He has gap power, and his raw tools area ahead of his bat as he's an agile athlete who's still learning to play under control on both sides of the ball.

Venezuela has historically produced a high volume of catchers compared to other Latin American countries, and this year's class has several Venezuelan catchers who are getting the attention of scouts. One is Marck Malave, a 16-year-old who is still relatively new to catching full time after converting from the infield. Malave did spend some time as a catcher and infielder on Venezuela's 14-and-under team that played in the COPABE Pan American championships in October 2008. He went 7-for-15 (.467) with a home run, two doubles and a walk in the tournament, where he was the youngest player on a Venezuelan team that included top 2011 two-way prospect Victor Sanchez and top 2010 signings such as Blue Jays righthander Adonys Cardona and Rangers shortstop Rougned Odor.

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by New Fever

Reds targets:

Yairo Munoz, a toolsy switch-hitting shortstop who plays in the DPL. Munoz, a 16-year-old from Cabrera, has a lively 6-foot, 170-pound frame with plus speed and a strong arm. He has gap power, and his raw tools area ahead of his bat as he's an agile athlete who's still learning to play under control on both sides of the ball.

Venezuela has historically produced a high volume of catchers compared to other Latin American countries, and this year's class has several Venezuelan catchers who are getting the attention of scouts. One is Marck Malave, a 16-year-old who is still relatively new to catching full time after converting from the infield. Malave did spend some time as a catcher and infielder on Venezuela's 14-and-under team that played in the COPABE Pan American championships in October 2008. He went 7-for-15 (.467) with a home run, two doubles and a walk in the tournament, where he was the youngest player on a Venezuelan team that included top 2011 two-way prospect Victor Sanchez and top 2010 signings such as Blue Jays righthander Adonys Cardona and Rangers shortstop Rougned Odor.

Thanks. Are those guys considered Top 5 guys from this year's class? Seems like the SS might be. Any other top players worth mentioning- even if the Reds haven't been linked to them?

I wonder how Munoz compares to past international SS signees Humberto Valor and Oliviel Florentino and/or our other toolsy switch-hitting SS Billy Hamilton?

[Benihana]

My understanding is that there are two Dominican OF that are the cream of this year's crop - Eziel Hernandez and Ronald Guzman. Anyone else noteworthy that would be a huge score if the Reds could take down?

[Benihana]

Signing Day just three days away and still very little chatter on this. I know the day has meant less in the last year or two because teams need to complete age investigations, but this is disappointing.

[New Fever]

BA update today has only one Reds related item.

The two top-paid catchers in Latin America this year are expected to be a pair of Venezuelans: Jose Ruiz and Marck Malave. Ruiz, who has been tied to the Padres, has a projectable 6-foot-2, 180-pound frame, is an advanced defensive catcher and has shown projectable raw power. There is debate among scouts about his bat, but most scouts have said his hitting will need time to catch up to his defense. Malave's thicker frame doesn't have as much projection as Ruiz's, but he is a switch-hitting catcher with a strong arm. Malave had been linked to the Reds for much of the spring, but international sources more recently have connected the Cubs to Malave

[Benihana]

Rangers continue to be my envy, signing the top two international players on the market. They paid a whopping $8.5MM to sign outfielders Ronald Guzman and Nomar. No news from the Reds so far...

[texasdave]

Per MLBTraderumors.com:

Jose Ruiz - Venezuelan catcher to Padres
Dewin Perez - Colombian LHP to Cards
Enrique Acosta - Dominican SS to Cubs

[klw]

www.mlbtraderumors.com

Rangers: Approximately $8.5MM. Nomar Mazara (approx. $5MM), Ronald Guzman ($3.5MM).
Royals: $3.05MM. Elier Hernandez ($3.05MM).
Mariners: $2MM. Helsin Martinez ($2MM).
Cubs: $1.1MM. Enrique Acosta ($1.1MM).
Padres: $1.1MM. Jose Ruiz ($1.1MM).
Pirates: $1.05MM. Harold Ramirez ($1.05MM).
Mets: Approximately $1MM. Jose Garcia (less than $1MM).
Tigers: $750K. Adelin Santa ($750K).
Cardinals: $650K. Dewin Perez ($450K), Jose Godoy ($200K).
Twins: $650K. Miguel Gonzalez ($650K).
Braves: $230K. Iosif Bernal ($230K).
Astros: $220K. Arturo Michelena ($220K).
Indians: $200K. Francisco Miguel ($200K).

Plus Santa gets a deal with the Tigers
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/0...gue-deals.html

Now Todd Coffey won't be the only pro player with a belly that shakes when he laughs like a bowl full of jelly.

[Blitz Dorsey]

We've been so aggressive in recent years with international free agents (Juan Duran, Yorman Rodriguez, Aroldis Chapman, etc) that I really don't mind if we "take a year off" from throwing big money at someone. If there is someone they really love, by all means I want them to go after that player or players. However, this Reds brain trust has proven they know what they are doing in the international market (therefore I trust the brains of the brain trust). It's actually a breath of fresh air compared to the dark years when Bowden and the rest of the organization had no clue what they were doing in terms of scouting and signing international players.

[camisadelgolf]

I'd imagine that Aroldis Chapman's yearly bonuses are going to mean less big-name international free agents are signed.

[TOBTTReds]

Add this one for the Pirates from earlier today...

Pirates Sign Elvis Escobar
By Zach Links [July 3, 2011 at 12:31pm CST]
The Pirates have signed Venezuelan center fielder Elvis Escobar for $570,000, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. This is yet another significant international signing by the Pirates who inked Colombian outfielder Harold Ramirez to a deal yesterday.

Escobar is a 5-foot-9, 165-pound lefty with advanced baseball instincts and feel for hitting, Badler writes. The 16-year-old is the son of Jose Escobar, who played ten games with the Indians as a middle infielder in 1991. His older brother, Giants lefthander Edwin Escobar, signed with the Rangers for $350K in 2008. Escobar is also a cousin of Kelvim Escobar and Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar.

From MLBTR

[fearofpopvol1]

I may be wrong, but I'm betting the Reds are staying out of this year's international signings.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by fearofpopvol1

I may be wrong, but I'm betting the Reds are staying out of this year's international signings.

You are wrong.... they will absolutely be signing some guys. Just might not be any of the top 30 guys.

[Brutus]

Originally Posted by dougdirt

You are wrong.... they will absolutely be signing some guys. Just might not be any of the top 30 guys.

I think he meant they just weren't putting any money into the signing bonuses of those types.

Obviously every club signs at least a few dozen international guys each season.