International signings

[gunnarthor]

MLBpipeline has their list of the top 30 international guys.  I don't believe the Twins are connected to any of them at this point.

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016?list=int

[Winston Smith]

Lots of shortstops and a few catchers which of course we don't need is the likely reason for a lack of interest.

Attendance has been down the last few years which equals less income so my guess is they won't spend big.

Anyone know which teams are blocked out this year for overspending?

[Hrbowski]

 

Lots of shortstops and a few catchers which of course we don't need is the likely reason for a lack of interest.

Attendance has been down the last few years which equals less income so my guess is they won't spend big.

Anyone know which teams are blocked out this year for overspending?

The Cubs and Dodgers are. Blue Jays and Giants might be.

[markos]

 

MLBpipeline has their list of the top 30 international guys.  I don't believe the Twins are connected to any of them at this point.

 

http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2016?list=int

I clicked on all 30 names, and the Twins weren't mentioned anywhere. From the looks of things, it appears that the Brave, Padres and Nats have at least 50% of the top players. I haven't heard the Twins mentioned from any of the other international signing blurbs that I've seen.

[Vanimal46]

I remember the name Armenteros over the winter, and I'm still very intrigued by him. Kevin Maitan touted as a "Once in a Generation" prospect? I think there's room on the team for one of those... And the 2 16 year old C's of course. 

[nicksaviking]

I remember hearing the Twins were solidly tied to someone, though I can't recall who either on this site or MLBTR, probably both. Either it's not listed in the blurbs for the MLB list, or he isn't on the list.

 

I'm sure it's a solid list, but it was only about three months ago that Armenteros was the biggest International Superstar ever and he's only sitting at #4 here.

[Hrbowski]

 

I remember the name Armenteros over the winter, and I'm still very intrigued by him. Kevin Maitan touted as a "Once in a Generation" prospect? I think there's room on the team for one of those... And the 2 16 year old C's of course.

Armenteros is the only one without a deal in place. Vladimir Gutierrez, Lazaro Armenteros, and Randy Arozarena are available, so we should be keeping an eye on them.

[diehardtwinsfan]

It will be interesting to watch as the Twins were supposedly really excited about this upcoming class and were rumored to be one of the teams willing to overspend this year.  Given it will likely be the last year they can do this, it might not be a bad option...

[Mike Sixel]

Dreamers

[Monkeypaws]

 

I clicked on all 30 names, and the Twins weren't mentioned anywhere. From the looks of things, it appears that the Brave, Padres and Nats have at least 50% of the top players. I haven't heard the Twins mentioned from any of the other international signing blurbs that I've seen.

I looked over them as well. 

 

The Padres are in on 6, including 2 in the top 5, 3 in the top 10, 4 in the top 15. Braves also favorites for 6. They both must be going all in this year.

 

Nationals mentioned thrice, Cards, Brewers and Phillies twice.

 

Very few of these linked to AL teams: just 2 to the A's, and one each to Seattle and Texas.

 

A few of the Cubans are just striaght up free agents, thus not linked to anybody at this point.

 

Seems like the Twins Venezuelan pipeline has dried up.

 

Maybe we have some Aussies tucked away in the outback with pens in hand.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Disappointing. I am really not all that excited about very many batters in the Twins system at all. We need to get in on as much talent as possible, and this is the easiest way to go about that.

[gunnarthor]

 

Disappointing. I am really not all that excited about very many batters in the Twins system at all. We need to get in on as much talent as possible, and this is the easiest way to go about that.

Yeah, but keep in mind these guys won't make the majors for at least six years so the current system doesn't really matter. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Disappointing. I am really not all that excited about very many batters in the Twins system at all. We need to get in on as much talent as possible, and this is the easiest way to go about that.

 

Completely agree here.  I think this would be a good year for the Twins to go all in, especially if they are high on the talent... though to be clear, these are 16 year old kids.  None of them will be ready to help soon. 

 

It will be interesting to see what they do and whether or not the rumors were all talk (probably) or if there's fire there. 

[Mike Sixel]

Yeah, but keep in mind these guys won't make the majors for at least six years so the current system doesn't really matter.

 

So they shouldn't sign any? Or was that just about the present system? For a team that wants to supposedly build from within, they should be in on these guys.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

So they shouldn't sign any? Or was that just about the present system? For a team that wants to supposedly build from within, they should be in on these guys.

 

No one was saying that... Just don't plan on them being household names for at least 5 years.

[gunnarthor]

 

So they shouldn't sign any? Or was that just about the present system? For a team that wants to supposedly build from within, they should be in on these guys.

No, I was just referring to ShouldaWouldaCoulda's comment about the system not having a lot of bats.  These international kids won't really affect the current system (A-AAA).  That's all.  By the time a 16 year old kid is ready for A+, for instance, our system might have switched over and be completely bat heavy.  I guess it was a roundabout way of saying the Twins shouldn't sign a 16 year old kid based on need and just sign the most talent they can. 

[Mike Sixel]

No, I was just referring to ShouldaWouldaCoulda's comment about the system not having a lot of bats. These international kids won't really affect the current system (A-AAA). That's all. By the time a 16 year old kid is ready for A+, for instance, our system might have switched over and be completely bat heavy. I guess it was a roundabout way of saying the Twins shouldn't sign a 16 year old kid based on need and just sign the most talent they can.

Agreed, thanks.

[biggentleben]

 

No, I was just referring to ShouldaWouldaCoulda's comment about the system not having a lot of bats.  These international kids won't really affect the current system (A-AAA).  That's all.  By the time a 16 year old kid is ready for A+, for instance, our system might have switched over and be completely bat heavy.  I guess it was a roundabout way of saying the Twins shouldn't sign a 16 year old kid based on need and just sign the most talent they can. 

 

That all depends on the kid, though. The Braves have a J2 2013 signee knocking at the door at AAA at 19 already. They have a J2 2014 signee tearing up Rome and possibly on a similar trajectory. Interestingly, neither was the biggest dollar hitter in their class, and neither was part of a big-dollar class. The right bat can move very quickly through the system.

[old nurse]

The 19 year old at AAA has a few adjustments to make. 18-19 year olds in class A ball is  not unusual. 

 

I suppose in the day and age of social media and 24/7 news rehash it should be common knowledge who any given team is going after. Thus the lack of information tying the team to any player gets people worried. They have been signing players so there is no reason to suspect they won't. It just might not be a name player.  IIRC, the no name players can reach the majors about as often as the name players.

[old nurse]

 

 

No, I was just referring to ShouldaWouldaCoulda's comment about the system not having a lot of bats.  These international kids won't really affect the current system (A-AAA).  That's all.  By the time a 16 year old kid is ready for A+, for instance, our system might have switched over and be completely bat heavy.  I guess it was a roundabout way of saying the Twins shouldn't sign a 16 year old kid based on need and just sign the most talent they can. 

Best players available is fairly subjective when looking at 16 year olds.  In general wouldn't you be looking for up the middle of the field players ( C- P-SS-CF) first and move out from there when assessing 16 year old players. When the player from outside that range is taken it should be for an exceptional set of skills with a bat.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Best players available is fairly subjective when looking at 16 year olds.  In general wouldn't you be looking for up the middle of the field players ( C- P-SS-CF) first and move out from there when assessing 16 year old players. When the player from outside that range is taken it should be for an exceptional set of skills with a bat.

 

BPA is subjective in general.  It's rather difficult to quantify as there's no metric that defines it.  Add to it with 16 year olds, there's less to go on about things like mental capacity or how they will handle all that money that's being tossed their way. Most of these kids are rather poor as well, so handing a million dollars to a 16 year old that grew up in rags with raw sewage running through his front yard presents all sorts of different kids of risk. 

 

To your second point, agreed on all counts.  I might add 3B in to that as elite 3B aren't always easy to find as well, but usually that is how it works as the most athletic tend to play up the middle, and if the bat does well, you can always move them.

[eLee612]

I wouldn't take the fact that Twins aren't mentioned in these little blurbs as anything super significant. I got to take in quite a few showcases while living in the DR this past winter, and I promise you - every single team has eyes and ears on the ground.

 

// Edited to add: on the topic of a surplus of shortstops... I wish I had the percentage data to back it up, but lots of these SSs will play a different position before they reach actual professional ball. So many scouting reports note some variation of "may profile better at 3rd base..." Everyone wants to be that 5-tool dream team middle infielder, buuuuut.....

[gunnarthor]

 

Best players available is fairly subjective when looking at 16 year olds.  In general wouldn't you be looking for up the middle of the field players ( C- P-SS-CF) first and move out from there when assessing 16 year old players. When the player from outside that range is taken it should be for an exceptional set of skills with a bat.

Sure.  I guess what I meant is that the team shouldn't send a guy down and say, "find me a catcher b/c we have none in our system right now" or whatever and just sign the best talent available. 

[biggentleben]

 

The 19 year old at AAA has a few adjustments to make. 18-19 year olds in class A ball is  not unusual. 

 

And last season that 19 year-old was in A ball, which is why I said similar projection. For a J2 guy one year after his pro debut to be a in a full-season league is fairly unusual, especially for the non-elite guys.

[darin617]

I was curious if the Twins have signed any players from the international draft since July 2nd. I cannot recall hearing of any signings but could have missed something.

[drivlikejehu]

I was told I was overreacting at the lack of information and that the Twins surely wouldn't leave a bunch of their allotment on the table. So, hmm . . . 

[gunnarthor]

There's a thread in the minor league forum on this but so far, BA has reported the following 8 guys were signed.  

Wander Valdez, 3b, Dominican Republic, $495,000.
Jesus Feliz, ss, Dominican Republic. $260,000.
Stamy Gabriel Urena, ss, Dominican Republic. $130,000.
Victor Heredia, c, Venezuela
Francisco Martinez, of, Dominican Republic
Prelander Berroa, rhp, Dominican Republic
Junior Navas, rhp, Venezuela
Michael Montero, rhp, Venezuela
Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/team-team-international-signing-tracker/#67VwAJiXPf7UK7Hs.99

[nicksaviking]

Merging this with the original thread.

 

Any news from those in the know is welcome. Looks like the team is/may be well short of their cap.

[Mike Sixel]

Bah, it's not like international signings turn into Sano, Kepler, or even Polanco types....why bother?

[old nurse]

 

Disappointing. I am really not all that excited about very many batters in the Twins system at all. We need to get in on as much talent as possible, and this is the easiest way to go about that.

Projecting 16 year olds is easy?  OK.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/1/28/1960857/2010-international-signings-roundup

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20 players considered the best, in order.  I think one has made it to the big leagues, many are out of baseball by 22