2010 International Signings Roundup

4. Carlos Matias, P, STL
Matias ate DSL hitters alive with his upper 90's fastball. The K/BB rate is exciting for a guy who can get close to 100 MPH. He's far from a likely success, but a great fastball like that can't be taught and can allow a pitcher to succeed much more readily. He could be the best pitcher out of this group.

MLB Bonus Baby

Athletics Sign 16-year old Dominican Vicmal De La Cruz

The A's have agreed to terms with Vicmal de la Cruz, a top center field prospect from the Dominican Republic.

Baseball America

Kevin Goldstein Twitter: $800,000 bonus

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

Twins Expect To Land One Of Three Of Their International Targets

Friday is the day that teams can sign international prospects who are at least 16 years old.

"We are still in on a few guys," said Mike Radcliff, the Twins' senior vice president in charge of player personnel.

The Twins have a good chance of landing at least one of their most coveted targets. Among the players they are looking at are outfielder Vicmal de la Cruz of the Dominican Republic, infielder Esteilon Peguero from the Dominican Republic and infielder Carlos Martinez from Panama.

Star Tribune

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

Twins After July 2nd Free Agents Vicmal De La Cruz, Esteilon Peguero, & Carlos Martinez

All indications are that the Twins are not satisfied with landing just Sano and are after three of the best prospects this year:

Star Tribune

Vicmal De la Cruz, Esteilon Peguero, & Others To Showcase On June 15th In Dominican

Melissa Segura Twitter

Hitters Lead July 2 Class For 2010

Baseball America

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

Cardinals International Notebook 5-24-10

Josh Jones’ report on baseball’s international happenings with an eye toward the St. Louis Cardinals past and present.

The Cardinal Nation

Cardinals Interested In Dominican Outfielder Vicmal De La Cruz & A Few Others

Frankie Piliere Twitter

Two Dozen International Free Agents Worth Knowing

Much of baseball's top talent comes from Latin America, but much of the public attention is focused on the MLB Draft each year, and not so much on the international free-agent signing period, which kicks off July 2. As bonuses grow, though, so does the interest in the Latin American market.

MLB Fanhouse

Updates On Vicmal De La Cruz, Martin Steylon Peguero, & Wilmer Romero

Vicmar De La Cruz has received a seven-figure offer from the Indians, according to MLBTR contributor Blake Bentley. Teams cannot make official offers until the international signing period begins this July 2nd, but they're watching now. Bentley reports that the Indians are interested, but says De La Cruz will likely wait for more offers.

MLB Trade Rumors

Twins Like Outfielder Vicmal de la Cruz

Melissa Segura twitter