Mariners International Player Signings 2009
Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 10:26 pm
Well we signed our first such player, 16 year old Guillermo Pimentel, listed here as ranked 4th among the Latin American free agents.
Here's also a blurb by Larry Stone about another prospect we might sign, and a brief write-up about Pimentel:
1. SS-Miguel Sano (Dominican Republic)
2. CF-Wagner Mateo (DR) - signed by the St. Louis Cardinals
3. C-Gary Sanchez (DR) - signed by the New York Yankees
4. CF-Guillermo Pimentel (DR) - signed by the Seattle Mariners
5. SS-Jose Vinicio (DR)
6. SS-Luis Sarinas (Venezuela) - signed by the Texas Rangers
7. 3B-Cheslor Cuthbert (Nicaragua) - signed by the Kansas City Royals
8. LHP-Juan Urbina (Venezuela)
9. RHP-Daniel Sanchez (Venezuela)
10. RF-Jose Pena (DR) - signed by the Milwaukee Brewers
11. LHP-Edgar Ferreira (DR)
12. RHP-Jochi Oeando (DR)
13. C-Jacob Beltre (DR)
14. LHP-Victor Payano (DR)
15. RHP/SS-Jurickson Profar (Curacao) - signed by the Texas Rangers
16. CF-Luis Jolley (DR)
17. RHP-Johendi Jiminian (DR)
18. SS-Santo Aybar (DR)
19. SS-Rosel Herrera (DR) - signed by the Colorado Rockies
20. RHP-Leonardo Perdomo (DR)
21. SS-Wilfredo Solano (Venezuela) - signed by the Oakland Athletics
22. C-Santiago Nessy (Venezuela) - signed by the Toronto Blue Jays
23. SS-Jorge Polanco (DR)
24. SS-Jairo Kelly (DR)
25. SS-Humberto Valor (Venezuela) - signed by the Cincinnati Reds
Here's also a blurb by Larry Stone about another prospect we might sign, and a brief write-up about Pimentel:
For scouting aficianados, today is a very important day -- the first day that teams are allowed to sign international players not subject to the draft. We're talking primarily about players from Latin American (dominated annually by the Dominican Republic and Venezuela), but Japanese amateurs have been signed in recent years, as well. This is the route by which the Mariners landed Felix Hernandez , Jose Lopez , and Carlos Triunfel, among others; there will no doubt be some future superstars signed by teams during this international signing period. Bob Engle, their international scouting director, is regarded as one of the best in the business.
According to Baseball America, the Mariners are expected to sign Dominican outfielder Guillermo Pimentel and are the favorite for 6-foot-4 Venezuelan outfielder Alexis Parma. For a scouting report on Pimentel, read this Baseball America story, which ranks him the No. 4 prospect, one that will command a $2 million bonus from the Mariners.
4. Guillermo Pimentel, CF
Dominican Republic; Bats: Left; Throws: Left; 6-2, 175
Pimentel's situation has been one of the most unusual leading up to July 2. In March, Pimentel appeared to be headed to Seattle, but two months later nearly every international source contacted said Pimentel would sign with the Rangers for $2 million. Now it appears that Pimentel is going to sign with the Mariners for approximately $2 million. Scouts who have seen Pimentel have generally liked what they have seen, though many teams have committed their scouting resources elsewhere given Pimentel's early ties to Seattle and Texas. At the plate, Pimentel has a short swing, an advanced approach and plus power that some scouts say could rate a 70 down the road. He'll still get fooled at times at the plate, but his pitch recognition and ability to adjust to offspeed pitches are advanced for a 16-year-old. Pimentel has showcased for teams as a center fielder, but he is expected to move to left field. He's not a great runner and projects to get slower as he fills out. His range in the field is limited and his arm is a 40 or a 45 on the 20-80 scale.