2022 International Signing Tracker

[Tony-OH]

This will be the official place that we will announce once players are signed. 

The Orioles 2022 J2 signing class:

Braylin Tavara (CF) bonus $1.7 million million (video) - "He is one of the most well-rounded players in this year’s class and has a chance to be a five-tool player with above-average grades in the future.

At the plate, the lean and athletic 16-year-old shows a good approach and sound fundamentals with improving pitch recognition. Like most prospects his age, Tavera’s swing is a work in progress, but he already has good bat-to-ball skills and emerging power that projects to be a plus tool. He can run now, and the run tool is also expected to be a plus tool if he continues to develop at a normal pace. He continues to improve as a defender.

“He does everything easily and effortlessly,” Koby Perez said. “He is a player who was highly coveted by most of the teams in the league, and a lot of it had to do with us offering an opportunity. Us not having given out these types of bonuses in our history, it makes the player, you know, feel special to be the highest-paid international player. I think that really helped us land Braylin, because there was definitely a lot of competition for his services. He ranks No. 18 on Baseball America’s listing of the highest projected signing bonuses in this class and No. 22 on MLBPipeline.com’s listing of the top 50 international prospects. ”

César Prieto - 22-year-old Cuban infielder ( $650,000) (video) - "The athletic Prieto has shown good instincts, and the ability to play multiple infield positions. Think of him as a super-utility player. For now, it’s Prieto’s bat, not his glove, that provides him most value despite questions about his power. He’s considered an average defender at second base with room for improvement."

Leandro Arias (SS) - (video) Switch hitter ($600,00) - "Arias, a switch-hitting shortstop, has power potential from both sides of the plate. He has shown good bat-to-ball skills and has been praised for his overall hitting ability, including his advanced approach at the plate. His emerging run tool projects to be solid to average. The 16-year-old is still fine-tuning his actions on defense, but is expected to have enough arm strength and the skills necessary to keep him at shortstop as he makes his way through the Minors. Arias was ranked as the No. 46 prospect on the MLBPipeline.com top 50 prospects list. He’s a 16-year-old switch-hitter who gets 50 and 55 grades from MLBPipeline.com.  "

Edwin Amparo (SS) - (video) switch hitter ($650,00) - Very similar to Arias. Can play Short. Targeted him early. Has the arm to stick at short. Once considered a 7 figure player.

Thomas Sosa (OF) - (video) ($400,000) - Really like the approach, bat to ball skills. Wasn't being showcased at the time. "Gregory Polanco" body type. Can hit run, hit for some power.

Adrian Santos, (SS) Dominican Republic -($285k) RH, 6-3, lean. Has a good arm at SS. Maybe some power

Jean Mata (OF) - (swing video, video) - Venezuelan - ($210,000) Big game player. Lot of hit, can really run. 

Raylin Ramos, (OF) Dominican Republic - ($200,000) - Physical tools, some power.

Yirber Ruiz, (OF) Dominican Republic - ($200,000) CF, switch hitter, good runner, good performer. High profile who's market came back.

Aron Estrada, (INF) Venezuela - (175,000) Switch hitting INF. Defensively has a way to go. Good athlete.

Henry Tejada, (RHP) Dominican Republic - (165k) - RHP. 88-90, pitchability. More in there.

Cristian Benavides (SS), Venezuela - ($150,000) Good looking SS, some power, Right-hander. Tall and skinny. Average arm

Edrei Campos, (SS) Dominican Republic  - ($150,000) Straight bat. Keeps getting better. Got stronger. Got him late when his market fail. Not as polished defensively.

Elis Cuevas, (SS) Dominican Republic - (150,000) Switch hitter SS. Chance with the bat, defensively improving. Good tools. Development guy.

Jean Carlos Martinez - (OF) - (125k) Big strong guy, really athletic guy. Paperwork issues, age issues but cleared by.

Andrés Nolaya, (C) Venezuela - ($100k) Athletic catcher. Really good arm. Plays outfield as well. Can really run. 

Jesús Palacios, (RHP) Venezuela - (90k) Feel for three pitches, 87-90, t91. More in there when he gets strength. 6-2. 

Juan Peña, (RHP) Dominican Republic - ($75k) - Good change and slider, run it up 92. Command comes and goes. 6-1.

José Noguera, (C) Venezuela - $50,000. Defense first catcher, some strength.

Adrián Delgado, (RHP) Venezuela - ($50,000) (RHP) , runs it up 93 MPH. Command comes and goes.

Fernando Peguero, (SS) Dominican Republic - ($50k) Switch hitting middle infielder. Undersized. A performer. Can run.

Ezequiel Bonilla, (RHP) Panama - ($35,000) Pitchability strike thrower, run it up 88-91. 

Alfredo Velásquez, (INF) Venezula - (20k) Undersized, INF, probably 2B. 

Elías Moscoso, (RHP) Venezuela - (10K) - Undersized Righthander. Good arm.

Andrés Parra, (LHP) Venezuela - (10k) - Pitchability lefty.

Ronal Hererra, (RHP) Dominican Republic - (10K) - RHP, can pitch up to 92-94.

Miguel Mesa, (RHP) Dominican Republic - 

2021 International Tracker

[waynebug]

Excellent Tony. Thank you.

[Tony-OH]

7 minutes ago, waynebug said:

Excellent Tony. Thank you.

No problem, figured people would like the three more names no one else has mentioned yet!

[Frobby]

12 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

No problem, figured people would like the three more names no one else has mentioned yet!

Where are those names coming from?   

[Tony-OH]

4 minutes ago, Frobby said:

Where are those names coming from?   

A good source..

[CharmCityHokie]

Thanks Tony! With so little real baseball news this is actually something interesting and exciting to follow.

I'm curious about when I see some of these guys who are linked to the Orioles, but they're not technically signed yet, already wearing Orioles gear (Jean Mata for example in the second video link). Are they working out at the Orioles facility so they're given gear, or is it they shook hands and said here's your swag, we'll make it official Jan 15? Or just completely random and teams just give out logoed stuff in the DR to keep their brand relevant

[Tony-OH]

22 minutes ago, CharmCityHokie said:

Thanks Tony! With so little real baseball news this is actually something interesting and exciting to follow.

I'm curious about when I see some of these guys who are linked to the Orioles, but they're not technically signed yet, already wearing Orioles gear (Jean Mata for example in the second video link). Are they working out at the Orioles facility so they're given gear, or is it they shook hands and said here's your swag, we'll make it official Jan 15? Or just completely random and teams just give out logoed stuff in the DR to keep their brand relevant

Directly from an Orioles exec close to the situation.. "All of that is true. Amateur players are allowed a certain amount of days at teams complexes so some of the footage is there. Since they are players of interest they end up with much of every teams gear. Teams give out gear to players to make them feel good and also promotes the club in their home town."

 

 

[Frobby]

1 hour ago, Tony-OH said:

A good source..

Good enough!   I look forward to reading more about them once they’ve signed.   

[CharmCityHokie]

33 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Directly from an Orioles exec close to the situation.. "All of that is true. Amateur players are allowed a certain amount of days at teams complexes so some of the footage is there. Since they are players of interest they end up with much of every teams gear. Teams give out gear to players to make them feel good and also promotes the club in their home town."

 

 

Thanks so much Tony! I know it was kind of a random inquiry but to hear the response from a team Exec is super cool! Really appreciate it!

[Tony-OH]

11 minutes ago, CharmCityHokie said:

Thanks so much Tony! I know it was kind of a random inquiry but to hear the response from a team Exec is super cool! Really appreciate it!

No problem. There are certain people in the organization that are great in responding quickly for sure. It's great that they are giving fans some info when they are starving for it right now.

[waynebug]

Both shortstop look very similar.  About 6', 150 lbs.  At least.  Both switch hitters.  Amparo  especially had a good looking easily repeatable swing.

I'm going to guess $500,000 + for both.  Higher ceilings than Prieto ?

 

 

[NCRaven]

Tony, which of these players are from Cuba and which from the Dominican Republic - or elsewhere?

[Tony-OH]

11 minutes ago, NCRaven said:

Tony, which of these players are from Cuba and which from the Dominican Republic - or elsewhere?

Mata is from Venezuela, Prieto from Cuba the rest are DR guys.

[Frobby]

15 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Mata is from Venezuela, Prieto from Cuba the rest are DR guys.

Can we infer from the fact that your source mentioned these specific players that they are considered among the highlights of this Orioles class?   

No pitchers identified yet, I note.  
 

[Tony-OH]

Just now, Frobby said:

Can we infer from the fact that your source mentioned these specific players that they are considered among the highlights of this Orioles class?   

No pitchers identified yet, I note.  
 

Yes, these were the highlighted players of this class. I will get more info about them when they are officially signed.