2023 International signing class tracker

[Tony-OH]

The Orioles 2023 J2 singing class was highlighted by SS Luis Almeyda who signed for an Orioles record $2.3 million bonus. Almeyda was considered the #20 prospect by MLB.com and the only top 50 prospect signed by the Orioles. The Orioles next highest bonus was $500,000 shortstop/third baseman Joshua Liranzo.

The Orioles 2023 J2 signing class:

Luis Ayden Almeyda - SS: 6-3, 180 athletic shortstop with pop signed for $2.3 million, the largest ever bonus given to an international amateur by the Orioles. He becomes the club’s first international signee with a bonus exceeding $2 million. Almeyda was considered the #20 international prospect by MLB.com. English speaker who born and raised from New Jersey. 

“Off the bat, I knew the Orioles were the organization for me,” Almeyda said. “My decision is how I want to develop as a player, and I know the Baltimore Orioles have the best farm system. I know, me as a person, I would like to develop as a baseball player with this organization. I’m just very happy right now. I can’t wait for my journey to start.”

Joshua Liranzo - SS/3B - 6-2, 170 athletic SS/3B with big bat speed signed for $500,000. Trainer is Fernado Tatis Sr. Very young for the class. EV well over 100 MPH at 16-years old. Plenty of Power to move to third. 90 MPH across diamnons.

Jordan Sanchez - OF: December signee with left money signed for $450K. He's an 18-year old kid with power potential but with some length in his swing. Defensively he's probably heading to corner outfield. Similar to Kyle Stowers.

Jose Mejia - 2B/SS: Polished bat for age who most likely profiles at 2B defensively. Comes from a different background. Parent are doctors and is bilingual. Very educated young man. 5-11, 170 guy. Physically looks like a 2B. $410.

Felix Amparo - SS: At just 5-10, 140 pounds, he impacts fastballs and reportedly has soft hands and a plus arm to stick at SS. Defensively is plus. Wiry strong and plus runner. Should stick at SS. $350K singing bonus.

Keeler Morfe - RHP: 16-yr old, 5-11 Venezuelan with "lightning quick" arm up to 95 MPH. Solid slider already and pitchability is good. $210K.. Anderson Espinosa (big bonus guy).

Luis Guavera - SS: Late -blooming switch-hitting shortstop from Venezuela. He is said to be a leadoff type with excellent bat to ball skill and gap power potential. He is considered one of the better hitters from Venezuela. Reportedly has plus arm strength and should be able to stay up the middle. Should stick at SS. Could move quick. $200K. Could be this year's Estrada.

Francisco Morao- LHP: 17, was signed out Venezuela. His fastball is up to 92 mph and he has a12-to-6 curveball with good rotation that misses bats. His changeup flashes average as well. Good pitchability. 200K

Abrahman Coen- OF : Left-handed hitting outfielder with a chance to hit. $140K

Sabastian Del Los Santos- SS: Small projection guy. May need two years in DSL.

Xavier Alvaro - RHP: Cuban up to 93MPH. 80K

Omar Urbina - C : Potential to hit for power and stolid defender. 80K

Raymond Sosa- RHP: Big body kid who may throw harder in the future.

Luis Vicioso - C : 19-year old catcher who is the half brother of Jorge Mateo. O's like the bat a bit.

Signees after the initial deadline.

Jan 21 - Eccel Correa, RHP, 6-0, 170, 2/1/2003, Cuba

April 27 - Ledwin Gonzalez, LHP, 5-11, 160, 6/22/2006, Dominican Republic

May 25 - Jose Perez, SS, 5-10, 150, 5/15/2005, Dominican Republic

May 26 - Alberto Leandro, RHP, 6-3, 171, 4/24/2002, Venezuela (twin brother of Jose Leandro)

May 31 - Eriner Bautista, RHP, 5-10, 180, 1/30/2004, Dominican Republic 

June 19 - Juan Duran, RHP , 6-0, 160, 11/25/2003, Dominican Republic

June 23 - Angel Bolivar, RHP, 6-1, 175, 10/1/2005, Venezuela 

July 1 - Wander Frias, SS, 5-10, 155, 9/05/2005, Dominican Republic 

July 11 - Carlos Brito, RHP, 5-11, 160, 8/22/2002, Dominican Republic 

August 4 - Jeyderson Mora, RHP, 6-0, 145, 3/13/2005, Venezuela 

October 13 - Guachi Jelus, RHP, 6-2, 180, 11/24/2003, Dominican Republic 

November 10 - Andy Tena, LHP (likely on older side); hit 91 mph in social media clips from Driveline-like training facilities

December 2 - Jordan Sanchez, 18-year-old lefty outfielder with power from Cuba; $450k bonus

December 2 - Andy Fabian, 20 year-old LHP who was with Hiroshima Carp Dominican Academy for a while

December 2 - Salvador Casado RHP, tall pitcher from Luven Academy

2022 Class Tracker

 

[Frobby]

@Tony-OH, where are you hearing about Lirzano, Mejia, Amparo and Morfe?  That’s the first I’ve heard of those names.  

[Frobby]

Any relation between Felix Amparo and Edwin Amparo, our 2022 signee?   I realize that certain Latin American surnames are very common.   

[Tony-OH]

17 hours ago, Frobby said:

@Tony-OH, where are you hearing about Lirzano, Mejia, Amparo and Morfe?  That’s the first I’ve heard of those names.  

Nice to get info you don't hear anywhere else now isn't it?

I still have my contacts.

[Tony-OH]

17 hours ago, Frobby said:

Any relation between Felix Amparo and Edwin Amparo, our 2022 signee?   I realize that certain Latin American surnames are very common.   

No, they are not related.

[byrdz]

 

[Frobby]

Tried to get Perez to say when the new academy would be complete, but no dice.  

[Tony-OH]

6 hours ago, Frobby said:

Tried to get Perez to say when the new academy would be complete, but no dice.  

Definitely something weird with that situation. No idea what, but just something is weird with how Elias and Koby try to avoid that question.

[Frobby]

58 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Definitely something weird with that situation. No idea what, but just something is weird with how Elias and Koby try to avoid that question.

I’m guessing they just don’t want to promise a date and then find out there’s been another delay.  

[SpOkane]

1 hour ago, Frobby said:

I’m guessing they just don’t want to promise a date and then find out there’s been another delay.  

Lift-Off 2: Trouble in the DR

[Tony-OH]

Updated with all 200K bonus signings and higher plus some bonus guys.

 

[Frobby]

Koby’s presser today, mostly about Almeda.  https://video.masnsports.com/video/Koby Perez after Orioles ink 27 international free agents/3565

[Frobby]

2 hours ago, Tony-OH said:

Updated with all 200K bonus signings and higher plus some bonus guys.

 

So Melewski’s earlier tweet that had Morfe’s $210 k bonus as the third biggest in our class was wrong.

[RZNJ]

I get a Tony Fernandez vibe from Felix Amparo between body type and many of his throws.  

 

[RZNJ]

https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-orioles-open-the-2022-23-international-signing-period-by-adding-27#:~:text=Mejía%2C 17%2C a native of,chance to develop 50 power.
 

Glowing report but I guess this is how Perez and team view these guys.