July 2: International Thread
Some links:
David Brown Interviews BA's Ben Badler: Link
Keith Law: Link
BA: Link
DPL: Link
Because of the abstract nature of scouting 15/16/17 year-olds, the reports can and will vary a great deal. For example: I've heard crazy hyperbole about Mexican RHP Luis Heredia, with some people calling him the best Mexican arm in recent memory, with Ynoa-like projection. Others, like Klaw, mention that his body might have some question marks and his secondary stuff is fringy. At this point, its best to look at these reports on the surface and remember that player development is the name of the game.
Another thing to keep in mind: If the Rangers don't make a splash by signing Peguero (another player with conflicting scouting reports), or another top 25 name, it doesn't mean they won't be able to acquire projectable talent as the year progresses. In a weaker class, at least on paper, the names attached to the team might not be familiar to the average fan, or even the die-hard fan, but finding the hidden gem is the most exciting aspect of amateur scouting, and the Rangers have one of the most competent international departments in baseball. So rest assured, that even with limited resources, Daly and Co. should be able to find interesting talent to add to the stockpile.
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Who's the international market's Mike Olt?
We’re signing that guy.
Because Mike Olt doesn’t need to get paid. He’ll also drive himself to games and pay for the motel room by groundskeeping the ballpark.
http://oursaviorchuck.ytmnd.com/
by Conjunction on Jul 2, 2010 10:22 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
You going to be around should any of us common folk have questions about some of these kids?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
I'm common folk as well, but sure
I’m limited in what I can discuss because of my indirect involvement with a few teams, but I can certainly answer basic stuff.
You may be common, but you're still mysterious.
Appreciate it.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
Can you say which teams?
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 2, 2010 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd rather not
Considering how I operate down in Mexico, its not in my best interest to discuss the specific involvements with mlb teams. My role is very basic: I write reports on players in a specific region and pass them along to interested parties. I’m a small fish.
International man of mystery: Professor Parks.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
by Aqua on Jul 2, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Indeed he is
Considering how I operate down in Mexico,
I feel like he could be a contract killer or contract spy or double-agent, all while posing as a baseball scout.
"LSJ is jealous that the M’s fans have a sucky team that they can whine and snark about. We’re stuck with a good team in first place." -- Adam Von Marriagesmasher
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
He's a fucking hipster.
The 40 trumps all!
"WHY IS LIAM POPPINS STICKING. IT'S AN ABSURDLY BAD NICKNAME"
-LiamP(oppins)
by thedirkatron on Jul 4, 2010 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions
"Of a Death Cab for Cutie song, maybe."
- Jason Parks.
The 40 trumps all!
"WHY IS LIAM POPPINS STICKING. IT'S AN ABSURDLY BAD NICKNAME"
-LiamP(oppins)
Sobs
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jul 2, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
is he wearing slacks in that video?
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
by Ryin A on Jul 2, 2010 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
And more
Athletics signed 3B Renato Nunez, LHP Anderson Mata and LHP Jose Torres.
All three are international free agents out of Venezuela. As mentioned earlier, Nunez is getting a $2.2 million bonus that will be one of the highest given to a 16-year-old this year. Fanhouse’s Frankie Pillere ranked Nunez second and Mata 10th among Venezuelan prospects available this summer.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
Drug testing
From Badler’s interview with David (and something that’s been reported by him previously):
The other huge factor is that Major League Baseball has required 40 of the top Dominican prospects to pre-register with MLB, which includes the players consenting to a drug test and to an investigation of their age and identity. That process has slowed down the market, with reports this week of nearly half of those 40 players failing their drug tests and MLB still not having completed all of their age and identity investigations.
Sounds like a lot of Dominicans will be signed later after teams have had a chance to get more info.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
PEDs
’roids: Winstrol
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
"If I had caught it, the force would have taken me through the fence." -- Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs about a Nelson Cruz line drive.
by NorCalRangersFan on Jul 2, 2010 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions
This part was interesting.
While a player who has signed a contract is subject to 50-game suspension for a positive drug test, any player who tests positive under MLB’s registration program would not be suspended, according to multiple industry sources. Upon signing, those players will have to take another drug test, and a positive test in that case would result in a 50-game suspension.
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
"If I had caught it, the force would have taken me through the fence." -- Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs about a Nelson Cruz line drive.
by NorCalRangersFan on Jul 2, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions
So i guess they get clean then sign?
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
I guess
How long does it take for steroids to clear out of your system?
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
"If I had caught it, the force would have taken me through the fence." -- Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs about a Nelson Cruz line drive.
by NorCalRangersFan on Jul 2, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Depends on what you're using
It’s weird because these kids are so young and probably not that wealthy…you’d think they wouldn’t use the crazy stuff.
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jul 2, 2010 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions
when i was in highschool
a lot of guys my age spent 300 or 400 dollars a month on winstrol. basically any and every dollar they could earn
"Drinks are on me if Lewis posts >168IP and an era lower than 3.86." by RangerMad on Jan 20, 2010 12:36 PM PST
That shit's cheaper down there, of course.
But my guess is it’s also not quite as quality controlled.
The 40 trumps all!
"WHY IS LIAM POPPINS STICKING. IT'S AN ABSURDLY BAD NICKNAME"
-LiamP(oppins)
by thedirkatron on Jul 4, 2010 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions
I recall a really information Outside the Lines that documented how easily
Latin American players could obtain horse steroids. They were both cheap and immediately available to anyone who wanted them.
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
They're very easy to get.
You ever been to a border-town? They have ‘Farmacias’ EVERYWHERE. You meet a doctor at one end of a bar like table…then slide down to the end with a prescription in your hand, give it to a pharmacist and get whatever the hell you want really (steroids, opiates, benzos).
I don’t know if it’s still as easy, but back in the mid 90’s it was like walking into a Wal-Mart.
"Sometimes you just want to sit back and watch somebody throw 100." - Jeff Passan on Neftali Feliz
"Baseball's all that's real" - JB
It's prolly more of the GNC-grade PED's in a lot of cases.
I have nothing to back that up, of course.
But that’d seem to track.
You ever read the back of those fucking things?
Half the shit in any GNC at your local mall would get you popped as a juicer by MLB/NFL/etc.
The 40 trumps all!
"WHY IS LIAM POPPINS STICKING. IT'S AN ABSURDLY BAD NICKNAME"
-LiamP(oppins)
by thedirkatron on Jul 4, 2010 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Can you give us insight on them
Or did you contribute that info to particular teams?
http://oursaviorchuck.ytmnd.com/
Not really
I don’t have any direct involvement in the process. I will write scouting reports and pass them along, but that’s where my contribution ends.
more j2 links
I’ve got a lot of j2 links over at M&M that I am still updating. Take a gander.
Fuck Tom Hicks
The Rangers have to sell Michael Main for $2M. The A’s sign a guy for $2.2MM.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
by Kinslerhomer on Jul 2, 2010 10:53 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
BTW, fuck soccer for messing up Twitter again
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
International Thread
The Dutch just handed the Brasilians their ass… wow
What a game for Felipe Melo… he makes an unbelievable pass to Robinho to put the Brasilians ahead, he heads the ball in in for an own goal, and then steps all over Van Persie to earn himself a red…
What a game. Very physical… not an easy day for that ref, but he got it right
Main
is a little overrated. He has an abysmal groundball rate, injury trouble, and #3 starter stuff.
It still sucks to give him up for Bengie Molina’s salary, but I’d much rather have another Jurick Profar.
http://oursaviorchuck.ytmnd.com/
Well, if we had 1.5mm to spend, and needed a catcher, and could either send them Main for 1.5 and spend in the j2 market, or vice-versa... then, yah, I guess you could say it gained us some money.
Circuitous logic, FTMFW!!!!!
The 40 trumps all!
"WHY IS LIAM POPPINS STICKING. IT'S AN ABSURDLY BAD NICKNAME"
-LiamP(oppins)
by thedirkatron on Jul 4, 2010 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions
different and unrelated budgets
I for one am most certainly NOT willing to punt a J2 class just to keep Main.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
Especially if we can get someone like Peguero.
That guy is going to be special, imo.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
Sucks that Arangure isn't covering J2 this year.
He was a goldmine of information last year.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
Why isn't he?
His and Kiley McDaniel’s J2 Twitter updates helped quell the misery of BarBri for me last year.
"LSJ is jealous that the M’s fans have a sucky team that they can whine and snark about. We’re stuck with a good team in first place." -- Adam Von Marriagesmasher
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
A little OT Jason...
but I’m curious about your opinion of giving up Main in the Molina deal?
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
Depends on the secondary move(s)
On the surface, I’m not a fan of the trade, although I do like the addition of Molina. However, if the Rangers can allocate the extra funds in a way that enhances the team during the stretch, or allows them to sign a more expensive international FA, I don’t have a problem with it. This is why building a deep farm system is so vital to an organization with limited financial resources. I like Main as a prospect, but his development has been a little bumpy and his ultimate ceiling isnt what it was a few years ago. This trade has a chance to bite the team on the ass, but more than likely we won’t be talking about it down the line.
Wait...
…so don’t jump?
If Brad Pitt is playing Beane who do you want playing you?
JD: Eddie Guardado.
by GhettoBear04 on Jul 2, 2010 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
No July 2 signings this year
From Sullivan’s notes column today:
Rangers not getting involved in international signings
ARLINGTON — The Rangers, having made a big splash in January, are sitting out the current international signing period. As of July 2, clubs are allowed to start signing the latest clash of amateur free agents out of Latin America, but the Rangers aren’t getting heavily involved.
The Rangers signed catcher Jorge Alfaro out of Colombia in January for $1.3 million and that will stand as their biggest acquisition this time around. With the uncertainty about their ownership situation still unresolved, the Rangers prefer to direct their limited financial resources toward any possible acquisitions at the Major League level.
The Rangers have often been one of the most active teams in Latin America and spent approximately $2.5 million a year ago to sign shortstops Jurickson Profar, Luis Sardinas and several other players after the July 2 deadline.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
F ME
GODDAMMIT. I HATE YOU SO MUCH, TOM HICKS. I’M NOT GOING TO EVEN BOTHER TRYING TO PUT IT INTO WORDS.
http://oursaviorchuck.ytmnd.com/
FML
What the hell are we gonna talk about, then?
Pro baseball has always been a dream, so this is pretty freakin’ cool out here. -- Tim Steggall, undrafted Rangers minor leaguer.
Not surprised.
Everybody had to see this as a realistic possibility. Everything up to this point has suggested that we have no cash to spend.
I had assumed this was happening when we had no new news of late.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
BTW, I tweeted to Ben Badler (BA guy on international signings) to ask if what we'd heard about the Rangers sitting out the LA period was true.
His response:
BenBadler That would surprise me, although their
financial situation makes things dicier to project
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
BTW, Baseball America trick working again for login.
Should checkout all of their International stuff. Very good.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
According to this BA article, the Rangers are expected to sign the top LA prospect
Peguero.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
Whoa!
That’d be awesome.
Whether we sign him or not, I dunno, but there’s a reason why I was suspicious of the report that we were sitting out LA. Sure, based on the bankruptcy, there’s reason to believe that there might be an issue with the LA budget, but when the only report is by TR Sullivan and its wholly uncorroborated by anyone else, I remain skeptical.
"LSJ is jealous that the M’s fans have a sucky team that they can whine and snark about. We’re stuck with a good team in first place." -- Adam Von Marriagesmasher
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
BA scouting report pegs him as a better version of Profar, from what I can tell.
Probably won’t stay at SS because of range issues, but has the arm and reactions for 3B.
Don’t expect him to hit a ton of HRs early, but could develop decent power. He’s got the frame for it.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton
What's a "better version of Profar"? He gets 99.9 percent of the HOF vote on his first-ballot rather than just 99.5?
"LSJ is jealous that the M’s fans have a sucky team that they can whine and snark about. We’re stuck with a good team in first place." -- Adam Von Marriagesmasher
"I’m gonna go on record here and say a great many things excuse throwing a chair at someone." – D.A. Tron
If we do
It won’t be till August. After the trade deadline.
"I was going to say, 'You’re gay for Elvis.' But then I realized that I, too, am gay for Elvis." ~Adam J. Morris.
well, after the sale is done, anyway
is my bet
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
added thought
perhaps they’ve convinced Peguero to wait a few weeks? I can dream.
Freude schöner Götterfunken, Tochter aus Elysium, Freude!
They may have stashed him
It’s not like that has never happened before.
"I support you, Wash; I’ve always supported you," Young said
"Back on the scene, with a gangsta lean" RW
We supposedly have a very good relationship with his agent.
He was the same guy we worked with to sign Alfaro, and we signed the agent’s son last December.
"When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty."- General George S. Patton





























