2023 International Signing Period

Astros only team other than the Cubs that have more than 1 player in the top 21.

 

They spent 95%+ of their pool on 4 guys. It looks like quite a few teams spent almost their entire pool on a single player. I love that Houston was able to get 3 of the top 30 bonused players; sure seems like if there were an international draft that having 3 first round picks would be a big deal, even if those picks all fell in the 15-30 range.

 

Don't bonuses under a certain $amount not count against the intl cap?

 

I don’t know for sure. But the 4 guys who we’ve seen rough number bonuses reported (Diaz $2.25M, Ramirez $1.2M, Valencia $1.1M, Perez $800k) for add up to more than Houston’s total pool, so no matter if the other guys have bonuses that didn’t count against the pool at all, those 4 guys make up almost the entire pool.

 

Looked it up: $10K or less do not count. Bring on the older pitching prospects!

 

20 of the top 30 Int'l players are Dominican Rep.

 

Seems like the Astros got some mightily intriguing prospects. Of course these prospect are at likely 4 years away, but this is good for the organization.

 

Astros sign nine international prospects

The 2023 MLB international signing period is open and the Astros wasted little time, signing nine prospects.

The nine are

• OF Eduardo Pérez,
• OF Esmil Valencia,
• SS Camilo Diaz,
• SS German Ramirez,
• RHP Rafael Gonzalez,
• RHP Eudy Liriano,
• RHP Joan Ogando,
• IF Sandro Pereira and
• OF Juan Sierra. Diaz,

Ramirez and Valencia are the prizes of the class. Diaz is ranked 17th on the Top 50 International Prospects list while Valencia ranks 21st. All three are in Baseball America's Top 30 International prospects.

In the recent 2023 MLB Pipeline Poll, the Astros tied for the winners in the category of "Which team plays the international market better than any other?"

 

Jim Crane cares about the Future, International Prospects is the Bloodline of MLB Teams.

Jeremy Pena said it himself American Kids dont work as hard than Dominican Kids do. Dominican people grow up in a tougher environment, Parents are working hard, bad economy etc. Kids in the Dominican are tougher because of Parents and Environment.

Puerto Rico - Carlos Correa father is a Construction worker and worked Carlos in Construction laying bricks, Carlos toughened up and learned a tough lesson. Carlos worked hard in baseball at a young age 7 years old played Youth League, became a Star.

 

More Venezuelan Prospects would be Amazing

 

I wonder if Francisco Caldera is related to Fernando Caldera, another Venezuelan C who was signed to a 2nd tier bonus in 2019.

 

That was my first thought upon seeing the name. It seems like players with pro brothers tend to do well. Tucker is great. J C Correa might make the majors. Heck, the Astros had a Wander Franco in their system for a while.

 

Not sure if true but looks like a sweet-swinging left-handed OF prospect.

 

6'4 at 16 years old

 

It is my understanding the 16 year olds have to turn 17 before some arbitrary date to be eligible (7/1 ?)