Here are a few recent international signings of note:
- The Orioles announced today that they’ve signed outfielder Isaac Bellony. He’ll receive a $220K bonus, per Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). Bellony, originally born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, was signed out of the Dominican Republic. Baltimore GM Dan Duquette describes him as “a young, switch-hitting center fielder with power, speed, and a strong arm, who was recruited by several clubs.” Bellony didn’t rank among the top 50 international prospects from Baseball America, though the very fact that the Orioles are signing him at all is of note. Baltimore has refrained from participating in international free agency for years, reportedly as a directive under owner Peter Angelos, but Duquette plainly stated last month that the organization plans to change that philosophy as it embarks upon a lengthy rebuild.
- Indeed, the Orioles have even added additional spending capacity via trades. That has allowed them to make a volume of signings while also perhaps lining up bigger targets. (Rumors have focused on Cuban prospect Victor Victor Mesa.) Per Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter), the Baltimore organization has also recently inked infielder Moises Ramirez ($225K) and outfielders Damien Valdez ($200K) and J’Rudjeanon Isenia ($125K) to notable contracts.
- The Dodgers have signed Korean right-hander Hyun-Il Choi to a $300K bonus, according to a report from Ilgan Sports (Korean language link; h/t Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net, on Twitter). Choi, 18, will reportedly receive a $300K bonus to join the Los Angeles organization. It seems the young hurler was viewed as a top amateur draft target for KBO organizations before the Dodgers wooed him across the Pacific. This isn’t the first time that an MLB club has snatched a top Korean talent before he entered the professional ranks in his home country. The Braves recently inked infielder Ji-Hwan Bae in similar circumstances. (Of course, that signing also included some off-the-books funds and was part of the Braves’ international scandal. Bae ended up being made a free agent and signing with the Pirates.)
I don’t think Acuna or Albies were ranked in the top 50 of their classes either
Cool, good info. I was wondering if Choi was ranked. Post says he was highly sought after but not if he was top 50 IFA
Yeah, international signings are even more of a crapshoot than the draft is. Jose Ramirez only signed for a few thousand, while the Indians paid at least a million or two for Dorsyss Paulino. (I don’t know where Albies or Acuna were, but your point still stands.)
Acuña signed for all of $100,000 and was not ranked in the top 30. I guess Baseball America didn’t do 50 back then? Apparently only 3 teams physically saw him play before he signed.
Next Acuña hopefully. We could use it. A nice little V2 would be solid too.
Yes I was expecting the O’s to ha e signed more players by now. That’s what DD has led us to believe about a month ago.
I can’t believe we have an International Signings post followed with a signing by the Orioles!! I hope for their fan’s sake, it’s a sign of the Orioles changing philosophy!! Also, it would be awesome if they were able to hit on their first signing in a long time..
Do the Orioles even have an international scouting department?
Yeah its a great sign for them. They really need to expand their region. Its worked for so many other teams. They tried their hand in signing players out of Japan but it never worked to well. Kim didn’t work out at all, Chen wasn’t horrible but he didn’t work out well for them either. Koji was pretty decent but they felt he didnt live up to what they expected and moved him for Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis. I think going for Cubian players and players from DR may be better for them. I don’t think they have a International Scouting Department and if they do, i dont think they have enough experience as others in what to really look for. Hopefully these signings work for them and maybe they can get Mesa.
They have a department and have announced the influx of significantly more spending there.
LoL