Latin Signings Around MLB & How They've Worked Out

Handing out huge signing bonuses is no more a guarantee of landing future stars in Latin America than in the domestic draft. Consider the case of first baseman Angel Villalona, who received a $2.1 million signing bonus from the Giants in 2006 and was subsequently rated the team's No. 1 prospect by several baseball websites. Three years later, it was reported that he was the main suspect in the murder of a 25-year-old man in the Dominican Republic. There has been no further news about a trial or pending charges, but he's not currently listed in the Giants' media guide.

Philadelphia Daily News

Mariners Sign Dominican Shortstop Esteilon Peguero

Esteilon Peguero, one of the top prospects in the Dominican Republic, has agreed to terms with the Mariners for $2.9 million, the highest international amateur signing bonus of 2010.

Baseball America

Yankees Sign Dominican Shortstop Christopher Tamarez For $650,000

Dominican shortstop Christopher Tamarez has agreed to terms with the Yankees for $650,000.

Baseball America

Top 15 All-Time International Bonuses

According to Baseball America's research, the following are the top 15 bonuses of all-time handed to an international amateur player, although with a three-way tie at No. 15 the list extends to 17 players. This list does not count Cuban players who competed at the country's top level as amateurs, such as Jose Contreras.

Baseball America

Mariners Sign Dominican Right-Hander Rigoberto Garcia & Venezuelan Left-Handers Erick Gomez & Luis Pina

After signing three of the top players on the international market in the last two weeks, the Mariners have announced the signings of three more pitchers out of Latin America, adding Luis Pina, Rigoberto Garcia and Erick Gomez.

Baseball America

Steroids Cloud Hurting Dominican Prospects

The international signing period opened on July 2 amidst a cloud of controversy in the Dominican Republic, where numerous top prospects allegedly tested positive for steroids. But while MLB scouts and officials were treading cautiously in Santo Domingo, several prospects in Venezuela were reaping seven-figure bonuses to develop their skills in the U.S. minor leagues.

Baseball World

Mariners Sign Dominican Outfielder Phillips Castillo, Colombian Right-Hander Jose Torres, & Venezuelan Third Baseman Yordyn Calderon

The Mariners have signed three high-profile international free agents, the most prominent being Dominican outfielder Phillips Castillo, who signed for $2.2 million.

Baseball America

Looking At The July 2 Prospects

July 2 marks the opening of international free agency, when MLB teams are allowed to sign free agents from outside the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico who are at least 16 years old. Teams have been ramping up their spending in Latin America over the past few years, with the Toronto Blue Jays expected to drop a substantial amount of money in the arena this summer. So, for the first time, I'm offering notes on the top prospects who are expected to sign over the next few weeks.

ESPN

Latin America Signing Day Plus Notes

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.

Prospect Insider

Baseball America: Complete Rundown On 2010 International Free Agents

International Forecast: Each team's plans for the July 2 signing period
Baseball America

International Amatuer Scouting Reports: Breakdowns of the top 33 prospects on the market this year
Baseball America

July 2 Projected Top 33 Bonuses
Baseball America

July 2 Notebook: Five-Tool Talent

Baseball America

Hitters Lead July 2 Class For 2010

Baseball America

Videos:
Vicmal De La Cruz
Ariel Ogando
Edwin Moreno
Esteilon Peguero