Per https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/international-reviews-los-angeles-angels-2018/... Both signed in July last year -- Uceta for $500K and Rivas for $200K. Both 18 year old, L/L outfielders (listed as RF on milb.com).
Raider Uceta, 18, signed with the Angels for $500,000 out of the Dominican on July 2, 2017. He's a lefty/lefty outfielder who is described as having above-average power. However, his profile suggests He'll also need to watch his conditioning to avoid getting moved to 1B. Currently, Uceta is hitting .278/.341/.373 with 20 RBI in 32 games in the Rookie-level Arizona League. Rainier Rivas, also 18, signed with the Angels for $200,000 out of Venezuela shortly after the 2017 IFA period opened. Rivas is also a lefty/lefty outfielder and was already 6-3, 200, when he signed. He is described as having "natural lift and power in his swing." Rivas started 2019 in the DSL but has since moved to the US. In 34 games, he's currently hitting .342/.433/.500 with 2 home runs and 27 RBI.
Better watch out, that Ranger blogger might accuse the Astros of acquiring Rivas as a way of circumventing the signing bonus rules.
I'm not exactly sure a Maldonado for Stassi swap (albeit...different deals) is worth all this effort. I'm sad to see Stassi go. I just wish he hit better. But, Maldonado is an ass hitter as well. I guess a few more HRs.
Anything is possible with young talent. The Astros groomed Stassi into quite a player. He is regarded as an above average pitch framer; which is good for a young staff. I’m surprised the Astros got as good of prospects as they did for Stassi, as he was going to get cut either way... Luhnow is a simply amazing, he was able to trade White, Stassi, Kemp, Fisher, and get return for them that exceeded most of our expectations!
Doubtful, but it is weird in it's similarity. Trading a marginal MLB player for guys that received big bonuses not that long ago. To get one of these guys would have been a solid deal, getting 2 is just crazy.
