Gilbert Lara discussion; Update: Brewers sign Lara for $3.2 million (post #77)

[MVP2110]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/quick-hits-arroyo-athletics-bray-cardinals-brewers.html

Supposedly brewers have agreed with a better third base prospect for 3.2 mil. I know nothing about the guy but have to imagine he's a decent prospect for that kinda money at a position of need in our system

[DoubleSwitch]

 

6'3" 185

 

Looks like a pretty long swing, but definitely some power potential. I don't really know enough about Dominican prospects or what to look for in guys this young to have much of an opinion.

[Mass Haas]

That article from Kiley McDaniel also discusses the significance of the July 2nd deadline --

 

Gilbert Lara has the loose, handsy, fluid swing that scouts are looking for with the plus bat speed and raw power to project as a future All-Star. He hit a number of balls out to left field at the heavily scouted MLB showcase and hit a triple and homerun in the game portion of the event. The chatter among scouts is the Dominican third baseman has an agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers for a $3.2 million bonus.

[narwhalattack]

That article from Kiley McDaniel also discusses the significance of the July 2nd deadline --

 

Gilbert Lara has the loose, handsy, fluid swing that scouts are looking for with the plus bat speed and raw power to project as a future All-Star. He hit a number of balls out to left field at the heavily scouted MLB showcase and hit a triple and homerun in the game portion of the event. The chatter among scouts is the Dominican third baseman has an agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers for a $3.2 million bonus.

 

*Drools*

[brewcrewdue80]

Oh My God. That would be Awesome!

 

Did you watch the scout video? the 3rd or 4th swing of his in it? The speed? And yeah, his swing upper body has zero hesitation in it. It just starts and swoosh there goes the swing. Literally, my first thought is Alex Rodriguez in that swing. Take that in for a moment, Alex Rodriguez. Please, stay true!

 

Adding that the Dominican League video posted his name as Yirver while the mlbtr has it as Gilbert. So I'll definitely be using both in google searches for more video down the road as July 2nd approaches.

[And That]

This would be amazing if true, but a lot of things can happen between now and July.

[Eye Black]

I am really glad the Brewers are taking a shot at one of the top DR talents, it would be a very positive step toward infusing the organization with potentially elite young talent. I prefer they spend money going after a top prospect on July 2 every year to the alternative of giving a guy like K-Rod $3 million. From the little I have read so far it sounds like many of these verbal agreements are already in place with the top DR prospects, and apparently the Yankees have several of them in place. Here is a little more information I found on Lara from a Blue Jays blog posted at the end of January...

 

Yirver Gilbert Lara, SS/3B, 6’3″ 180 lbs, R/R, Bani, DR

Born: October 30, 1997

Trainer: Jaime Ramos

 

Likely the second best overall prospect available for the July 2 signing period, Lara is a big rangy shortstop with an exciting combination of tools. Scouts love his athleticism, projectable frame, and top level bat speed. At the plate Lara is an aggressive hitter. He has natural loft in his swing and the ball really carries, which should allow him to hit for double digit homeruns if he can refine his raw hitting approach. There are times when he’ll pull off the ball trying to drive it, or lunge out against off speed pitches as he did against Huascor Ynoa in their at bat. His pitch recognition isn’t the greatest right now, but will hopefully improve with time. Defensively Lara shows good range and fluidity and enough arm strength for the left side of the diamond. If I had to bet I would say he has a better chance of staying at short than his countryman Garcia, but he’s no certainty either. As athletic as he is, you probably wouldn’t immediately think infielder just by looking at him. I Can’t think of a natural comparison except maybe a right handed hitting Curtis Granderson. He has the same combination of power and speed, and similar hitting mechanics with the hands high and close to the body and the leg lift trigger. Reports connecting him to the Royals and Brewers for close to the 3 million Dermis is expected to get from the Yankees.

[igor67]

I would be curious to see a historical work-up on DR prospects by ranking similar to what we have for draft prospects. I'm not completely sold that all of the eggs in one high end basket approach is better than grabbing 3 or 4 guys lower down the list. With the international signing restrictions this is likely the true trade-off not this guy versus a mid-roster filler FA. That said he certainly sounds exciting.

[brewmann04]

This is a good step at least in the right direction and especially in a position of need.

[JimH5]

I'm excited by this signing. . .it's still a longshot that he plays at a high level in the majors, but it's a sign that the Brewers are in the mix on highly regarded foreign talent.

[TigerUppercut]

I'm excited by this signing. . .it's still a longshot that he plays at a high level in the majors, but it's a sign that the Brewers are in the mix on highly regarded foreign talent.

 

You start hitting on a couple guys in the DR and the draft, while still the true blue building block of any small market, can become more of a gamble on the riskier, high upside talent. We need an infusion of guys with Gomez like upside given what we've spent on marginal draft talent. Personally, I'd much rather roll the dice on a guy like this than select a Jungman, Arnett or Bradley.

[TheCrew07]

I'd rather take a shot with a high upside youngster who might give 7-9 years of a productive MLB service time vs the same money spent on any FA reliever.

 

No single reliever is going to be the difference for the Brewers, but hitting on a high upside prospect every other year could be the difference.

[Mass Haas]

Not so fast, Brewers fans...

[Mass Haas]

Good reading from Adam and MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez here.

(Also posted to the DSL thread in the minor league forum for its mentions of current Brewer Latin farmhands...)

[fondybrewfan]

If the Brewers have the money to sign relievers to help the big league club and sign long projects like this than that is the best of both worlds. Mark A has always wanted to field a good MLB team and hopefully this is a sign they will be involved in the high level international market now too.

 

But this kid is so far away from even Low A Wisconsin that I can't really get to excited about him. We know next to nothing.

[Mass Haas]

Latest video

[TooLiveBrew]

His build looks like A-Rod's at a similar age... except that Lara's thicker. Not comparing their baseball abilities, but A-Rod is just the physical comp that I thought of right away in that clip.

[Mass Haas]

Still looks promising, flying to Arizona for his physical, so will just have to wait until July 2nd for formal announcement if healthy.

 

The tweet linked above was deleted for a slightly altered, but very similar one.

 

The original read:

 

"Gilbert Lara (SS), a July 2 Dominican Prospect has an agreement with the #Brewers for $3.2 million. He is flying to AZ for a physical."

[And That]

If the dollar amount is right, the signing will* almost assuredly put the Brewers over the slot value of their international bonus pool, and they probably will sign a few other guys as well. The Mariners had a bonus pool of $2.58m last year in the same slot the Brewers have this year. It will be interesting to see if they try to trade for more room, or take the penalties.

 

*I will refuse to 100% believe this until the transaction is official in July.

[Roderick]

I would be curious to see a historical work-up on DR prospects by ranking similar to what we have for draft prospects. I'm not completely sold that all of the eggs in one high end basket approach is better than grabbing 3 or 4 guys lower down the list. With the international signing restrictions this is likely the true trade-off not this guy versus a mid-roster filler FA. That said he certainly sounds exciting.

 

Well IIRC they signed two kids to $800K each last year (probably the money they saved on no 1st round pick). So they haven't necessarily put their eggs in one basket.

[monty57]

Hopefully this is true. The Brewers' farm has a desperate need for guys who have the potential to be above average MLB players. I know, the kid is only 16, and may never make the majors, but his ceiling sounds as high or higher than anyone in the system. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

[And That]

Well IIRC they signed two kids to $800K each last year (probably the money they saved on no 1st round pick). So they haven't necessarily put their eggs in one basket.

And one of them (Franly Mallen) was signed as a shortstop as well, so it will be interesting to see if one or the other shift off of shortstop this year. Might make sense for a guy with extensive offensive upside like Lara to switch to third base right away. (Not that Lara would be eligible to play with the DSL team this year.)

 

Then again, Clint Coulter.

[RobDeer 45]

I got really excited when I read this article. Watching that video I too immediately thought of A Rod. Man I hope this ends up happening. It would be such a boost of excitement to our farm system. I love every bit of this!

[TheCrew07]

My thoughts on the actual signing (not the theory of signing potential impact international players) align almost exactly with And That's last couple of posts. I'll believe it when I see it because as right now it would extremely out of character for the Brewers, hopefully though the organization is turning a corner on this issue and is willing to get more aggressive about acquiring impact talent wherever they can get it.

 

Also, I believe they can sign as many as 6 players to bonuses <=$50k outside of the pool so I wouldn't expect them to bring in fewer players, just maybe more under the radar types with that kind of signing (if true).

[nate82]

This reminds me of the Miguel Sano signing by the Twins in 2009 I believe it was and for just about the same amount. I will believe this when I see it but at least the Brewers are actually in talks about a highly ranked international talent. Even if the Brewers don't sign him at least this is a good sign that they maybe looking into top international talent.