Dodgers add pair of talented Dominican prospects
The Dodgers’ historical past on the worldwide market dates again to the Nineteen Seventies with the creation of an academy within the Dominican Republic.
The dedication to scouring Latin America and the Caribbean to search out prime prospects stays as sturdy as ever.
The membership introduced Sunday that it has agreed to phrases with 13 worldwide beginner free brokers, a bunch headlined by shortstop Joendry Vargas, the No. 3 total prospect on the highest 50 worldwide listing, and outfielder Arnaldo Lantigua, who ranks No. 23. The group consists of six right-handed pitchers, 5 shortstops, an outfielder and a catcher. Six gamers have been signed out of the Domincan Republic, whereas seven have been signed out of Venezuela.
The Dodgers, who’ve a base signing pool of $4,144,000, haven’t confirmed the agreements. The offers are pending physicals. Last yr, the Dodgers surpassed the posh tax threshold and needed to forfeit $1,000,000 for signing Freddie Freeman.
At 6-foot-3, the lengthy and lean Vargas will face questions on his capacity to remain at shortstop, however the Dominican Republic native already reveals a fast first step, good palms and instincts for the place. He’ll keep in the midst of the infield for so long as he can, however his plus arm potential will serve him properly if he transitions to 3rd base sooner or later.
At the plate, Vargas reveals a sophisticated strategy with the flexibility to hit for common. One of the highest hitters within the class, he hits line drives to all fields and reveals residence run potential with a mechanically sound swing. He is predicted to point out extra uncooked energy and rack up extra-base hits as he fills out his body. Vargas trains with Raul “Banana” Valera, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program.
An influence-hitting outfielder from the Dominican Republic, Lantigua is massive and robust now, and extra power may very well be on the best way. His capacity to make constant contact and hit for energy emerged lately. If he continues to develop at a standard tempo, he may flip right into a middle-of-the order bat sooner or later due to his offensive prowess. Lantigua will be overly aggressive within the batter’s field and must be extra affected person on the plate, however he’s engaged on strike zone recognition and fine-tuning his strategy.
Overall, he has an opportunity to remain in middle area due to his velocity and arm power, however he additionally profiles without any consideration fielder for these causes. He trains with Marino Sierra within the Dominican Republic.
The Dodgers additionally agreed to offers with the next gamers:
Erick Batista, RHP
Anderson Jerez, RHP
Elias Medina, SS
Daniel Mielcarek, SS
Luis Carias, RHP
Harold Gonzalez, SS
Javier Herrera, SS
Eduardo Quintero, C
Samuel Sanchez, RHP
Jesus Tillero, RHP
Robinson Ventura, RHP
An worldwide participant is eligible to signal with a Major League workforce between Jan. 15 and Dec. 15. He should flip 16 earlier than he indicators and be 17 earlier than Sept. 1 the next yr — in sensible phrases, meaning gamers born between Sept. 1, 2005, and Aug. 31, 2006, shall be eligible to signal within the upcoming signing interval. Players should be registered with Major League Baseball prematurely to be able to be eligible to signal.
Teams are allowed to commerce worldwide bonus pool cash beginning Jan. 15.
