Nats Announce International Signs
It would appear the pendulum has swung back to big-ticket signings as the Nationals signed the #7 Int’l prospect (Victor Hurtado) for a reported $2.7M and the #16 IFA for $1.8M (Angel Feliz). That’s $4.5M of the $5.925M allotment for Washington, according to Baseball America.
Hurtado, who turns 17 in May, is listed at 6’3″ and 180 lbs. and projects to be a corner OF with power as he matures and puts on muscle. Feliz, who turned 17 this past October, appears to the Dominican version of Brady House: A big shortstop (6’3″, 190) who appears to be on the verge of a shift to 3B, but with a caution sign of “aggressive hitter with some length to his swing.”
The Nats also announced 18 other signings from the D.R., Venezuela, and Haiti:
- RHP Enmanuel Carela, 17 (D.R.)
- RHP Marlon De La Cruz, 18 (D.R.)
- C Rodrigo Garcia, 16 (D.R.)
- RHP Greyson Gimenez, 19 (Ven.)
- IF Diego Hernandez, 16 (Ven.)
- RHP Darrel Lunar, 17 (Ven.)
- RHP Anyel Manzueta, 17 (D.R.)
- 3B Eddy Marmolejos, 16 (D.R.)
- RHP Anel Martinez, 18 (D.R.)
- OG Arthur Paul, 17 (Haiti)
- RHP Franniel Reynoso, 17 (D.R.)
- IF Angel Requena, 16 (Ven.)
- RHP Jean Robles, 17 (D.R.)
- OF Robert Santos, 18 (D.R.)
- C Feldi Tavarez, 17 (D.R.)
- RHP Jhoan Thomas, 17 (D.R.)
- LHP Alejandro Vera, 18 (Ven.)
- OF Keiber Yepez, 18 (D.R.)
Dollar amounts for these guys were not made available, but given the return of another Nats trend – the older IFA; six of these guys will turn 19 or 20 this year – it’s probably safe to say a few of them fall under the $10K figure that doesn’t count against the allotment. This may also be an indication the oft-rumored sale of the Nationals may be off the table, as usually teams reduce spending before selling.
I’m just excited to have a Marmolejos back in the system. And cool that we signed a Haitian player. I don’t think a Haitian-born player has ever reached the majors (Touki Toussaint is Haitian but born in the US)
Let’s hope these boys are better than last year’s crop!
Last year’s crop is an EXTREMELY low bar! Team numbers:
BA: .189
SLG: .253
ERA: 5.56
WHIP: 1.62
Win %: .220
Fangraphs is higher on Hurtado and lower on Feliz. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2024-international-prospect-rankings-and-scouting-reports/
Modesto Ulloa Nats Latin scout
Jose Ulloa Nats pitching prospect /reliever
Related ?
Or the other Ulloa Emmanuel ?
the depth of your research is on another(!!) level from mine
Connecting dots , FredMD .
I don’t know how it will pan out, but I’m glad to see the Nats signing several guys who are a little “older” (relatively speaking, of course). There have been quite a number of “older” signees among the Nats’ international success stories: Rey Lopez, Difo, Severino, Suero, the original Marmolejos, Jefry Rodriguez. (I’m doing his off the top of my head, but I think they were all 17-18 when they signed.) Of course it’s also been a few years since we’ve had any of these “success stories”. . . plus several of them took a number of years to percolate in the minors.
Marlon Perez has had two very good years but seems to be looked at as a secondary prospect. Pablo Aldonis was derailed by (unspecified) injuries.
Good point about Aldonis .
A system needs as many lefty starters as possible
Saw that Sean Doolittle has been hired as a pitching coach. Glad that he is sticking around.