So the VSL Rays have played 4 games...

by Imperialism32 on May 21, 2009 10:00 PM EDT

If you remember, last year in the international signing period we have four guys bonuses over $100,000: SS Julian Morillo, SS Hector Guevara, C Omar Narvaez, and RHP Wilmer Sabala. VSL stats of course mean very little, and we're talking about 4 games here, but it's nice to see our international spending at work...

SS Guavara: 5-15 so far, hit a walk-off HR(so you know he's clutch)

C Narvaez: 7-12 with a double and 2 steals, also caught stealing twice(should be starting over Navarro right now imo)

RHP Sabala: Worked twice in relief, 3.2 innings, 4 strikeouts, no walks, 1 unearned run

Morillo was signed out of the Dominican so he may be with the DSL Rays, whose season begins May 30th. Here's what BaseballAmerica had on these guys last year:

SS Julian Morillo, Dominican Republic, age 16, $210,000. "At around 5-foot-10, 165 pounds, Morillo is a good defensive shortstop with good hands, good first-step quickness and a good arm."

SS Hector Guevara, Venezuela, 16. "Guevara improved his stock leading up to July 2, improving his speed from 7.25 seconds in the 60-yard dash to 6.9 upon signing."

C Omar Narvaez, Venezuela, 16. "Narvaez, a switch-hitting catcher, is around 5-foot-11, 170 pounds and projects to hit for some power. He has good hands and agility behind the plate."

RHP Wilmer Sabala, Venezuela, 16. "Sabala is a 6-foot-2 righthander who could gain another inch or two. Some scouts saw him working at 85-86 mph, but his fastball has been up to 88-89 mph at his best with some movement."

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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I don't know alot about projecting kids out of highscool

and so I know even less about projecting them out of the VSL when they are only 16 or 17 years old. I hope they do well, but honestly these are guys who are four to six years away from joining the big league club, so I’m not sure what to make of any of this.

by behn on May 22, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions

Of course

This post was intended to be more of a “hey, we’re spending some money internationally” than a “Omar Narvaez is a guy to watch!” post.

www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on May 22, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions

sure, I'm wondering though if there is any value in watching these guys

How does the VSL league fit in with the rest of the minor league system? Can the rays put them into Princeton’s system or one of the other affiliates whenever they want, are their legal obligations to fill first (do they need to be 18 first)… etc. I just don’t know anything about the league so I’m kind of curious about it.

by behn on May 22, 2009 1:06 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think there are hard and fast rules

But teams usually wait until their guys are 17 or 18 to bring them stateside. The Rays have a GCL team now, so my best guess is that one or more of these guys could be with the GCL team in 2010, depending on their performance.

www.raysprospects.com

by Imperialism32 on May 22, 2009 1:45 AM EDT up reply actions

This

This is one of the most exciting things about this regime. The fact that they pursue every method to acquiring talent even if the original outlay may not justify itself for a number of years. The LT strategy is always as important as the ST.

by rglass44 on May 22, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions