The White Sox have acquired righty Ricardo Pinto from the Phillies, per a club announcement. International bonus pool money of an unknown quantity will head to the Phils in the swap.
Pinto becomes the latest hurler to join the White Sox bullpen depth chart, though the odds are that he’ll open the season in the minors. The 24-year-old did not show well in his first effort at the majors but has generally been effective in the minors.
Last year, Pinto worked to a 3.86 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 60 2/3 Triple-A innings. Though he mostly functioned as a starter in prior seasons, he split his time between the rotation and bullpen in 2017. It certainly seems as if Pinto’s future hopes lie in the relief corps.
okey dokey
It might not be sexy, but I love when the team acquires international bonus pool money. I’m a big g fan of being able to get more, or bigger, tickets for the international lotto.
Stack it up!
Especially with the Phillies international scouts. It’s arguable that they have the best international scouting department.
Wouldn’t it make sense to have an international academy outside of the Dominican for players who are “newer to the game”.
For instance, get players who are really good at soccer, but not world class. Kids that are 15 and 16 in places where the $10,000 signing bonus is life-changing.
Put 60 kids like that in Ecuador, Bolivia, or Nicaragua, and teach them the basics. Without it going against the cap.
Not a bad idea. Those Dominican players were born with a ball in their hand though. They aren’t exactly new to the game when they step in the academy. Would be a huge learning curve for the others.
Which is why the other academy should be elsewhere.
I mentioned Ecuador, Bolivia, or Nigeria.
And the guys that “get it” move to the DR. Other guys remain as instructors or go scout.
I believe the Dodgers would argue against that statement !
The Cubs (in the penalty box) have signed 36 guys this time around.
A few of those might accidentally get good.
They have like who?
Only one in the top 30. Here’s a list.
https://www.thecubreporter.com/03242018/cubs-sign-cuban-catcher
As Branch Ricky believed “quality through quantity.”
The anti-Tomas way of thinking.