It’s tough to know what to make of Cuban shortstop Roberto Baldoquin, who recently agreed to terms with the Angels, Ben Badler of Baseball America writes (subscription-only). Baldoquin didn’t hit well in Cuba and wasn’t even playing regularly, Badler notes. Baldoquin did, however, make a good impression on some teams. He could stick at shortstop or move to second base, and he has ironed out some issues with his swing and might end up having doubles power. Badler notes, however, that Baldoquin “isn’t considered a premium hitter.” Here are more notes on international agreements and potential acquisitions.
- Speaking of Baldoquin, his deal has not yet been finalized, as Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register writes. Baldoquin is currently working out in the Dominican Republic, which has yet to issue him a visa that would allow him to travel to the US to take a physical. Fletcher also notes that including the tax for exceeding their international bonus allotment, the Angels will pay about $15MM total for Baldoquin. That total indicates the Angels have much more faith in Baldoquin than many scouts do.
- FOX Sports’ C.J. Nitkowski takes a close look at two Korean players, Kwang-hyun Kim and Jung-ho Kang, who are looking to make the transition to MLB. Nitkowski played with both of them when he was pitching in Korea. The lefty Kim profiles as a reliever or a back-of-the-rotation starter, Nitkowski writes, noting that Kim’s changeup and curveball need improvement. Kang put up huge power numbers in Korea, but against lesser competition. It’s also unclear whether he can stick at shortstop.
Nothing special updated data with kim & kang.
“an MLB scout told me he has more range than Hanley Ramirez, which is an interesting comparison when you consider the Dodgers need for a shortstop.” It’s also interesting when you consider that Ramirez’s range is kind of terrible. So, we are unsure about his bat and his range is only slightly better than Hanley’s? No thanks.
The Angels have more faith than scouts apparently do because they have a lot of justified faith in their coaching. That’s why, despite their minor league shortcomings, they keep producing productive major leaguers, and might have their third top 5 ROY in the last 4 years. And I think even if Baldoquin turns out to at least be equivalent to Erick Aybar at SS, then I think it’s a success.
15 million for an Erick Aybar type? No thanks.
And personally I don’t see him being even as productive as Aybar. Will he even make the majors is a better question
There’s not enough information to eve predict that.
$15 million is nothing. Aybar has the 3rd highest WAR among MLB SS’s since 2011. So yeah, I think it would be a success if Baldoquin turns out to be at least that.
Aybar was the #3 prospect for the angels at 20. He was a top 50 prospect at the age of 21 in all of baseball. There is no way you could compare the 2 as having the same value. He will never have the range that Aybar has.
None of that has anything to do with how much value Boldequin will have. All you did was list Aybar’s prospect rankings. And I’m not even comparing the two. I said “IF”.
Why did you say baldoquin turn out to be at least that like he will be worth more? Baldoquin is a big gamble that he make it the major leagues. More likely if he does it will be at 2b not ss. That is from what the scouts are saying. Every team in baseball has signed a international player like Boldequin and most never make it the majors. $15 million is a big gamble on a player with double power and not the best at his position on his national team.
Where is the hard data that says he will never have range Aybar has?
Sounds like a big over pay for a player with high school skills. To many teams over paying international players.
This signing is an overpay, but I wouldn’t say that that has been the trend. Recent promising international signings include Jose Abreu and Masahiro Tanaka.
Those are established stars in their league. I am talking about young players with very little professional time. Seeing a 16 year old getting a $3 million contract makes no sense. This guy was not even a starter on his team. For ever Tanaka their is a Wang or 3.