Reds sign Dominican lefty for $730,000

[texasdave]

Originally Posted by Vottomatic

I heard he was the waterboy and someone insulted his mother. He picked up a baseball and threw it at them really hard. Next thing you know, he was a starting pitcher.

"My mama says.........."

Gaatoraddeee!!! Water sucks! It really, really sucks!

[redsmetz]

Here's a piece on the international pool which doesn't really answer my question specifically. I'm guessing we're some where in the $2M+ range given where we finished last year, but I can't say for sure.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

Here's a piece on the international pool which doesn't really answer my question specifically. I'm guessing we're some where in the $2M+ range given where we finished last year, but I can't say for sure.

Sounds right. And this is the only real signing of note, so probably the only one we spent six figures on.

[Scrap Irony]

I love to see high upside lefties.

Constante likely to start in Arizona instructs or the Dominican League? I'd guess the DSL, but would love to see him in instructs in Arizona, then Billings.

[dougdirt]

Originally Posted by Scrap Irony

I love to see high upside lefties.

Constante likely to start in Arizona instructs or the Dominican League? I'd guess the DSL, but would love to see him in instructs in Arizona, then Billings.

He will be 19 before the season starts. My guess is that he will be in Arizona.

[cincyinco]

Plus he's apparent fluent in English and Spanish, which will help when coming over to the states.

[lollipopcurve]

Plus he's apparent fluent in English and Spanish, which will help when coming over to the states.

Absolutely. I'll be surprised if he isn't in the AZL or Billings.

[RED VAN HOT]

Can anyone with expertise in this area comment on his mechanics on the basis of the videos posted? I would think on a sign like this the Reds would be inclined to take it slowly and keep him in AZ until summer of 2014. Any thoughts? Not sure if it means anything, but I noticed what could be described as a slight recoil at the end of his delivery.

[Benihana]

Great news. I believe he's the highest profile international signing since Yorman in August 2008 (not including Chapman of course).

Love high-upside lefties. Between Constante, Guillon, Garrett, and Diaz, the Reds have a few nice looking young lefties to pair with righties Stephenson, Travieso, Romano, Cisco, Langfield and Moscot.

The 21-and-under club is looking pretty good, which will hopefully serve us well when the current guys in the big league rotation hit free agency in 3-4 years.

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by Benihana

Great news. I believe he's the highest profile international signing since Yorman in August 2008 (not including Chapman of course).

Love high-upside lefties. Between Constante, Guillon, Garrett, and Diaz, the Reds have a few nice looking young lefties to pair with righties Stephenson, Travieso, Romano, Cisco, Langfield and Moscot.

The 21-and-under club is looking pretty good, which will hopefully serve us well when the current guys in the big league rotation hit free agency in 3-4 years.

Pedro Diaz is a righty. Also, don't be afraid to throw Mason Felt on the list. In the 2012 draft, the Reds drafted a few lefty pitchers who have high upside. However, there's the matter of whether they can ever to learn to throw strikes . . .

[Benihana]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

Pedro Diaz is a righty. Also, don't be afraid to throw Mason Felt on the list. In the 2012 draft, the Reds drafted a few lefty pitchers who have high upside. However, there's the matter of whether they can ever to learn to throw strikes . . .

Oops on Diaz- my bad.

Still, there are 3 lefties and 7 righties among the top 10 arms in the system 21 and under. That's a pretty good mix.

Would like to see Felt recover from his injuries from the car accident first. Unfortunately the kid has a long road to recovery ahead of him.

[kaldaniels]

What slot on the Reds prospect list does he slide into? Top 15?

[camisadelgolf]

Originally Posted by kaldaniels

What slot on the Reds prospect list does he slide into? Top 15?

Nah. I'd say that kind of signing bonus would indicate he's the equivalent to about a 4th round draft pick.

[lollipopcurve]

Not sure if it means anything, but I noticed what could be described as a slight recoil at the end of his delivery.

To me, he's got a slight resemblance to Johan Santana. Simple delivery, easy tempo, over-the-top. Though he's not the short-armer Santana is. Could become dangerous if he can develop that changeup.

[New Fever]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

Nah. I'd say that kind of signing bonus would indicate he's the equivalent to about a 4th round draft pick.

I don't know about that, he would have gotten much more money in the old International free agent system. A bunch of teams have used most of their bonus money already.