2020-2021 International Signees

[homer]

https://reviewingthebrew.com/2021/01/15/brewers-sign-venezuelan-ss-jackson-chourio-open-intl-class/

 

Jackson Chourio, a shortstop from Venezuela. According to Jesse Sanchez, Chourio will get a $1.9MM signing bonus.

 

Vitals that we've learned thus far:

 

CF Jackson Chourio, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 6'1"/165, $1.9 million

LF Hendry Mendez, Dominican Republic, B/T: L/L, 6'2"/175

OF Luis Castillo, Dominican Republic, B/T: L/L, 5'11"/175

OF Duncan Garcia, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R, 6'1"/170

OF Manuel Vargas, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R

OF Yeison Perez, B/T: L/L, 5'10"/165

OF/C Edguard Winterdaal, Aruba, B/T: R/R, 5'10"/155

 

C Felipe Valderrama, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 6'0"/170

C Samuel Escudero, Venezuela

C Edgardo Ordonez, Venezuela, B/T: L/R, 5'11"/155

 

SS Daniel Guilarte, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 6'0"/160

SS Pedro Riera, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 6'1"/160

SS Gregory Barrios, Venezuela, B/T: R/R

SS Richard Rojas, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 5'10"/155

SS Erick Reyes, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R, 5'10"/145

SS Jadher Areinamo, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 5'10"/160

SS Jonatan Guzman, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R, 6'0"/155

SS Ney Serrano, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R, 6'0"/150

 

RHP Alexander Vallecillo, Nicaragua, 6'2"/150

RHP Dikember Sanchez, Venezuela, 5'11"/160

RHP Jared Albir, Nicaragua, 6'2"/161

RHP Leonardo Rivera, Dominican Republic, 6'3"/170

RHP Patricio Aquino, Dominican Republic, 6'0"/175

RHP Kevin Briceno, Venezuela, 6'1"/160

RHP Henry Garrido, Venezuela, 5'10"/160

RHP Waldin Rodriguez, 6'3"/176

[narwhalattack]

I feel like we have a monopoly on all of Venezuela's young up the middle guys at this point

[MrTPlush]

I feel like we have a monopoly on all of Venezuela's young up the middle guys at this point

 

Maybe we should find a new monopoly, it hasn’t produced much MLB talent.

[sveumrules]

I feel like we have a monopoly on all of Venezuela's young up the middle guys at this point

 

Maybe we should find a new monopoly, it hasn’t produced much MLB talent.

 

The Brewers didn't really sign anyone of note during Stearns & company's first international period in 2016, then Larry Ernesto & Carlos Rodriguez got million plus bonuses in 2017. They'll be playing their age 20 seasons in 2021.

 

More recent notable signings like Eduardo Garcia, Hedbert Perez, Jeferson Quero & Luis Medina will all be playing their age 18 seasons in 2021.

 

These things take time.

[sveumrules]

For whatever it is or isn't worth, the MLB team has also had a distinctly Venezuelan flavor since Stearns & company arrived...

 

Orlando Arcia, Manny Pina, Junior Guerra, Jesus Aguilar, Hernan Perez, Jhoulys Chacin, Omar Narvaez, Avisail Garcia.

[narwhalattack]

For whatever it is or isn't worth, the MLB team has also had a distinctly Venezuelan flavor since Stearns & company arrived...

 

Orlando Arcia, Manny Pina, Junior Guerra, Jesus Aguilar, Hernan Perez, Jhoulys Chacin, Omar Narvaez, Avisail Garcia.

 

David Stearns stars in the new hit film, "The Venezuelan Candidate." Coming soon to a brewery near you.

[JosephC]

Seems like the Brewers strategy for international guys is more of a quantity approach, give 2 or 3 prospects a bit over 1 million dollars and then sign a bunch of other guys. I was kind of surprised to see a 1.9 million dollar bonus. Is this the second highest international prospect bonus the Brewers have ever given out (behind Gilbert Lara)?

[LouisEly]

Ronald Acuna, Jr., is from Venezuela and was signed for $100K (reportedly... knowing the Braves shenanigans, I"m sure it was a lot more). In that same signing period, they signed Venezuelan SS Juan Yepez for $1M and he posted an 85 wRC+ in AA in 2019.

 

I'm all for giving a bunch of 16-year-old Venezuelans $100K and see what sticks. Signing 16-year-olds is a crapshoot.

[MrTPlush]

I feel like we have a monopoly on all of Venezuela's young up the middle guys at this point

 

Maybe we should find a new monopoly, it hasn’t produced much MLB talent.

 

The Brewers didn't really sign anyone of note during Stearns & company's first international period in 2016, then Larry Ernesto & Carlos Rodriguez got million plus bonuses in 2017. They'll be playing their age 20 seasons in 2021.

 

More recent notable signings like Eduardo Garcia, Hedbert Perez, Jeferson Quero & Luis Medina will all be playing their age 18 seasons in 2021.

 

These things take time.

 

Are any of those guys Venezuelan?

 

Honestly I could only think of Arcia/Alcides Escobar. Obviously since both are failed MLB products after being high end prospects. I’m sure we have signed a lot of Venezuelan guys over the years, I just don’t recall many being notable major signings.

[brewmann04]

It would be nice to see someone comes up and makes an impact

[Jenkins5]

I feel like we have a monopoly on all of Venezuela's young up the middle guys at this point

 

Maybe we should find a new monopoly, it hasn’t produced much MLB talent.

 

Hard to say it hasn't produced MLB talent. before Stearns, Brewers had for most part stopped being really involved in International market. You can't also fault a new regime for mistakes and the inabilities of Melvin and earlier in the international market. Pablo Abreu and Jean Carlos Carmona (both from DR though) were DS first big international signings as GM. Both just turned 21 like in the last month and both made it to A ball by 19. Camona was used as a trade piece. Abreu looked good before injury and then lost covid season. So if the oldest big international prospects they have brought were last able to play ball at 19 maybe 20, tough to judge if they are mlb talent.

 

Lets look at Venezuela in particular under Stearns:

 

2016

Most big money went to the two DR players above but their were a couple Venezuelan signings (before the more recent purge starting in 2019)

 

OF, Anderson Melendez, Venezuela, $400k Will turn 21 in lat May

Has struggled all three years combining for a slash of .215/.263/.283/.546

 

SS Antonio Pinero (actually a 2015 signing with Boston but contract was voided as punishment) $375,000 Brewers paid. Turning 22 to start season.

At 20 He roasted ball in Helena in 37 games and 165 PA's .316/ .341/.449/.791 causing promotion to Wisconsin. Like many 20 year olds, struggled in his first MWL debut in 78 games. Interesting is he made it Helena at 18. Missed all year 19 expect 5 games due to injury. So Brewers were aggressive with him.

 

RHP Brayan Salaya, Venezuela, Not sure bonus, turns 21 next month

Hasn't shown much in his 3 seasons. Age 19 season repeating Arizona his ERA is misleading with an FIP of 4.29 (ERA 7.26) He did cut BB's in half as well as bump his K's to 9.68 (nearly doubling what he did his 1st two seasons). An insane .445 BABIP ( 1st two years average 2.77ish) really killed him. Important though, he was improving and trending right direction in development

 

 

2017

Carlos Rodriguez, OF, Venezuela, $1,355,000 (turned 20 in December) #13 on MLB Top Prospect List

Has good hype and Brewers and scouts like him. Was a top 30 signing and can be found on most Top 25 Prospect lists. Hit .331/.350 .774 BA/OBP/OPS in Helena at 18 with 3 HRs. In 104 games has hit .327/.356/.770 5 HRs 13/42 BB/K in 431 PA's

 

Daniel Castillo, SS, Venezuela, $140,000 (turning 20 in few weeks)

Hasn't impressed in DSL or Arizona hitting only .212 with .305 OBP and OPS .557 not on many lists

 

C Andres Melendez - Venezuela- $325,000 - (19 until May)

.290/.374/.399/ .773 at 17 in DSL

.250/.340/.352/.692 at 18 in Arizona

 

*traded for Mark Mathias straight up

 

No Bonus Found (Usually not big bonus if you can't find

Oswal Leones - Venezuela - no Bonus Listed- (20 years old)

Great DSL debut, maybe top offensive player on that team at 17. Struggles in Arizona at 18.

 

C Jesus Chirinos - Venezuela - no Bonus Listed- (19 years old until almost August)

.254/.394/.387/.782 at 16 in DSL

Had struggles at 17 in Arizona with only a .203/.266/.271/.537

 

2018

Eduardo Garcia, SS, Venezuela, $1.1 million, 18 until July, #8 on MLB Top Prospect List

Ranked #20 international prospect and already #8 in Brewers system. Injury and COVID has slowed him but in 10 games before injury at 16 hit .313/.450/.469/.919

 

Jesus Parra, 3B, Venezuela, $800,000? 18 until almost September

He hit six homers and 15 doubles in 65 games in the 2019 DSL season. .247/.361/.410/.770 slash. Appears in many to most Top 30 list currently

 

Rafael Martinez, CF, Venezuela $435,000, 19 all 2021 season

.247/.302/.349/.652 slash at 17 in DSL had solid ISO of .103 a 8% BB% 12 SBs 9XBH including 4 triples

 

Carlos Roa, SS, Venezuela $385,000 19 all 2021 season

Only 52 PA's in 2019 with DSL Combo team but looked good! ISO of .20 thanks to 7XBH. Had wRC+ of 177. Slashed .417/.423/.625/ 1.048 in that small sample.

 

Jhonny Cabrera, C, Venezuela -- $300,000, 18 until June

One of the most impressive debuts with a good sample size! In 217 PA's he slashed .274/.396 /.402/.799 while cranking out 16 XBH for an ISO of of nearly .130. Walked 13.5% with wRC+ of 129

 

2019

Due to COVID non got to debut in real minor league action but a l of hype on some of these kids! 11 of their top 12 signings were Venezuelan kids.

 

SS Luis Mendez #13 rank signing and $1.3 million bonus. Ranked #12 in system. One of 50 players at Fall Instructional League

Big frame (6'2 and 170 pounds) and some of the biggest raw power in the 2019 class. At least plus raw power and shows flashes of 70 raw power. Loose, lefty swing, using hands well with solid strike zone judgment for his age.

 

OF Hedbert Perez #49 ranked signing and $700,000 bonus. Ranked #9 in system and at 17 spent much of summer competing in Appleton verse the best in system. One of 50 players at Fall Instructional League

One of the elite talents from the 2019 class, with an exciting combination of athleticism, tools and advanced baseball skills on both sides of the ball for 16... Perez is one of the best hitters in the 2019 class and projects to stay at a premium position... Compact, efficient swing from the left side, a high-contact hitter who barrels balls to all fields... Controls the strike zone well, laying off close pitches and working himself into favorable counts, with a chance to develop into a plus hitter.

 

C Jeferson Quero only signed for $200k but has flew up Brewer system rankings (#16) with great reviews. One of 50 players at Fall Instructional League

Emerged as one of the most promising catcher prospects in the 2019 class. Stands out behind the plate as well as in the box. Blocking and receiving techniques are advanced for his age. Quick, athletic behind the plate. Has had in-game pop times in the low 1.9's.

 

Intelligence and leadership also earn high marks. He has a combination of contact and impact, with a low swing-and-miss rate to go with big power. Good approach for his age, natural ability to drive the ball the other way. Hard contact all over the field, with the ability to go deep from left-center to left already. Projects to have plus power.

 

Others with less mention so far:

SS Jheremy Vargas $650,000 One of 50 players at Fall Instructional League.

has consistently hit well in games. Potential high on-base threat who makes a lot of contact and has sharp strike zone discipline. Line drive hitter with gap power. Has some room to develop a little home run power. Chance to stick at short with secure hands, good awareness and solid-average arm.

 

SS Alexander Perez $600,000

hit well in games in Venezuela. Expands zone at times, but generally solid approach. Makes a lot of contact, good plate coverage. Power has shown flashes as he's gotten stronger. Good chance to stay at short with a solid-average arm and good athleticism.

 

SS Beyker Pastran $300,000

is a versatile player without one plus tool. Does a lot of things well, with a chance for average or near average tools across the board. Plays all around the diamond (infield and outfield) with a 55 arm and 45 speed.

[Jenkins5]

So biggest ticket Venezuelan names right now to watch for this season prior to this new class are in my opinion

 

OF Carlos Rodriquez, SS Eddy Garcia, 3B Jesus Parra, C Jhonny Cabrera, SS Luis Medina, OF Hedbert Perez, C Jeferson Quero. All could appear in A ball at some point this season. If I had to guess:

 

A+ Wisconsin:Rodriquez

A Carolina: Perez, Garcia, Quero... maybe Parra

R Arizona ( however they are doing it with no R+) Cabrera and Medina

[balsamlaker]

International Signing Day is a very important day every year. Hopefully the efforts led by Mike Groopman over the last few years will pay off in a number of years not only in developing major league players, but also trade chips for the organization. The Brewers organization has definitely put the $$ into the process over the last couple of years. Congratulations to the newest members of the Brewers organization!

[narwhalattack]

Something interesting I noticed: Fernando Tatis Jr. was ranked #27 in MLB's international prospect rankings in 2015 and was signed for $825k. Not to say that any one of our guys may turn into another Tatis, but just goes to show that this whole international signing thing is a crapshoot. Some guy making $3 mil may flame out, while a guy who didn't even crack $1 mil may turn into a superstar. I'm totally okay with us signing as many lottery tickets as we can rather than putting all our eggs into one basket, even if our guys aren't ranked that highly at first.

[sveumrules]

Maybe we should find a new monopoly, it hasn’t produced much MLB talent.

 

The Brewers didn't really sign anyone of note during Stearns & company's first international period in 2016, then Larry Ernesto & Carlos Rodriguez got million plus bonuses in 2017. They'll be playing their age 20 seasons in 2021.

 

More recent notable signings like Eduardo Garcia, Hedbert Perez, Jeferson Quero & Luis Medina will all be playing their age 18 seasons in 2021.

 

These things take time.

 

Are any of those guys Venezuelan?

 

Honestly I could only think of Arcia/Alcides Escobar. Obviously since both are failed MLB products after being high end prospects. I’m sure we have signed a lot of Venezuelan guys over the years, I just don’t recall many being notable major signings.

 

Yeah, every guy I mentioned besides Ernesto is Venezuelan. The Brewers seem to have placed an emphasis on VZ the last few years as other teams have shied away due to the turmoil there. Will it pay off in the long run? I don't know, but the level of effort being put into the Latin American market seems to be at a peak for the franchise's history.

 

Escobar's first minor league season was in 2004, a dozen years before Stearns & company got here, Arcia had already been in the system five years before Stearns & company got here, I don't really see how their careers are all that relevant to teenagers in the year 2021 who are coming up through a largely different developemental system.

[Lathund]

Something interesting I noticed: Fernando Tatis Jr. was ranked #27 in MLB's international prospect rankings in 2015 and was signed for $825k. Not to say that any one of our guys may turn into another Tatis, but just goes to show that this whole international signing thing is a crapshoot. Some guy making $3 mil may flame out, while a guy who didn't even crack $1 mil may turn into a superstar. I'm totally okay with us signing as many lottery tickets as we can rather than putting all our eggs into one basket, even if our guys aren't ranked that highly at first.

 

Jose Altuve was signed for $15k, Acuna for $100k. There are a bunch of others examples of this too. Not only do these guys sign at 16, but the deals are often agreed even earlier than that. So I agree that spreading it around a bit, and investing a ton into the player development side in the DR complex, is a good way to go. Which is not to say it's always the way to go, but using the whole pool on two $3m guys is a very risky maneouver.

[Eye Black]

Something interesting I noticed: Fernando Tatis Jr. was ranked #27 in MLB's international prospect rankings in 2015 and was signed for $825k. Not to say that any one of our guys may turn into another Tatis, but just goes to show that this whole international signing thing is a crapshoot. Some guy making $3 mil may flame out, while a guy who didn't even crack $1 mil may turn into a superstar. I'm totally okay with us signing as many lottery tickets as we can rather than putting all our eggs into one basket, even if our guys aren't ranked that highly at first.

 

Jose Altuve was signed for $15k, Acuna for $100k. There are a bunch of others examples of this too. Not only do these guys sign at 16, but the deals are often agreed even earlier than that. So I agree that spreading it around a bit, and investing a ton into the player development side in the DR complex, is a good way to go. Which is not to say it's always the way to go, but using the whole pool on two $3m guys is a very risky maneouver.

A lot the deals are agreed to a year in advance or more, so some of these prospects are as young as 14 when deals start coming together. That is also one of the primary reasons it’s so much harder to find pitching among this young age range. It’s really tough to project how a 15 year old is going to project to develop as a pitcher.

 

Regarding smaller signings becoming top prospects, the Brewers Luis Urias was signed by the Padres for $100k (only $25k of which went to Urias because he was in the Mexican League and his team took $75k of the Padres money). Some other notable players in recent years with smaller signing bonuses include Ozzie Albies signed for $350k, Victor Robles for $225k, Dinelson Lamet $100k, Sixto Sanchez $35k, Luis Patiño $130k, Keibert Ruiz $140k. The list goes on and on, but those are some that stood out.

 

Hedbert Perez is a good example of a player that received a somewhat smaller bonus at $700k (it wasn’t the Brewers biggest bonus in 2019), but almost immediately experienced helium in his prospect status after signing. There is certainly hope the Perez signing ends up looking very good for the Brewers over the coming years.

[Eye Black]

Adding to the discussion about lower signing bonus international free agents, Jim Callis actually just wrote about this for MLB Pipeline. As Callis points out below, 11 players on their most recent top 100 prospect list signed international free agent bonuses for less than $1 million:

 

When the international amateur signing period opens, the huge bonuses grab the headlines. Eloy Jiménez ($2.8 million, Cubs, 2013), Yoán Moncada ($31.5 million, Red Sox, 2014), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ($3.9 million, Jays, 2015), Luis Robert ($26 million, White Sox, 2016) and Wander Franco ($3,825,000, Rays, 2017) landed recent megadeals that look like they'll pay off nicely. Even better, the Nationals landed Juan Soto for $1.5 million in 2015.

 

But there are countless bargains on the international market as well. The two most exciting all-around young players in the game today are Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuña Jr. Tatis signed with the White Sox for $700,000 in 2015 and the Braves got Acuña for $100,000 the year before.

 

Jose Ramirez ($50,000, Indians, 2009), Nelson Cruz ($15,000, Mets, 1998), Teoscar Hernandez ($20,000, Astros, 2011), Liam Hendriks ($170,000, Twins, 2007), Xander Bogaerts ($410,000, Red Sox, 2009) and Salvador Perez ($65,000, Royals, 2006) all received American League MVP votes last year -- and turned pro for a combined $730,000. Marcell Ozuna ($49,000, Marlins, 2008) joined Tatis and Acuña in getting National League MVP votes.

 

Plenty of more relatively cheap international signees are on the way too. Our 2020 end-of-season Top 100 Prospects list includes 11 international players who didn't command seven-figure bonuses: Marlins right-hander Sixto Sánchez ($35,000, Phillies, 2015), Rays righty Luis Patiño ($130,000, Padres, 2016), Rays middle infielder Vidal Brujan ($15,000, 2014), Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz ($950,000, Dodgers, 2015), Rays shortstop Jazz Chisholm ($200,000, Diamondbacks, 2015), Cubs left-hander Brailyn Marquez ($600,000, 2015), Dodgers catcher Keibert Ruiz ($140,000, 2014), Marlins outfielder Jesús Sánchez ($400,000, Rays, 2014), Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo ($70,000, 2016), Marlins righty Edward Cabrera ($100,000, 2015) and Yankees righty Deivi García ($200,000, 2015).

[Mass Haas]

All 26 names in the initial post now.

[wildcat83]

https://reviewingthebrew.com/2021/01/15/brewers-sign-venezuelan-ss-jackson-chourio-open-intl-class/

 

Jackson Chourio, a shortstop from Venezuela. According to Jesse Sanchez, Chourio will get a $1.9MM signing bonus.

 

Vitals that we've learned thus far:

 

CF Jackson Chourio, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 6'1"/165, $1.9 million

LF Hendry Mendez, Dominican Republic, B/T: L/L, 6'2"/175

OF Luis Castillo, Dominican Republic, B/T: L/L, 5'11"/175

OF Duncan Garcia, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R, 6'1"/170

OF Manuel Vargas, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R

OF Yeison Perez, B/T: L/L, 5'10"/165

OF/C Edguard Winterdaal, Aruba, B/T: R/R, 5'10"/155

 

C Felipe Valderrama, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 6'0"/170

C Samuel Escudero, Venezuela

C Edgardo Ordonez, Venezuela, B/T: L/R, 5'11"/155

 

SS Daniel Guilarte, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 6'0"/160

SS Pedro Riera, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 6'1"/160

SS Gregory Barrios, Venezuela, B/T: R/R

SS Richard Rojas, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 5'10"/155

SS Erick Reyes, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R, 5'10"/145

SS Jadher Areinamo, Venezuela, B/T: R/R, 5'10"/160

SS Jonatan Guzman, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R, 6'0"/155

SS Ney Serrano, Dominican Republic, B/T: R/R, 6'0"/150

 

RHP Alexander Vallecillo, Nicaragua, 6'2"/150

RHP Dikember Sanchez, Venezuela, 5'11"/160

RHP Jared Albir, Nicaragua, 6'2"/161

RHP Leonardo Rivera, Dominican Republic, 6'3"/170

RHP Patricio Aquino, Dominican Republic, 6'0"/175

RHP Kevin Briceno, Venezuela, 6'1"/160

RHP Henry Garrido, Venezuela, 5'10"/160

RHP Waldin Rodriguez, 6'3"/176

 

Traded Escudero already in the Stokes Jr deal. I actually thought there was a minimum time they had to be in the organization before being trade eligible. Escudero didn’t even make his debut yet I don’t think.

[DHonks]

 

Are any of those guys Venezuelan?

 

Honestly I could only think of Arcia/Alcides Escobar. Obviously since both are failed MLB products after being high end prospects. I’m sure we have signed a lot of Venezuelan guys over the years, I just don’t recall many being notable major signings.

 

This is pretty harsh. They were both highly successful defensive players that were able to start in MLB for a number of years. Is any MLB player a failure? I’d argue no. Now they were likely overvalued due to their defensive skills and position, but that’s a fault of these lists. Just like OBP Is the more important component of OPS, arm and glove are less important of the 5 tools.