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.