Nationals Sign Dominican 17-Year Old Catcher Raudy Read & 16-Year Old Outfielder Randy Novas

Still, the Nationals have started spending more on individual players. They've signed 14 new players for this summer, DiPuglia said, with bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $150,000. Last Thursday, the Nationals finalized two of their biggest Dominican contracts in years. They signed 17-year-old catcher Raudy Read ("easily an everyday catcher," De La Mota said) for $130,000 and 16-year-old outfielder Randy Novas ("a body like Devon White," DiPuglia said) for $150,000. Last year, they signed pitcher Miguel Navarro for $120,000. At 17, he's now throwing 94 mph fastballs.

Washington Post