Twins agree to terms to sign 16yo Venezuelan OF Misael Urbina

[nytwinsfan]

Urbina is the third ranked international prospect for the 2018-19 period, according to MLB.com:  https://www.mlb.com/news/2018-top-30-international-prospects-list/c-273511500?tid=151437456

 

His MLB.com scouting report says:  

Hometown: Valencia, Venezuela
Position: OF Age: 15 DOB: 04/26/2002
Bats: R Throws: R Height: 6'0" Weight: 175 lb.Watch
Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55
Urbina is a gamer. The teenager has spent the last several years participating in the Venezuelan Winter League's parallel program for young players and has gained valuable experience against skilled players -- many of which are professional and several years older than he is. The high level of competition has helped shape the teen into one of the most coveted and well-rounded players in this year's class.

On offense, Urbina is a line-drive hitter with a high baseball IQ and projects to have plus speed and a plus hit tool. He has been clocked in the 6.5-6.6-second range in the 60-yard timed run and is expected to be a plus runner.

On the other side of the ball, he's already an advanced defender for his age. Urbina's arm remains a work in progress, but scouts believe he'll end up with a playable average arm. He has been praised for his instincts and evaluators love his makeup.

Urbina is from Valencia, Venezuela, and is trained by Yasser Mendez. The Twins are the favorite to sign him.

 

 

Sounds like a great get, but probably pretty expensive. 

 

Here is a facebook-based video of him from when he was 15 (he turned 16 just in the last few days):  https://www.facebook.com/BaseballAmericaMag/videos/10155483689823719/  From the video he seems to be well bulit but still lean and to have pretty athletic movements. But that's just me as a lay scout.

[nicksaviking]

Excellent!

 

Plenty of time to change that line-drive swing. C'mon kid, get with the modern times!

[terrydactyls]

They need to start teaching him how to swing for the fences and strike out a lot. No more "hit to contact" with the new Twins.

[Ben Noble]

There's plenty of noise in his load, but he's only 15 in that video and there's a lot to like in that swing. Looks like a great get.

[Pitz]

What is the situation with the Twins bonus pool? Didn't they already use a significant chunk of their 2018-2019 pool to sign Severino from the Braves?

[Platoon]

What's his launch angle?

[nytwinsfan]

 

What is the situation with the Twins bonus pool? Didn't they already use a significant chunk of their 2018-2019 pool to sign Severino from the Braves?

Yeah, I thought so too. Not sure how they can get him then. 

[Pitz]

interesting that the article also lists the Twins among 11 teams expected to be aggressive in this years international market.

[operation mindcrime]

I'm excited that tomorrow's July 2nd! I hope we sign some real gems during this signing period!

[TheLeviathan]

Nice get!

[Squirrel]

https://www.twincities.com/2018/07/02/report-twins-agree-at-2-75-million-for-venezuelan-outfielder-misael-urbina/

 

“According to MLB.com, Urbina will receive a $2.75 million bonus upon passing his physical. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder, who turned 16 in April, is expected to draw the largest bonus out of Venezuela this year.”

 

P.S. I edited the title to reflect the current news.

[diehardtwinsfan]

based on teh date, this is last year's bonus pool, correct?

[MN_ExPat]

^{Not sure.   MLB listed the bonus pool as just north of 6 million, so... hopefully someone is way more knowledgeable than me on the current actual bonus pool.}

[diehardtwinsfan]

I know we used this year's cash to acquire that guy from Atlanta, so we won't be at 6M... I'm guessing though that due to the date signed, Urbina comes out of last year's pool. I don't think you can sign ahead like that.

[Squirrel]

 

based on teh date, this is last year's bonus pool, correct?

I don't think so. He was signed today. And Severino, whom the Twins signed in December, also counts as part of this 2018/19 international pool.

[Squirrel]

 

 

I know we used this year's cash to acquire that guy from Atlanta, so we won't be at 6M... I'm guessing though that due to the date signed, Urbina comes out of last year's pool. I don't think you can sign ahead like that.

He wasn't signed in April. If you read above, I changed the title of this thread to reflect the current-ness of the news. The original thread was there to say we were most likely to sign him, and today we did. Well, upon completion of his physical we will. We've agreed to terms today.

[diehardtwinsfan]

got it.  thanks.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

The Twins pool was a skosh more than $6M.  Severino took $2.5M and Urbina gets $2.75, leaving a bit more than $750K.  (I think)

[ashbury]

There's plenty of noise in his load

If he succeeds, then it's a "timing mechanism."

[jkcarew]

 

From the video he seems to be well bulit but still lean and to have pretty athletic movements. But that's just me as a lay scout.

Just turned 16 and he's already at 175 on a 6-0 frame.  That has the makings of more 'well-built' than 'lean'.  Might matter if speed seems to be one of the most prominent tools they are projecting.  I want a picture of mom and dad.  

[Dman]

Seeing a lot of prospect acquisitions with above average hit tool and good eye at the plate for the Twins.  Sounds like those are the carrying tools they seek.  

[2wins87]

On the bonus pool situation, it's worth noting that there are a few teams who are unable to spend more than 300K on individual international signings due to overspending penalties from previous years--notably Oakland and Cincinnati who each have $6M pools.

 

So they could definitely work out some deals to expand their pool if they are chasing a few other big signings.

[Brandon]

Oakland is in the Wildcard race and we have pitchers to trade for pool money.

 

Santana

Odorizzi

Mejia

Reed

Rodney

 

I wonder if we could get 3-4 million pool money as part of a trade with Oakland?

[Brandon]

Have we signed anyone else yet? And how many top 30 are left?

[Mike Sixel]

Have we signed anyone else yet? And how many top 30 are left?

Fangraphs has a board you can check.

 

They have the twins guy twelfth... The board will be updated for prospects soon.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/scoutboard.aspx