'09 International Free Agency

-MetA4- · Post #1 » by **-MetA4-** » Thu Jul 2, 2009 9:09 pm

Blue Jays sign 16 year old Venezuelan C Santiago Nessy:

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed 16-year-old catcher Santiago Nessy.

Nessy, considered one of the top power prospects on the international free agent market, hails from La Victoria, Venezuela. The right-handed hitter is 6-foot-2 and weighs 190 pounds.

Marco Paddy, the Blue Jays' Director Latin America Operations, who scouted Nessy along with scout Rafael Moncada and Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel, Tony LaCava, commented on the signing. "He is a young catcher with a lot of power. We have followed him for a few years now and were very impressed with his ability and his character. He is an impressive young man who loves to play baseball and has a bright future."

-MetA4- · Post #2 » by **-MetA4-** » Thu Jul 2, 2009 10:08 pm

from BA
...has quick stroke...ball jumps off his bat with impressive power...reservations about Nesi's already thick body and defense, with some predicting a move to first base. His arm is below-average to average...receiving skills also need work, but his power bat is his calling card. The Blue Jays have been linked to Nesi for months for $750,000.

-MetA4- · Post #3 » by **-MetA4-** » Thu Jul 2, 2009 10:31 pm

BA Top 25 Intl' FA

1. Miguel Sano, SS, Dominican Republic
2. Wagner Mateo, CF, Dominican Republic
3. Gary Sanchez, C, Dominican Republic
4. Guillermo Pimentel, CF, Dominican Republic
5. Jose Vincio, SS, Dominican Republic
6. Luis Sardinas, SS, Venezuela
7. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Nicaragua
8. Juan Urbina, LHP, Venezuela
9. Daniel Sanchez, RHP, Venezuela
10. Jose Pena, RHP, Dominican Republic
11. Edgar Ferreira, LHP, Dominican Republic
12. Jochi Ogando, RHP, Dominican Republic
13. Jacob Beltre, C, Dominican Republic
14. Victor Payano, LHP, Dominican Republic
15. Jurickson Profar, RHP/SS, Curacao
16. Luis Jolly, CF, Dominican Republic
17. Johendi Jiminian, RHP, Dominican Republic
18. Santo Aybar, SS, Dominican Republic
19. Leonardo Perdomo, RHP, Dominican Republic
20. Rosel Herrera, SS, Dominican Republic
21. Wilfredo Solano, SS, Venezuela
22. Santiago Nesi, C, Venezuela
23. Jorge Polanco, SS, Dominican Republic
24. Jairo Kelly, SS, Dominican Republic
25. Humberto Valor, SS, Venezuela

evilRyu · Post #4 » by **evilRyu** » Fri Jul 3, 2009 3:37 am

pretty cool.. probably another few years until we see him crack the club....

a noob question here: Why aren't these international players thrown into the draft as well? Would you not think that big-spending teams like the Yanks and BoSox have an advantage where they can use their money for more leverage? Why can't international players go through the draft process (Like the NBA)?

Modern_epic · Post #5 » by **Modern_epic** » Fri Jul 3, 2009 4:40 am

evilRyu wrote:probably another few years until we see him crack the club....

"Probably"? Haha, I think that may be the understatement of the year on this board.

16 year old international prospects pretty much always take a very long time to reach the majors. Balbino Fuenmayor, who we signed three years back, is only at Lansing, the jays A ball team. And though he isn't wowing the organization, that pretty much where you would expect a Latin player signed in '07 to be right now.

Realistically, if you aren't signing a wonderkid, you are looking at a minimum 7-8 years before they might crack the major league roster.

-MetA4- · Post #6 » by **-MetA4-** » Fri Jul 3, 2009 7:58 pm

Big news: 21-year old Cuban LHP Ardolis Chapman has defected and will hit the open market. Chapman was Cuba's best pitcher at the WBC and he is considered to be a very very good talent, being clocked up to 100mph with his fastball. Its looking like his asking price is going to be $30+ million and he's likely to get it.

Youtube video from the WBC (note they have his first name wrong):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE0iQmsFSms