Nats Announce International Signs
For the second straight year, the Nationals have gone big, signing Cuban sensation Christian Vaquero for a reported (and record) $4.925M bonus. The Nats 2022 pool was $5,179,700.
The 17-y.o. Vaquero, a switch-hitting OF, was ranked #1 by Baseball America and #2 by MLB Pipeline. He’s considered to be a five-tool talent, listed at 6’3″ and 190 lbs, and plays CF, though longtime readers should know that the position a player plays when drafted or signed is rarely the one he plays in the majors (see: Harper, Bryce C/LHP).
The Nats also announced nine other IFAs, though most of the dollar amounts are unknown at this time. It should also be noted that bonuses of less than $10K do not count against the pool. Without further ado:
- C Jeremy Bautista, 17 (D.R.)
- IF Albert Casado, 17 (D.R)
- RHP Ramon Cuevas, 18 (D.R.)
- IF Misael Mojica, 17 (D.R.)
- RHP Miguel Moreno, 18 (D.R.)
- SS Jorgelys Mota, 16 (D.R.)
- LHP Marlon Perez, 21 (Cuba)
- C Helder Rosario, 16 (D.R.)
- RHP Camilo Sanchez, 18 (Panama)
Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post is reporting that Mota was signed for $250K. That would exceed the Nats’ pool allotment if the $4.925M figure is accurate. It should be noted that all these dollar figures are based on secondary sources, including “a person with knowledge of the agreement.”
Irrespective of the maths, the Lt. Dan’s of the Natmosphere should be kept in the corner for another year as the Nationals spent as heavily as allowed, knowing that the true pimping for the Elks Club (i.e., getting the most bang for the buck) happens with the International market. At least until the MLBPA decides to give it away, though the implementation of a foreign draft has been rumored in each of the previous two CBAs without fruition.
Odds are that most of these guys will see action in the DSL this summer, but there’s often an outlier or two (perhaps Perez) who makes it to the complex leagues by the end of the summer.
Maybe not so fast lumping the other nine into roster filler talent .
Mota age 16 grown to 6 foot 3
Same age as Christian V as in vendetta
Plus Marlin Perez in photo seems like a barrel chested pitcher for a young lad .
Cuban lefties always intriguing
Just when you are having dimension about a retain name who reminds you of the utility roles Nats like V Pena playing or some of the latest Int’l signing
Bill Mueller pops up joining Nats PD team
Good additions
Watson and Crisp were in KC same time ?
Mueller is a grrrreat hire
Talk about a true D Watson connection dating back to LAD
D Young
Let’s stir the pot this morning … if Kieboom doesn’t hack it at 3 b.. consider calling Cubs for Ian Happ???
The Nationals were linked to Anthony Gutierrez, and everyone was puzzled how they could afford both Vaquero and Gutierrez. Reports were even coming out recently suggesting Gutierrez would wait until next year to sign, but in the end he signed with the Rangers for $2m.
Too bad. He wanted to sign with the Nats but the math is the math. Can’t blame his family, that’s life-changing money.
Interesting how the Rangers two big signings mirror decades ago their development of Sierra and Big G.
I repeat if CV could develop into some hybrid form of Devon White and Chili Davis many of us will be tickled pink or whatever color is your fancy …
Mota seems like an interesting talent to develop with Cruz and Sammy ahead of him ..
Must be altzheimers
I got my Young’s confused . … toss the tomatoes and radishes at me if you’d like …
Todd : I see why you use the XST column on big board with the “ extra stash bin” idea
When the designation of a player is in question just stash him under XST
Thredgill and especially Alek Manoah s brother Erik
Hmmm how many years to free agency is Alek in Toronto ???
Erik might be a floater between Wilmington and Sens bullpens ??
I must be psychic
Welcome back , Joel Hanrahan
Dave Jauss great ex-po hire
A real trooper in PD during Alou years on farm for expos
Welcome back Delwyn Young
De ja vu all over again ??
And Vaquero is already represented by . . . Scott Boras.
He certainly looks good on paper. We’ll know more if they actually let him come play in the FCL this year. They have sent some of their real studs to the States right away, including Soto and Robles (but also the legendary Anderson Franco and some others). It was really concerning that they didn’t think Cruz, despite the accolades and bonus, was ready for the FCL, and even more so that he did so little in the Dominican league.