So, as this 1st day of the new IFA signing period winds down, here's what we know (as far as we know): The Astros signed 3 Venezuelans. RHP Franklin Perez - $1,000,000 SS Miguel Angel Sierra - $1,000,000 C Brandon Benavente - $250,000. The Astros have $2,765,400 (maybe less) remaining in their IFA bonus pool.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros sign two international prospects from Panama: shortstop Juan Pineda and shortstop Ozziel Sanchez</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/484729556104794112">July 3, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Astros?src=hash">#Astros</a> have agreed to a $1.5M deal with OF Ronny Rafael, #20 on <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB">@mlb</a> Top 30 Int’l list <a href="http://t.co/bw8Mkjwr2F">http://t.co/bw8Mkjwr2F</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBPipeline">@MLBPipeline</a></p>— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/JesseSanchezMLB/statuses/486185676162211840">July 7, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Astros sign No. 25 international prospect Ronny Rafael for $1.5 million. Scouting info at Baseball America: <a href="http://t.co/JLQxtnAKxc">http://t.co/JLQxtnAKxc</a></p>— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenBadler/statuses/486194690920685568">July 7, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> The Astros have signed Dominican outfielder Ronny Rafael, the No. 25 international prospect for July 2, for a $1.5 million bonus. His contract also includes $100,000 in college scholarship money, which won’t count against Houston’s bonus pool. Rafael, 16, has a compact built (6-foot-1, 180 pounds) with impressive righthanded power, though he’s still making adjustments to get to that power in games more frequently. He has a chance to start out in center field, though most teams project him as a corner outfielder, with the arm for right field. Rafael played in the International Prospect League and trained with Manaurys Munoz and Amauris Nina. Nina also had outfielders Felix Lucas ($225,000) and Bryan De La Cruz ($175,000) when they signed with Houston last year. For the full scouting report, see post #13.
Are the Astros a little more active during this year's signing period, or am I just paying more attention?
I think these are their first 7 figure signings since Ovando. Only the Yankees have signed more international prospects.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>New Astros intl signees: outfielder Angel DeLeon, center fielder Ronny Rafael, outfielder Hector Martinez and RHP Cristofer Melendez.</p>— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/statuses/486196838630825984">July 7, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Our newest Astro, Venezuelan LHP Javier Navas. Great job by our scout Daniel Acuña. <a href="http://t.co/LKJWLzZ93Y">pic.twitter.com/LKJWLzZ93Y</a></p>— Oz Ocampo (@OzOcampo) <a href="https://twitter.com/OzOcampo/statuses/498109562118213632">August 9, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
