Prospect Insider - Lat Am signing day plus notes

Lat Am signing day plus notes

By Jason A. Churchill

By 07-02-2010

Some of you have been asking all spring about the Seattle Mariners and the Latin American signing period. I haven't been able to follow it as closely the past two years because my contacts are now in other positions and I've yet to develop another direct contact for the Latin area. It's difficult, since they rarely set foot in the states, except for the head of that department, such as Bob Engle, and he's not much a media guy.

But I did dig up enough to get some information out there that you may not otherwise have.

Seattle isn't expected to blow up the market, but could make more than one seven-figure signing.

Seattle's targets include outfielder Philips Castillo (poor-quality photo at right) who may get more than $2 million. He's a right-handed hitter with power to spare, maybe a 60 or 65 on the scouting scale, plus bat speed and some athleticism that should allow him to be adequate in a corner outfield spot.

He turned 16 in February but is built well already and could end up over 200 pounds by the time he's done developing physically. He's also got plus arm strength, but needs to work on his throwing mechanics, along with the rest of his defense. He's been working out in right field.

The swing is raw and inconsistent, but it's also simple and he does show the ability to square it up in BP, and he gets good leverage and loft, which will help him hit for power right away.

He's not a plus runner, however, which means his bat will have to carry him. ESPN Insider's Keith Law says he has a chance to hit for average, too.

From the video I have seen, I see a Jose Guillen type player, minus the 80 arm, with a chance for more power.

Seattle is not only the favorite for Castillo, but they already have an agreement in place.

The Mariners are also said to be in on shortstop Esteilon Peguero from the Dominican and outfielder Yorman Garcia from Venezuela, who each rank among the top prospects in the class.

Peguero might end up the prize talent, but Garcia is considered a legit center field prospect, making him just as attractive a prospect.

Ben Badler of Baseball America has already reported that Seattle is expected to sign Colombian RHP Jose Torres for $800,000 and 3B Jordi Calderon from Venezuela for about a half-million bucks, which, combined with the Castillo deal, makes for a strong class.

The M's are also still in on Rafael DePaula despite his age and ID falsification issue. He's 19 not 18, but that doesn't disqualify them from pursuing the Dominican right-hander, it just may not cost them quite as much dough, and he's still considered a legit prospect.

I have also been told that Seattle might be a late and mystery player for 3B Elvis Sanchez, but nobody else seems to have heard that so perhaps it's bad third-party information.

One thing to remember is that Seattle probably saved somewhere between $1 million and $2 million on this year's draft class since they had no first-round pick, and that cash could easily be put toward a better Latin haul.

I have been led to believe that the Mariners are probably going to land one of the other top three -- Garcia, Sanchez, Peguero or DePaula -- and call it a Latin summer.

And don't be surprised if one or more of those signings isn't announced until as late as next week, whether Seattle nets them or not.

The New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and the Texas Rangers are expected to be throwing big money around starting Friday as well, giving the M's mucho competition.

Farm Notes
Chris Crawford's piece on Nick Franklin's season and chances to get promoted to High Desert this summer is coming Saturday around Noon PT.

If you have been wondering, Franklin has been out for a few days with an illness. He's not hurt, and hasn't been cut, traded or abducted by aliens.

Bedard
Erik Bedard made his third rehab start and first for Triple-A Tacoma Thursday, lasting 4 1/3 innings and allowing an unearned run on three walks and three hits while striking out three.

PI Eye Paul Marsh was at the game in Tacoma and reported that Bedard was 88-89 on the gun, touching 90 early but not late and appeared to be laboring for much of his outing.

He threw 51 of 81 pitches for strikes, and we wonder if perhaps Bedard will need another start with the Rainiers to get to the 90-100 pitch level and perhaps work out some kinks while building some stamina.

Internationally
The Mariners are also on the cusp of signing a number of prospects outside Latin America, but I've yet to dig up any specific names on that front.

Mid-season Top 30 Prospects
The Top 30 is almost done. As soon as the July 2 signing days passes, I will make one final edit to get any top signing into the rankings and then post it for subscribers only.

The Top 30 will not include any draftees that have not signed, but I will reveal where each would currently rank if they were signed, sealed and delivered.

lat-am-signing-day-plus-notes

Comments
The following 17 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: rjfrik on 07-02-2010 03:08:00
cant wait for the 30

2. By: slick on 07-02-2010 03:24:33
I think I would prefer Peguero over the others nice track record in the DPL and not just a workout warrior. I think alot depends on who did not test positive for PED's as Ben Badler suggests up to 20 of the top 40 talents in the DR could test positive.

3. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-02-2010 03:29:14
You'd be amazed how much these teams already know about most of these players, though.

There's a reason why Peguero and Garcia and Sanchez, et al, are considered 7 figure guys. The teams scouts know these guys and their coaches and families so well, and usually have a real nice idea whether they are on the juice or not.

If Seattle, or other clubs, are really high on a guy, good chance he's one of the clean ones.

4. By: randallball on 07-02-2010 10:37:39
3B Renato Nunez to the A's for $2.2m.

RH with potential + power.

Let's get the signings rolling!

5. By: Lailoken on 07-02-2010 11:41:48
The M's signed a Dutch left-hander in April by the name of Scott Ronnenbergh apparently.

6. By: John_S on 07-02-2010 13:21:07
Here's a vid on Philips Castillo. Around the 4 min mark is when he starts BP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtp5VH4Cwtc

7. By: randallball on 07-02-2010 13:53:11
Nick Franklin and Michael Pineda both made BA's first half minor league All Performance team.

8. By: slick on 07-02-2010 15:35:04
jose torres to oakland

9. By: shemberry on 07-02-2010 15:41:50
According to mlbtraderumors that is a different Jose Torres.

10. By: krob4mvp on 07-02-2010 19:33:22
Erik Bedard's Bullpen session last night looked very good. The velocity was down a bit but his 2-Seam fast ball and 11-5 Curveball had a lot of life. I saw him throw approximately 30 pitches and he was keeping the ball down and hitting his spots. However, the live game was typical Bedard; he threw a lot of pitches in just a few innings.

11. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-02-2010 20:49:54
Bedard is starting Tuesday for the Mariners.

12. By: FelixElRey on 07-02-2010 23:18:43
Jason, what is the best case scenario here? How well and for how many starts would Bedard have to pitch to give him enough value to trade this month?

13. By: baseballman on 07-03-2010 00:50:57
What about Triunfels little brother, Albert? Any news on if the Ms might be interested in going after him?

14. By: baseballman on 07-03-2010 00:58:56
with reading your comment about the Ms having more money to spend (if they choose to) in the IFA market because they didnt have a 1st rounder, would this be a better way to acquire talent?

Some of these IFA can be very pricey, but whats the better strategy, spend via the draft or via IFA? I know theres a lot more risk in IFA and the money involved is alot for 16 year olds...just curious of if itd be a wise strategy for a team to save on the draft and spend in IFA.

15. By: mauricewilliamsiii on 07-03-2010 02:09:12
Jason any word on Paxton? I find it hard to believe he would wait until the August deadline for a few tens of thousands of dollars more. Especially considering the kind of timeline he could be on with pro experience and coaching the rest of this season.

Is it possible there is an unreported injury and Paxton wants to max out the dollars now in case he never makes it?

Or is this just Boras hardball that only acts as a disservice to his client long term?

16. By: rocketdawg31 on 07-03-2010 04:18:56

MauriceWilliams3-
My guess is that while it isn't out and out hardball Boras is playing with Paxton's first career contract, he IS trying to wrangle the best he can from the M's.

Paxton DID get hurt awhile back, but so near as I can tell is no bigger risk for debilitating injuries in the future than any other pitcher. Feel free to correct me, anybody, if I'm wrong on that at all.

But Boras has no real leverage, and is too good to fake having leverage when both sides know it just doesn't exist. Paxton's college eligibility is gone. And it would never benefit him to go indie-league again. I can't imagine the Mariners offering something so insultingly low that they'd even consider the indies again.

By the same token, Boras would be doing his client a disservice by not fighting for every dollar possible, any which way he could. The Mariners know they likely got better value in James Paxton than what you usually get in a fourth-rounder.

If the Mariners offer something significantly above-slot in good faith and in recognizance of Paxton's talent? I think it'd be best if he took it and got his career started, finally.

If things work out like everybody hopes, and Paxton becomes a LH-starter in the big leagues? There'll be money to be had.

Man, I admit to still being stoked about the draft class the Mariners had. If Paxton,Stanek and Littlewood all sign, you have a considerably deeper farm system right there.
They've signed 31 that I know of...I'd love to see that number get to around 40 by August.

17. By: Lailoken on 07-03-2010 12:17:44
Triunfel's little bro is also represent by Boras so...

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