Franklin Barreto Rumors
Blue Jays Sign Franklin Barreto
FRIDAY: Barreto obtained a $1.45MM bonus, ESPN.com's Keith Law reports (on Twitter). Luis Castillo obtained an $800K bonus from Toronto, Law adds.
MONDAY: The Blue Jays have signed Venezuelan shortstop/centerfielder Franklin Barreto, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. The 5'9", 175-pound prospect is Baseball America's top-ranked international prospect in the July 2nd class. Terms of the deal are not yet known but Barreto had been expected to sign with the Blue Jays for nearly $2MM.
Badler writes that few amateurs have ever matched the 16-year-old's history of dominance representing Venezuela in international competitions. Several teams had Barreto as the No. 1 player on their board and some scouts project him as a future plus hitter. Most teams, however, don't expect him to stick and shortstop and expect to see him wind up in centerfield.
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