That’s why I qualified it. Hicks does have a partner with Liverpool, but I suspect there’s some budget-sharing going on between all of Hicks’ clubs.

It’s an interesting dichotomy isn’t it? Call me crazy but I believe in him. I think the Cowboys tight end dynamic duo will be a big story this year and it will be interesting to see how the franchise handles this embarassment of riches (either through extensions, trades, standing pat, etc.)

Just edit the title and add this …

SPO-9:15- Henry
HIC-4-DH Pen/Boscan
BAK-9:00- Roark
FRS-7:00- Kiker
OKC-7:00- Mendoza
AZRL-pm- Grullon?

Thats great and all and when he does learn those things and starts throwing harder then i’ll start paying attention to him but as it stands he doesn’t do it for me. Maybe the Fonts and Perez’s of the last few years have spoiled me when it comes to LA kids but a RHP who sits in the 80s doesn’t ecite me at this time

Maybe ive just been spoiled the last couple years with our LA guys being harder throwers. He obviously is a good prospect to get that kind of bonus I just didn’t understand it with those radar readings. I expect he will add velocity as he gets into a professional program but until then he doesn’t do much for me.

Sophomore pitchers are great. Obviously their talent at that age is exactly how they’ll play at 23 in the majors.

in that, if this is just a tall right handed kid who can hit the upper 80s at age sixteen, then he is like literally thousands of American teenagers. what made this kid special enough to shell out half a mil to acquire? i think its a valid question.

oh jeez.

I never saw anything about him signing with anyone, but the Rangers were always listed as the frontrunner.

The Pirates are/were really counting on signing Sano. They put in serious wrench work to get in the mix for his services. It’s important to remember that while money is an important part of the process, establishing sound relationships with the players (especially if you have multiple teams bidding on them) is the real challenge. Most relationships start with the buscones. Some are looking out for the kids they represent and some are just looking out for their cut. The latter will do anything necessary to make their player stand-out including manipulation of documents and even physical tests (see link below). It gets really complicated when additional advisors show up to get a piece of the pie. The economic conditions and social structures dont make things easier.

Rene Gayo, the Pirates’ Dir. of LA scouting, might be the best living room man in the business. I’m fortunate enough to count him as a mentor (at least when it comes to career advice), so it really sucks that he couldnt make a splash with this haul. Hopefully the situation works out for the Pirates, but it’s a complicated issue and the most of the information coming out of LA is less than reliable. Of course, I’ve asked Rene about Sano and he continues to give me the Heisman. He would say there is a lesson in that.

Anyway, the Sano situation always makes me think about the signing process and how much time, effort, and money are spent trying to properly scout, secure, and sign an international player. It is the ultimate kick in the crotch to watch one slip away. I dont think LA Scouting Directors receive enough recognition.

Check out this story on Sano. It’s a good read. http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08335/931514-63.stm