Rays making splash with international signings.

by SRQman on Oct 16, 2008 12:15 PM EDT Comment 28 comments

Rays have begun to get prospects besides using the draft but also using the international process.

Six-figure signings: SS Julian Morillo, Dominican Republic, 16; SS Hector Guevara, Venezuela, 16; C Omar Narvaez, Venezuela, 16; RHP Wilmer Sabala, Venezuela, 16

The Rays' farm system ranked as the best of the game entering the 2008 season, though that ranking was based almost entirely on the organization's prospects acquired through the draft. That's beginning to change as the Rays steadily become more active in Latin America. The organization appears poised to continue to make headway into Latin America, particularly with a likely boost in revenue forthcoming from the franchise's first postseason appearance and with the hiring in 2006 of Andres Reiner, a pioneer in Venezuelan scouting.

The article goes into further detail about some of the players-

Morillo- A good defensive switch-hitting SS with solid baserunning abilities.

Guevara- Another shortstop but more offensive minded.

Narvaez- Switch-hitting catcher who projects to have some power. A fracture in the right wrist though has bothered his hitting on the left-handed side of the plate.

Sabala- Pitcher with a good fastball with movement and good feel with changeup but needs to work on his other pitches.

Source- Baseball America

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Comments

So Morillo is really at least 25 right?

I love that we are finding new avenues for talent, but these guys are really young and anything can happen. Best of luck fellas and welcome to the organization.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Oct 16, 2008 12:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If anything it is promising

If they get young talent from various areas, eventually one will break through and it will be worth it.

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

BELIEVE in 08!

by SRQman on Oct 16, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And we signed them for 'six figures'

That’s a lot of money to be giving to a high-schooler.

by kericr on Oct 16, 2008 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The largest bonus was like 210,000

So yes, six figures, but not huge numbers like some other teams.

by Imperialism32 on Oct 16, 2008 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Rays wanted to give me 210,000 to suck at baseball

I’d be signing that contract so fast that I’d probably pull a hamstring while sprinting to the bank to cash the check.

by kericr on Oct 16, 2008 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and I'm not saying the Rays are 'wasting' money on these guys

I’m merely commenting that it’s a lot of money.

by kericr on Oct 16, 2008 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

these guys just signed recently?

by walkoffwalk on Oct 16, 2008 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The international siginging period is July 2 through August 31 for 16 year olds

by Imperialism32 on Oct 16, 2008 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I love how the rays are managing their resources

They have realized that the expense you have to layout for prospects is far out weighed by the savings once they reach the majors.

The avereage freeagent is wroth about 4.4 mil per year if they are just slightly better then a replacement player. They just signed Longoria to a deal that will pay him about 3 mil per year for his first 6 years. Longoria on the free agent market would cost you for 6 years at least 100 million… They just paid for the rest of their drafts this half century!

Check out my baseball analysis blog FANalytics

by jbluestone on Oct 16, 2008 12:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i hope we never, ever, sign someone who is barely batter than a replacement player for $4.4 million. ever.

by walkoffwalk on Oct 16, 2008 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I sincerely hope none of these ended up with a crooked agent.

The Yanks and White Sox, among others, got nailed for having road agents that skimmed money off signing bonuses.

Lay off the stadium, Iwamura

by Orlando Rays on Oct 16, 2008 1:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Nats are going to get the worst of it

by rglass44 on Oct 16, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is great news.

I know nothing about the guys mentioned in this article but the fact we finally have a presence in Latin America is fantastic news for Rays fans.

In a game dominated by Latin American talent, it amazes me how the previous ownership completely ignored Latin American talent and scouting.

by floridaroar on Oct 16, 2008 1:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But Cantu!?

You mean that wasn’t enough?

by RATW on Oct 16, 2008 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mexicans don't count

That’s just like scouting Texas.

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Oct 16, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't it scouting texas?

by rglass44 on Oct 16, 2008 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good news

I love the fact that 3 out of 4 of the guys we signed are hitters. Our farm system is a little light in the hitting department, this gets us more depth. I’m excited to see what these guys can do.

by atlantaray on Oct 16, 2008 1:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Regarding signing Draftees

The Royals ($11,148,000), Red Sox ($10,515,000), Rays ($9,921,000) and Pirates ($9,780,000) all exceeded the previous record for bonus payments by a single team:

Source –

Rays spending big bucks in the draft still.

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls, Riggans Your Thingans

BELIEVE in 08!

by SRQman on Oct 16, 2008 5:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So do all these guys keep playing in the leagues they're in now?

until they’re 18? When will they go to the minors?

by rays1234 on Oct 16, 2008 6:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Whenever the AFRO decides to bring them to the states.

Some are brought over immediately because they are advanced. Many never make it over because of stagnation or injury. Some take longer than others. The answer is there is no answer, it’s just whenever the organization feels they’re ready.

Tools Whore

Sign Bonds!

by Tyler on Oct 16, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs