The Astros signed top Dominican outfield prospect Ariel Ovando, according to the team. Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that the Astros will pay Ovando a franchise-record bonus worth between $2.6-2.8MM. The 16-year-old bats left-handed and plays right field, and the Astros see him as an impact player.
“Ariel profiles as a middle of the order power hitter with excellent defensive skills,” GM Ed Wade said. “He profiles as a front line major league right fielder and should move quickly through the minor league system.”
Executives in the Astros' system compared Ovando to players such as Darryl Strawberry, Domonic Brown Jason Heyward, Fred McGriff, Carlos Delgado and Cliff Floyd. That's an impressive group of players, and it's not just the Astros building hype. Two scouts who chatted to MLBTR contributor Blake Bentley compared Ovando to Strawberry earlier in the season.
Wait, seriously? The Astros made a good move?
Whoaaaaaa.
I’ll take it.
I have been following baseball since before the draft was initiated, back when teams signed “bonus babies”. While some things change, others don’t. One thing that doesn’t change is that when major league teams shell out a lot of money to sign a prospect, they always talk about that signing as “the next (insert name of great player) . . .” In reality of course, that player is just as likely to be the next in a long, long line of failed prospects.
My all time favorite is a fellow named Tommy Carroll, a bonus baby SS signed by the Yankees in 1956, who was compared at the time to Mickey Mantle. Poor Tommy Carroll never could live up to that comparison and had a very brief, very forgettable career. There have been lots of Tommy Carrolls since then and I think worth remembering that these comparisons are hype and hope, but not fact.
No one has ever said they were fact.
Rocco Baldelli used to be compared to Joe Dimaggio.
“I have been following baseball since before the draft was initiated”
Wow. Can I have your autograph?
“One thing that doesn’t change is that when major league teams shell out a lot of money to sign a prospect, they always talk about that signing as “the next (insert name of great player) . . .” In reality of course, that player is just as likely to be the next in a long, long line of failed prospects.”
So what should they do? Just shrug their shoulders and say they signed a guy, he’s a baseball player, and stay tuned?
You really have to believe in a 16yo. to pay him this kind of money. I hope it works out for Houston. And for their sake, this isn’t the next Jackson Melian (NYY).
I am stunned, shocked, shocked and stunned. Holy crap. We actually signed a guy worth a flip? Well, lets keep going. Sign that Arodis kid too, and a couple pitchers down there.
Then sign Delino Jr… Or don’t and get the #9 pick for next year!
I am stunned, shocked, shocked and stunned. Holy crap. We actually signed a guy worth a flip? Well, lets keep going. Sign that Arodis kid too, and a couple pitchers down there.
Then sign Delino Jr… Or don’t and get the #9 pick for next year!
YAY! Astros sign another unknown guy who we pay millions to that, most likely, won’t become trash in the Bigs! I love it! *sarcasm* -_-
But… We do need the prospects…
So, you are trashing the Astros and doubting this 16-year old with huge potential will amount to anything BUT you ackowledge they desparately need to infuse the system with fresh talent and new prospects…talk about unrealistic expectations.
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