MLB International Signings 2012: Tracking Where Top Prospects Land
July 2 might not seem like a special day to most of the world, but for Major League Baseball, it is significant in the international signing community.
It is the official start of the international signing period. Teams will be moving fast and furiously to lock up the next wave of talented, albeit incredibly raw, foreign prospects who could turn into future MLB superstars.
With so many moves happening in what will likely be a short amount of time, we will be keeping track of all the latest things going on with every player and team.
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| Gustavo Cabrera, OF | San Francisco Giants ($1.3 million) |
| Franklin Barreto, C | Toronto Blue Jays |
| Jose Mujica, RHP | TBA |
| Jose Castillo, LHP | TBA |
| Luis Torrens, C | New York Yankees ($1.3 million) |
| Luis Castro, SS | Toronto Blue Jays |
| Luiz Gohara, LHP | TBA |
| Jairo Beras, OF | Texas Rangers ($4.5 million)* |
| Gustavo Cabrera, OF | San Francisco Giants ($1.3 million) |
| Alexander Palma, OF | New York Yankees ($800,000) |
| Carlos Belen, 3B | San Diego Padres |
| Wendell Rijo, SS | TBA |
| Amed Rosario, SS | New York Mets ($1.75 million) |
| Richard Urena, SS | TBA |
| Frandy de la Rosa, SS | Chicago Cubs ($700,000) |
| Nathaniel Javier, 3B | San Francisco Giants ($500,000) |
| Luis Barrera, OF | TBA |
| Jose Almonte, RHP | Boston Red Sox ($610,000) |
| Ronny Carvajal, OF | TBA |
| Deivi Grullon, C | Philadelphia Phillies ($575,000) |
Signing amounts courtesy of MLB.com and Baseball America
*Beras has had a deal in place with the Rangers, but the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that MLB is investigating the authenticity of his birth certificate. No deal can be finalized until the investigation is complete.
Top Prospect Reports
Luis Torrens, C, Signed with NYY
Torrens is new to the catching position, but at 16 years old, he has plenty of time to learn all the nuances of playing behind the plate.
Where Torrens makes his money is with the bat. He has he a good, controlled swing and a strong, selective eye at the plate. He doesn't project to hit a lot of home runs, but he should develop into a 12-15 homers-per-year player.
Torrens' arm is the biggest reason he is catching right now, though it is unclear if he will be able to handle the position as he moves through the system.
Gustavo Cabrera, OF, Signed with SF
In his report, MLB.com prospect guru Jonathan Mayo said that Cabrera's package of skills and athleticism compares "to Arizona outfielder Justin Upton when he was the same age."
While those are lofty standards for any player to live up to, Cabrera does make you dream when he is on the field. He has a great hit tool, with bat speed and power projection. He can run and has a good feel for the game.
Cabrera has all the tools to be a plus defender in right, though he is years away from hitting that potential.
Jose Mujica, RHP, TBA
It is not a particularly deep year for pitchers on the international market, but Mujica certainly stands out.
Already showing good movement on a fastball that can hit the low-90s and a lot of projection in his 6'2", 180-pound frame, Mujica is the best potential starting pitcher available.
Mujica is still learning to pitch rather than just throw, so his offspeed stuff is going to need a lot of fine-tuning from wherever he decides to go. He could end up as a mid-rotation starter when all is said and done.
