Minnesota Twins to Sign 3 Top International Talents

Well that's a little over half of their allotted amount leaving them with about 2.6 million left if I calculate correctly.  Still lot's of room to gain more lotto tickets with that amount left.  Looks like a decent class but I say that every year. At 16 it is just way too early to know if these guys will be able develop into an MLB player.  The odds of making it are 5% or under I believe so it's not easy.

Rolls Royce, Austin Martin and now a Mercedes.

Go spend the rest on pitchers.

3 in the top 40 seems better than usual. Maybe we can see a Sano/Polanco/Kepler-like combo hit the majors around 2028/2029... can't wait!

5 hours ago, Danchat said:

3 in the top 40 seems better than usual. Maybe we can see a Sano/Polanco/Kepler-like combo hit the majors around 2028/2029... can't wait!

Some of these young stars make it by the time they are 20 or 21.  That would be 2026.  Some of us are way too old to hope for 2028/2029.

will second Dman’s comment that they have nearly half their dollars available for another 7-8 guys at $200k plus money left over for guys at Arraez’ type money ($40k).

Countdown until the "too many SS" threads begin...

7 hours ago, DJL44 said:

Rolls Royce, Austin Martin and now a Mercedes.

Go spend the rest on pitchers.

Especially if you can find a Whitey Ford in the group. (Or maybe a new GM...)

Looks like an interesting crop.

Anderson Nova and Juan Zapata are MLB-ready in the name department.

Scouting here is so important, but so is realistic "projection" of what the player "could" be.  I agree that international signing is a potential gold mine for talent.  The thing is, so many of these guys are SO YOUNG that many of us will have forgotten about them for a couple years while they grow and mature in the low minors and then suddenly "remember" who they were once they finally get to High A or Double A.  I'm glad we got 3 highly thought of players but I also know that the BEST one might be one of the other guys we signed later.    

Thanks for keeping track of these signings, Nick.  Out of curiousity, based on your research and experience in these things, what is your impression of this year's class as a whole?

44 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Would you rather see the Twins sign one $4 million guy or four $1 million guy... or 40 guys at $100,000?

3 $1M position players and 10 $100,000 pitchers.

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

 

So the age-old question becomes...

Would you rather see the Twins sign one $4 million guy or four $1 million guy... or 40 guys at $100,000?

I'll split the difference, Seth.  Two at a million and 20 averaging $100K. 

Actually, this year is working out well.  Hopefully, several of those mentioned beyond the top three were paid a couple hundred thousand, but they still have lots of room to add good prospects.   

3 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

 

So the age-old question becomes...

Would you rather see the Twins sign one $4 million guy or four $1 million guy... or 40 guys at $100,000?

I looked at this a couple years ago.  Definitely not one $4M guy.  The $1-1.5M dollar guys have done as well or better than the $3M+ guys.  My guess is forty 100K guys would net better odds too but that would take some effort to figure out.  The approach they are taking this year is basically 1/2 on more modestly price premium guys and the rest spread out among many players seems like a pretty ideal compromise..

International signings are even more of a crap shoot than most drafts.  They are so young and you have no real clue how they will grow and develop.  It used to be you also had no clue how old they really were too, but that seems to be less of issues these days.  

Here is to hoping one of them work out well, or like the Sano, Polonco, Kepler trio all make the majors. Some years you hit jackpots, and some years you swing and miss. 

On 1/15/2022 at 2:21 PM, DJL44 said:

Rolls Royce, Austin Martin and now a Mercedes.

Go spend the rest on pitchers.

Baby, you can drive my car?

Good start with the 7 signed that we know of..  Interesting they have signed very few pitchers in the international signing periods..  

The Rays signed 23 players in this signing period.

On 1/15/2022 at 1:21 PM, DJL44 said:

Rolls Royce, Austin Martin and now a Mercedes.

Go spend the rest on pitchers.

I say spend the rest on more hitting prospects and better batting instructors.  Or better scouts.  ?

11 hours ago, Russ said:

Good start with the 7 signed that we know of..  Interesting they have signed very few pitchers in the international signing periods..  

The Rays signed 23 players in this signing period.

 

According to Spotrac the Dodgers signed 29.  No amounts were listed.  20 were from Venezuela.  They only have 9 listed for the Rays.

Mercedes has a sweet swing. Where are all the pitchers?

I do like seeing the Twins active like this in the international market. I believe it's important to the pipeline to look at all avenues!