The Orioles have signed Dominican third baseman Hector Veloz, writes Ben Badler of Baseball America. The O's director of international scouting, David Stockstill, confirmed to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun that the club has reached agreement on a deal with the 16-year-old.
Veloz reportedly received $300K, which would be a franchise record signing bonus for a Dominican amateur. Badler writes that the prospect has shown plus raw power from the right side, though his hitting in games has been spotty. For Veloz's deal to become official, he will have to pass a drug test. The youngster tested positive for an anabolic steroid in May.
Good signing. Adding position prospects is what the O’s need to do.
Is there any real way signing a foreign player who we know nothing about to a small bonus (relative) can be considered a bad move?
Eh fair enough. Although the O’s are rarely serious players in international signings so its an … uncharacteristic good move?!?!
Not good when he’s that young and has already tested positive for anabloic steroids.
link to sports.espn.go.com
37 of the 157 suspensions for performance enhancing drugs have been Dominican players. as of March 2009, every organization except the Astros had at least one player suspended for performance enhancing drugs. if anything, I’d rather see a 16 year old show signs of immaturity than a 30 year old. he still has time to grow up…
I would rather see someone who has more respect for the game than that.
Like all those cool all stars from the past like Pete Rose, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, etc., etc. amirite?
who wouldn’t? the world isn’t perfect. I’m just happy to see the O’s sign someone, anyone, from Latin America…
He’s 16. Everyone makes mistakes when they are 16.
para la información de muchos les quiero decir q de los prospecto dominicanos q salieron positivo, no fue por haber consumido voluntariamente la sustancia, sino q fue por un suplemento q no figuraba en las listas de las q no se podían consumir, por esa razón fue q Hector veloz, fue firmado porq se demostró q la sustancia con la cual había resultado positivo provenía de un suplemento por lo tanto antes de comentar de alguien infórmense primero, ya q dañan la imagen de una persona inocente q lo único q ha hecho es trabajar muy duro para poder obtener esta firma.