A closer look at a couple of minor league hitters
A closer look at a couple of minor league hitters
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Both players advanced to Double-A Bowie last season and both produced a final OPS of .800 or better. They both showed some nice pop during their time on the field, which was limited by injury for one of these players. When I spoke recently with the new Orioles co-hitting coach Ryan Fuller for this entry and also this one, we talked further about minor league first baseman Andrew Daschbach and shortstop Joey Ortiz. Ortiz had labrum surgery on his non-throwing left shoulder in July, but did take...
A few thoughts on what lies ahead for the Nationals
A few thoughts on what lies ahead for the Nationals
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
For most of the past decade, the offseason has meant pretty much one thing for Nationals fans: Watch carefully as general manager Mike Rizzo makes moves to improve the few holes on the team and eagerly anticipate the first workout of pitchers and catchers in spring training. Not this winter. And not just because the business of baseball has been brought to a screeching halt by a labor stoppage. When Rizzo pulled the plug on a 97-loss campaign that resulted in a last-place finish in the...
More on Orioles' signings and releases
More on Orioles' signings and releases
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The noticeable increase in international spending by the Orioles included six-figure bonuses for Edwin Amparo and Leandro Arias. They have more in common than cash. Amparo ($650,000) and Arias ($600,000) are Dominican-born shortstops. They're teenagers and switch-hitters, with the latter ranked as the No. 46 prospect in MLBPipeline.com's Top 50 list. Here's what the club said about both players in Saturday's news release announcing the 24 signings: Arias, 16, is a shortstop prospect...
International program's contribution to the elite talent pipeline
International program's contribution to the elite talent pipeline
Steve Melewski
Orioles
With a new academy coming in the Dominican Republic and their latest signing class announced yesterday, the Orioles' resurgent international program keeps growing and getting better. The elite talent pipeline, international division, got better as a result. On one Saturday afternoon, the Orioles announced the signings of 24 players and spent their entire pool allotment of over $6.2 million, according to Koby Perez, the club's senior director of international scouting. Where the Orioles once...
Reviewing the latest news from the Orioles
Reviewing the latest news from the Orioles
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Who needs major league roster moves when a team can stir up its fan base with adjustments to the ballpark's dimensions and an historic day of international signings? Reaction to the former has been mixed on social media. It's much harder to argue an organization's willingness to spend proficiently in the foreign market after years of resistance. And honestly, the latter is much more important. The Orioles made a big splash by doing a cannonball into the international pool. They spent the...
What to make of Romero's latest transgression
What to make of Romero's latest transgression
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
It wouldn't be a stretch to say that left-hander Seth Romero could be running out of chances with the Nationals. News that the 25-year-old left-hander was arrested Friday morning in Sweeny, Texas, on a charge of driving while intoxicated is only the latest misstep in a checkered career for the 25th overall selection in the 2017 First-Year Player Draft, who has just three major league relief appearances in the 2020 campaign on his register. Romero was released on a $5,000 bond, according to...
Nationals agree to terms with 10 international free agents
Nationals agree to terms with 10 international free agents
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with ten international free agents on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Vice President and Assistant General Manager of International Operations Johnny DiPuglia made the joint announcement. CUBA PLAYER POS B/T HT WT AGE D.O.B. HOMETOWN SIGNING SCOUT Marlon Perez LHP L/L 5-10 180 21 3/16/00 Havana Modesto Ulloa Cristhian Vaquero CF S/R 6-3 180 17 9/13/04 Havana Johnny DiPuglia *No. 1 prospect in...
Orioles open the international signing period by adding 24 players
Orioles open the international signing period by adding 24 players
Doug Miller
Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles today announced that they have opened the 2021-22 International Signing Period with 24 contract agreements. Highlighting the Orioles' 2021-22 International signing class are: OF Braylin Tavera, the Orioles' highest-paid international signee in club history; INF César Prieto, a high-profile Cuban prospect; top 50 MLB Pipeline International prospect SS Leandro Arias; as well as SS Edwin Amparo and OF Thomas Sosa. Additionally, 10 more of the group are six-figure...
Vaquero signs record deal for international prospect with Nats
Vaquero signs record deal for international prospect with Nats
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
As has been widely expected, the Nationals officially announced the signing of Cuban outfielder Cristhian Vaquero as the international signing period opened today. The 17-year-old switch-hitter is considered by many the top prospect in this international class. The Nationals agreed to terms with 10 players from three different countries, headlined by Vaquero, to open this signing period. Vaquero has reportedly been signed to a $4,925,000 bonus, which is a new club record for an international...
O's add Braylin Tavera at $1.7 million as signing period begins (updated)
O's add Braylin Tavera at $1.7 million as signing period begins (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
A new international signing period arrived today in Major League Baseball and the Orioles have announced a class of 24 players. This includes 16-year-old outfielder Braylin Tavera from the Dominican Republic. The 6-foot-2, 175-lb. right-handed hitter agreed to a bonus of $1.7 million, according to MLB.com, and that is the largest ever given by the club to an international amateur. Tavera, who profiles as a speedy center fielder, also features some power potential and gets scouting grades of 50...