Analyzing The International Market

So far this season we have seen 19 international prospects get flagged with the infamous "bonus baby" tag. This term is reserved for those lucky few who are lucky enough to command a signing bonus of $5,000,000 or more.

This is a market where every team willing to put the time,effort and payroll into scouting has an equal chance to claim that next "superstar" franchise player. Unlike the draft where teams are slotted into a set pecking order to choose from a pool of players. This is a situation where only the teams control the payday for the prospect. In other words the value is determined not by previous years, not by actual abilities but rather how high the team is willing to go.

Looking over the current crop of signees this season we see that some were well worth the price, others overpaid and others still were signed at bargain basement prices in the market.

Syracuse Sasquashes -Benji Guerrero(57/88) $15,000,000 MILB
Signed as a SS and very capable of playing the position. Moved to RF after signing. Has GG potential in the OF. A future multi time allstar.
Grade: A+
Value: 4.0

Syracuse Sasquashes - Wilfredo Encarnacion(67/88) $15,000,000 MILB
Signed as a SS but likely should be moved to 3B or a OF spot. A prospect with the potential to be a complete player and leadoff hitter.
Grade: C
Value: 3.0

Buffalo Russerts - James Abe(55/72) $13,300,000 MLB
A surefire slugger in every sense of the word. Will be a OBPS machine as either a 1B or DH.
Grade: A
Value: 4.0

Tampa Bay Tacoma - Gustavo Gomez(44/71) $12,300,000 MLB
Similar to Abe but with alot more power potential and a better base runner.
Grade: A
Value: 4.0

Minnesota Baggies - Davey Mairena(57/89)
$11,400,000 MLB
The complete package as a hitter, i dare say a potential 5 tool prospect. Serious steal at the price.
Will do some serious and i do mean serious damage to opposing pitchers pshyce before he is done. This is a $35,000,000 signing in most worlds.
Grade: A+
Value: 5.0

Colorado Springs Starrs - Alex Gonzalez(62/74) $11,000,000 MILB
Very good control with a sick slider. If he can stay healthy he'll be a very good #2 type SP in the majors.
Grade: B
Value: 3.0

San Francisco Bay - Pascual Armas(54/76) $10,500,000 MILB w/STI
A very good pitcher who can light up the radar gun. The main question will be what role to use him in. With his abilities he can get you 6 quality innings everytime out but not a 7-8-9 innings in stamina type. Can also swing him in a 3-4 inning LR role, a setup man or a Eric Gagne type closer.
Grade: B+(if SP), A(if CLA), C(if SU), B(if LR)
Value: 4.0

San Diego Figs - Julio Mercedes(56/80)
$9,700,000 MILB
A very good OF prospect with alot of pop potential.
Grade: B
Value: 4.0

Chicago Hawks - Vasco Lira(50/66) $8,900,000 MILB
Solid future major league RP with good pitches and control.
Grade: C
Value: 2.0

St. Louis Red Ravens - Max Maduro(63/76)
$8,700,000 MILB w/STI
A tall slighltly lanky control SP with a devastating curveball. Capable of being a very solid #2-#3 once he fills out his frame.
Grade: B
Value: 4.0


Durham Bull****artists - Valerio De La Vega(56/74) $8,400,000 MILB w/STI
A technique pitcher with alot of polish. Uses 5 pitches to get outs.
Grade: C
Value: 3.0

Boston Massacre - Gustavo Pujols $8,000,000
MILB w/STI
This kid is a hitter. No doubt about it. He has power, can make contact. He's a DH for sure but he's gonna put a "big hurt" on opposing teams.
Grade: B
Value: 5.0


St. Louis Red Ravens - Benji Pena(67/78) $7,900,000 MILB w/STI
A hard throwing lefty with 2 plus pitches but lacks control. A wild child indeed.
Grade: C
Value: 2.0

St. Louis Red Ravens - Gerardo Torres(67/92) $6,900,000 MILB w/STI
What's not to love? A hard throwing right hander with a 4 pitch repertoire. Also a very good fielder. A steal at the price and has a very bright future ahead of him. Likely a $35,000,000 signing in another world.
Grade: A+
Value: 5.0

Buffalo Russerts - Rico Cedeno(55/66) $6,500,000 MILB
A ok addition to the minor league rotation.
Grade: D
Value: 1.0

San Diego Figs - Luis Machado $6,000,000 MILB
A defensive wizard as a SS. Can play multiple positions and will likely fill the utility role.
Grade: C
Value: 2.0

Cleveland Indians - Emmanuel Garces(62/80) $6,000,000 MILB w/STI
A quality signing with potential. A project for sure but it could be worth it later on.
Grade: C
Value: 5.0

Durham Bull****artists - Javier Rodriguez(55/66) $5,500,000 MILB
A good RP with potential to be a good set up man.
Grade: C
Value 3.0

San Francisco Bay - Vic Romero(66/77)
$5,000,000 MILB
A savvy LF who can make contact and be a terror on the base paths.
Grade: C+
Value: 5.0

Grade Scale A = Perreniel allstar caliber(A+ with HOF potential). B = Future star major leaguer.
C = Future major leaguer contributer. D = Solid minor league signing. F = Minor league fodder.

Value Scale 5.0 = Signing well below market value. 4.0 Signing at market value.
3.0 = Signing just above value but worth it. 2.0 = Signing above value. 1.0 = Signing grotesquely above value