International News, Rumor and Signing Thread

[Preacher]

C Abrahan Gutierrez:

Gutierrez was one of the class’s bigger names early in the process because his body matured sooner than his peers’. The Braves were in hot pursuit of him early on and he’s expected to sign with them. Though he’s lost some mobility in recent months, Gutierrez has enough defensive skill to remain at catcher long term provided he keeps his body in check and remains mobile. The concerns surrounding his movement skills have grown but he doesn’t turn 17 until Halloween and a pro conditioning program should help. He has average raw arm strength that plays down because of how long it take Gutierrez to rise from his crouch but that should be cleaned up, at least a bit, with instruction. Offensively, Gutierrez has some pull power because of raw strength in his hands but lacks exceptional bat speed. He might never be more than a 40 hitter with 45 game power but if he can catch that will play.

Wow has his stock fallen in the eyes of some. That scouting reports sounds incredibly pedestrian. Average arm strength, below average athletic ability, average bat speed with some pull power.

[smootness]

So according to that report, Severino has 'alarming' power for his size and would be one of the most intriguing prospects if he sticks at SS...but will have to outperform expectations with the bat to stick as a regular at 2B?

Scouts are weird sometimes.

[bravos4evr]

So according to that report, Severino has 'alarming' power for his size and would be one of the most intriguing prospects if he sticks at SS...but will have to outperform expectations with the bat to stick as a regular at 2B?

Scouts are weird sometimes.

Yeah... the way those reports are written sometimes give the reader the impression that someone is trying to cover their behind

[nsacpi]

Yeah... the way those reports are written sometimes give the reader the impression that someone is trying to cover their behind

My understanding is that most of these players have the potential to be potentially good or bad.

[Tapate50]

My understanding is that most of these players have the potential to be potentially good or bad.

[bravos4evr]

My understanding is that most of these players have the potential to be potentially good or bad.

"his goody goodness is good but tempered by baddy badness and some goody badness, but we think the bad goodness combined with the good goodness should help him overcome some of his baddy badness over time."

[CJ9]

Wow, interesting news from Baseball America about Boston potentially being penalized for breaking some of the international rules last year:

The penalties being considered, according to those sources, include signing restrictions for the upcoming 2016-17 international signing period, and possibly making several of Boston’s top 2015 international signings free agents, who would then be available to sign with any team.
The timing of the disciplinary action is significant. Several Venezuelan players were expected to sign contracts with the Red Sox on July 2, but if these penalties are imposed, those players would no longer be able to sign with Boston. That includes 16-year-old outfielder Roimer Bolivar, the No. 31 international prospect on Baseball America’s Top 50 international prospects list.

Two of their most prominent signings last year were Venezuelan outfielders Albert Guaimaro and Simon Muzziotti for $300,000 bonuses each on July 2. Guaimaro was BA’s No. 15 international prospect last year, while Muzziotti ranked No. 24. They have both been playing in the Dominican Summer League.

Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/inter...KXcvpOp412v.99

[bravesfanMatt]

Wow, interesting news from Baseball America about Boston potentially being penalized for breaking some of the international rules last year:

The penalties being considered, according to those sources, include signing restrictions for the upcoming 2016-17 international signing period, and possibly making several of Boston’s top 2015 international signings free agents, who would then be available to sign with any team.
The timing of the disciplinary action is significant. Several Venezuelan players were expected to sign contracts with the Red Sox on July 2, but if these penalties are imposed, those players would no longer be able to sign with Boston. That includes 16-year-old outfielder Roimer Bolivar, the No. 31 international prospect on Baseball America’s Top 50 international prospects list.

Two of their most prominent signings last year were Venezuelan outfielders Albert Guaimaro and Simon Muzziotti for $300,000 bonuses each on July 2. Guaimaro was BA’s No. 15 international prospect last year, while Muzziotti ranked No. 24. They have both been playing in the Dominican Summer League.

Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/inter...KXcvpOp412v.99

good.. don't care if we sign any of them.. but if they cheated, then they need to be punished.

[Pugfan]

good.. don't care if we sign any of them.. but if they cheated, then they need to be punished.

They love to cheat up in Boston

[jpx7]

They love to cheat up in Boston

It started with cheating the British. As a country, I think we owe them to overlook it.

[MadduxFanII]

So according to that report, Severino has 'alarming' power for his size and would be one of the most intriguing prospects if he sticks at SS...but will have to outperform expectations with the bat to stick as a regular at 2B?

Scouts are weird sometimes.

Many, many years ago, I read one of those capsule scouting reports for a random draftee. The report said the guy had a "body type similar to Brad Rigby."

Body type similar to Brad Rigby. Very helpful. Very insightful.

[50PoundHead]

I despise the Red Sox, but my guess is that there are so many shenanigans in the international market that everyone would be penalized if MLB looked close enough.

[Preacher]

Handshake deals aren't supposed to happen either.....

[chop2chip]

According to Keith Law, the Nationals are pushing really hard last minute for Kevin Maitan.

[The Chosen One]

According to Keith Law, the Nationals are pushing really hard last minute for Kevin Maitan.

Lol.

[bravesfanMatt]

According to Keith Law, the Nationals are pushing really hard last minute for Kevin Maitan.

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insid...ikely-sign-mlb

any insiders what to get a cliff notes version.

[MadduxFanII]

According to Keith Law, the Nationals are pushing really hard last minute for Kevin Maitan.

I might actually murder someone if that happens. And it might be the first poster who says, "Look, losing Maitan isn't THAT big a deal."

[Preacher]

According to Keith Law, the Nationals are pushing really hard last minute for Kevin Maitan.

I would hate them so much.

[CJ9]

Wow, interesting news from Baseball America about Boston potentially being penalized for breaking some of the international rules last year:

The penalties being considered, according to those sources, include signing restrictions for the upcoming 2016-17 international signing period, and possibly making several of Boston’s top 2015 international signings free agents, who would then be available to sign with any team.
The timing of the disciplinary action is significant. Several Venezuelan players were expected to sign contracts with the Red Sox on July 2, but if these penalties are imposed, those players would no longer be able to sign with Boston. That includes 16-year-old outfielder Roimer Bolivar, the No. 31 international prospect on Baseball America’s Top 50 international prospects list.

Two of their most prominent signings last year were Venezuelan outfielders Albert Guaimaro and Simon Muzziotti for $300,000 bonuses each on July 2. Guaimaro was BA’s No. 15 international prospect last year, while Muzziotti ranked No. 24. They have both been playing in the Dominican Summer League.

Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/inter...KXcvpOp412v.99

Buster Olney saying this is happening, Boston won't sign anyone in this international period that starts tomorrow. Prospects voided from last year: OFs Simon Muzziotti, Albert Guaimaro, P Cesar Gonzalez, INF Antonio Pinero. BA ranked Guaimaro 15th and Muzziotti 24th. This will be interesting.

Jeff Passan's story on it: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/source-...153432545.html

[CJ9]

Passan on the five players who had their contracts voided: "They are free to sign with any team starting Saturday, the start of the new international signing period, and the first $300,000 of their bonuses will not count against teams’ bonus-pool limits. The players, according to the source, will keep their original signing bonuses from Boston."

Also important to keep in mind that BA's No. 31 prospect in this current international class was also expected to sign with Boston.