2023 International Class

TimScribble

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The 2023 International Signing period officially opens up tomorrow. The class is headlined by catcher Ethan Salas, who is expected to sign with the Padres for more than Boston’s entire bonus pool. This class has a high number of quality catchers.

Red Sox bonus pool: $4,644,000
Rumored Red Sox signings:

Yoelin Cespedes SS (25th overall)
From MLB.com:
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Cespedes has been compared to a young Howie Kendrick. It’s a lofty comparison, but Cespedes has a chance to be a special prospect.

He’s compact and strong with plus bat speed and noteworthy raw power. He already shows an advanced approach at the plate and projects to be a solid everyday Major League player in the future because of his overall skill set.

The versatile teen can play any infield position but will likely end up at second base or third base. He also projects to have an average arm and be an average runner.

Off the field, Cespedes has also been praised for his makeup, baseball IQ and great work ethic. Cespedes trains with Josue Mateo. The Red Sox are among the teams who have shown interest in him.

Tony Ruiz OF (30th overall)
From MLB.com:
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

Ruiz has power, and some have even gone as far as to compare him to Julio Rodríguez.

It’s too early to tell if he will develop into the player Rodríguez is, but it’s understandable why a big power hitter like Ruiz would draw the comparison. Ruiz can already hit the ball out of the ballpark to right-center field, and he shows an advanced feel for the strike zone.

Ruiz profiles as a corner outfielder and has enough arm strength to play either left or right field. Overall, he’s expected to be an average defender and an average runner.

Ruiz trains at the OAR Baseball Academy and is represented by Felix Francisco.
 

LogansDad

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Thanks for starting the thread.

Fangraphs lists both of those players as projecting to earn $2M+ in bonus money, so what do you think the chances are they sign both? I think if I had the choice I would go all in on Ruiz, being that the organization is starved for corner outfielders, and it would be nice to have another young, high upside player who can play there.

Fangraphs also have the Yankees projected to nab the #2 player on their board, Brandon Mayea (9th on MLB.com), out of Cuba, so that's gross. Not that I care what they do, since they don't win championships anymore, anyway.

If I had to guess, I expect the Sox to sign one of the top 25 guys, and then spread their money around with lower projection guys in hopes that they develop. It goes along with the idea of filling the minor league system, and I think they are getting close to the development plan that they want. Bello, of course, wasn't highly touted and signed a $28,000 bonus, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a lot of smaller signings for the Sox.
 

TimScribble

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I saw the Yankees news as well, looks like a good signing. I’ve been trying to follow twitter for info and there are a couple of accounts that have mentioned the Sox getting both players. But I agree, if I had to choose, I’d go with Ruiz.
 

jon abbey

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I saw the Yankees news as well, looks like a good signing. I’ve been trying to follow twitter for info and there are a couple of accounts that have mentioned the Sox getting both players. But I agree, if I had to choose, I’d go with Ruiz.
You both probably know this, but all of these deals have been set for a year or two, it's just they can't be announced until tomorrow. In virtually every case, if a player is 'rumored' to a team, it means they're already committed there and have been for a while.
 

LogansDad

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You both probably know this, but all of these deals have been set for a year or two, it's just they can't be announced until tomorrow. In virtually every case, if a player is 'rumored' to a team, it means they're already committed there and have been for a while.
I did not know that, in fact. Thank you for the info.
 

jon abbey

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No problem! If you search for 'Brandon Mayea' on this site, you will see that I have been talking about him for a while now (also he may or may not have changed his first name to Brando, it's a bit unclear, but I guess we'll learn that tomorrow also). The first time I mentioned him was Oct 2021, I think making sure they had the money to sign him was a major reason they didn't go over the third tax line last season:


NY has a whole infield to fill longer term, all four positions are open or upgrade possibilities. Also Seager is a 3B ideally, I think.

Also we don’t know what the CBA will be but under the current one, if you go over $250M, I believe you lose international money and NY is currently linked to the top prospect in Jan 2023, Cuban CF Brandon Mayea. He becomes eligible later in 2022 because of the changed deadlines so it’s unclear if he’ll still wait until Jan 2023 and NY as previously agreed, but if he is, Cashman will know and that may necessitate staying under $250M (assuming the same CBA but obv we have no idea).
 

TimScribble

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Thanks Jon. I knew for most that the rumors were already deals and that tomorrow is the first day to be official. I did not realize how far back those “deals” stretched.

Also did not realize just how many players were already “off” the board. Thanks for explaining.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Is there a resource out there that covers the success rate of IFA prospects? Kind of feels like the method of spreading the money around to as many guys as you can is more valuable than gunning for the big dogs

And yes the timing of saying that feels a little odd given how highly rated Bleis is and after we just signed Devers to a mega contract for elite performance, but he’s the only hit amongst $1+ million IFAs as far as I’m aware, not counting Cuban and Japanese signings which are obviously different processes.

I guess ultimately it is all chump change to a franchise like Boston anyway but in terms of finding gems, I’m not convinced the biggest bonuses mean much if anything long-term. But if there is a resource or article out there that proves me blatantly wrong I’d be eager to check that out.

I will say that Chaim’s strategy appears to be grabbing a couple high-but-not-tip-top-tier guys for a good chunk of the pool but spreading the remaining $2-$3mil around to a bunch of guys, which is maybe a best of both worlds. Take your moonshot on guys like Bleis but leave room guys like Bello and Rafaela (not even $40k bonus between them).
 

TimScribble

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Yoelin Cespedes, SS, Dominican Republic
Team: Red Sox

In terms of pure hitting ability, Cespedes draws some of the best reviews in the class from international scouts. At 5-foot-9, he isn't that big and might move off shortstop to either second or third base, but he has some of the best bat-to-ball skills in Latin America. He has good hand-eye coordination and an aggressive approach, allowing him to barrel balls in or out of the strike zone. Cespedes has surprising juice for his size as well, flashing over-the-fence power in games.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-mlb-international-prospect-preview-million-dollar-shortstops/
 

RoDaddy

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The 2023 International Signing period officially opens up tomorrow.
This class has a high number of quality catchers.
This sadly reminds me of Daniel Flores, who of course tragically passed away after we signed him to a high bonus. He was arguably the top prospect in that year's international class and would've been close to ready to be the big club's starting catcher now if things had worked out.

I see we have signed all SS's so far but believe many prospects start out this way before moving to other positions. Flores was one example
 

chrisfont9

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This sadly reminds me of Daniel Flores, who of course tragically passed away after we signed him to a high bonus. He was arguably the top prospect in that year's international class and would've been close to ready to be the big club's starting catcher now if things had worked out.

I see we have signed all SS's so far but believe many prospects start out this way before moving to other positions. Flores was one example
That totally still stings. Just a real tragedy.
 

Yaz4Ever

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This is exciting to me. I love to see the enthusiasm with these kids and have at least a little while to revel in their potential before we start picking them apart and looking for weaknesses. This is life altering for these kids, in most cases. Really anxious to learn more about Ruiz.

Even if these kids don't pan out, it's only money found in the cushions of ownership's couches but it will be generational wealth for many.
 

JM3

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The Sox Prospects list seems more speculative but has lots of people on it...

2023 Signing Period
Signings & data are speculative & unconfirmed except for players in bold
Player Pos. Country Bonus Month
Yoeilin Cespedes SS Dominican ~$1,400,000 Jan-2023
Yoiber Ruiz SS Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Andruw Musett C Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Tony Ruiz OF Dominican $1,000,000+ Jan-2023
Luis Arredondo IF Venezuela ~$200,000 Jan-2023
Argeny Sanchez RHP Dominican ~$150,000 Jan-2023
Moises Semerite OF/SS Dominican N/A Jan-2023
Nathanael German IF Dominican N/A Jan-2023
Starlin Nunez IF Dominican N/A Jan-2023
Raymundo D'Los Santos SS Dominican N/A Jan-2023
Franklin Arias SS Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Jhoan Solarte OF Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Jesus Garcia RHP Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Kleyver Salazar C Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Jhoan Solarte OF Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Nixson Cueche SS Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Gerardo Rodriguez C Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Chad Delancey IF Bahamas N/A Jan-2023


https://www.soxprospects.com/international.htm#2023

This is the updated Baseball America List:

Boston Red Sox ($4,644,000)

Yoeilin Cespedes, SS, Dominican Republic
Argeny Sanchez, RHP, Dominican Republic
Nixon Cueche, SS, Venezuela
Luis Arredondo, SS, Venezuela
Yoiber Ruiz, SS, Venezuela
Gerardo Rodriguez, C, Venezuela
Wuilliams Rodriguez, RHP, Venezuela

Adding Just the bottom guy...

View: https://twitter.com/BenBadler/status/1615024971431936017?cxt=HHwWooCw2fOp3OksAAAA


It's weird because the Mariners already have an 18 y/o pitcher from from Venezuela who they signed in last year's IFA period with the exact same name...

https://www.milb.com/player/wuilliams-rodriguez-805777
 

Chainsaw318

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The Sox Prospects list seems more speculative but has lots of people on it...

2023 Signing Period
Signings & data are speculative & unconfirmed except for players in bold
Player Pos. Country Bonus Month
Yoeilin Cespedes SS Dominican ~$1,400,000 Jan-2023
Yoiber Ruiz SS Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Andruw Musett C Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Tony Ruiz OF Dominican $1,000,000+ Jan-2023
Luis Arredondo IF Venezuela ~$200,000 Jan-2023
Argeny Sanchez RHP Dominican ~$150,000 Jan-2023
Moises Semerite OF/SS Dominican N/A Jan-2023
Nathanael German IF Dominican N/A Jan-2023
Starlin Nunez IF Dominican N/A Jan-2023
Raymundo D'Los Santos SS Dominican N/A Jan-2023
Franklin Arias SS Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Jhoan Solarte OF Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Jesus Garcia RHP Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Kleyver Salazar C Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Jhoan Solarte OF Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Nixson Cueche SS Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Gerardo Rodriguez C Venezuela N/A Jan-2023
Chad Delancey IF Bahamas N/A Jan-2023


https://www.soxprospects.com/international.htm#2023

This is the updated Baseball America List:

Boston Red Sox ($4,644,000)

Yoeilin Cespedes, SS, Dominican Republic
Argeny Sanchez, RHP, Dominican Republic
Nixon Cueche, SS, Venezuela
Luis Arredondo, SS, Venezuela
Yoiber Ruiz, SS, Venezuela
Gerardo Rodriguez, C, Venezuela
Wuilliams Rodriguez, RHP, Venezuela

Adding Just the bottom guy...

View: https://twitter.com/BenBadler/status/1615024971431936017?cxt=HHwWooCw2fOp3OksAAAA


It's weird because the Mariners already have an 18 y/o pitcher from from Venezuela who they signed in last year's IFA period with the exact same name...

https://www.milb.com/player/wuilliams-rodriguez-805777
If you can recall 2016, the Red Sox had brothers both named Luis Basabe in the system.
One was Luis Alexander and the other Luis Alejandro.
Luis Alexander went in the Chris Sale trade.
 

JM3

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If you can recall 2016, the Red Sox had brothers both named Luis Basabe in the system.
One was Luis Alexander and the other Luis Alejandro.
Luis Alexander went in the Chris Sale trade.
Brothers makes sense.

Does that mean we are signing 1 or 2 Jhoan Solarte(s)?
 

TimScribble

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BA updated list:
Yoeilin Cespedes, SS, Dominican Republic
Argeny Sanchez, RHP, Dominican Republic
Nixson Cueche, SS, Venezuela
Luis Arredondo, SS, Venezuela
Yoiber Ruiz, SS, Venezuela
Gerardo Rodriguez, C, Venezuela
Wuilliams Rodriguez, RHP, Venezuela
Andruw Musett, C, Venezuela
Raimundo De Los Santos, SS, Dominican Republic
Nathanael German, SS, Dominican Republic
Franklin Arias, SS, Venezuela
Starlyn Nuñez, SS, Dominican Republic
Jesus Garcia, RHP, Venezuela
Kleyver Salazar, C, Venezuela
Chad Delancey, SS, Bahamas
Liosward Marin, C, Venezuela
Ricardo Rodriguez, RHP, Venezuela
Jhoan Solarte, OF, Venezuela
Albert Chalas, OF, Dominican Republic
Marcos Almanzar, RHP, Dominican Republic
Geiser Figueroa, RHP, Dominican Republic
Moises Semerite, SS, Dominican Republic
Alex Castillo, OF, Venezuela
 

nighthob

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I can hardly wait for the Van Der Schaaf Generator to start generating Ks in Boston.
 

barclay

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If he ever does make it to the show then when he strikes someone out it will be: "And he Schaafs another batter!"
[ducks...]
 

GB5

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Win Remerswall is the father of Dutch baseball, no? Or was he not Dutch?
 

nighthob

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Win Remerswall is the father of Dutch baseball, no? Or was he not Dutch?
Depends, surprisingly Orel Hershiser wasn’t Dutch. Bert Blyleven, on the other hand, was. Born in the Netherlands anyway, though he grew up in North America. There were a couple of Dutch players in the 19th century too. However the late Win Remmerswaal was the first European trained Dutch player in the modern era.
 

TimScribble

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Well, that’s interesting. Wonder what fell apart there. Would prefer the Sox to spend on someone like him than load up on the lesser perceived talent.
 

jon abbey

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Well, that’s interesting. Wonder what fell apart there. Would prefer the Sox to spend on someone like him than load up on the lesser perceived talent.
Keep in mind that most big financial commitments are made when these kids are 13-14 (ew), and so of course a bunch can change from then until now. In Ruiz's case, it sounds like there were injury concerns and I'm guessing BOS backed out or wanted to drop their offer, so he went to KC, but odds are good that it was a BOS-initiated decision.
 

TimScribble

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Right, I almost mentioned I wonder if there were injury concerns.
 

Minneapolis Millers

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This process amazes me. Scouting 14 and 15 year olds and signing them to 7 figure contracts when they are 16?? Wow.

And then you look at Soxprospects and see a guy like Rafaela at #4 and realize they also signed him at age 16… for $10,000. (And, in the same class, the over-the-hill 18 yo Brayan Bello for $28,000).

There’s a loooong way to go from 16, 17, 18 in another land… to starring in MLB.
 

jon abbey

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This process amazes me. Scouting 14 and 15 year olds and signing them to 7 figure contracts when they are 16?? Wow.
It's worse than that, they scout them even younger and sign them to nudge-nudge-wink-wink verbal deals, so the top guys are pretty much all committed by the time they're 14 or so. It's quite gross, but people involved who would know say that an international draft would be even worse.
 

Minneapolis Millers

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It's worse than that, they scout them even younger and sign them to nudge-nudge-wink-wink verbal deals, so the top guys are pretty much all committed by the time they're 14 or so. It's quite gross, but people involved who would know say that an international draft would be even worse.
Your goal today is obviously not to make me feel better :mad:;)
 

KingChre

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It's worse than that, they scout them even younger and sign them to nudge-nudge-wink-wink verbal deals, so the top guys are pretty much all committed by the time they're 14 or so. It's quite gross, but people involved who would know say that an international draft would be even worse.
I believe this 100% and I've seen it referenced elsewhere but I still haven't seen a good explanation for why people believe the international draft would be worse.

I've kinda just taken it at face value because I know the current system is so corrupt, but why do people believe the draft would lead to more corruption?

Is it as simple as the corruption is so endemic to the system that it is functionally impossible to eradicate at this point?

A draft, in theory would create a fairer system, but is the fear that more rules and restrictions would just drive the unscrupulous ones further into the black market?

(I don't feel great about using that phrase to describe teenage baseball players, but its the best I can come up with to make my point)
 

BringBackMo

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This is right around the number the Sox were projected to sign him at. Balder had reported previously that Ruiz had injury issues and the deal wa essentially off. All IFA signings are a crapshoot, and the Sox obviously felt this situation had become a crapshoot on top of a crapshoot. Perhaps they’ll regret this decision but in light of the recent narratives on the board that no one wants to sign with the Sox anymore, just important to point out that this is almost certainly a case where the Sox opted not to sign a player.
 

Apisith

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Based on the sox prospects’ list, we’ve spent $2.8m out of $4.6m. That’s still a big chunk unspent with most of the top prospects signed. It’s obviously early to judge but not spending the allotted amount feels like a missed opportunity.
 

BringBackMo

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Based on the sox prospects’ list, we’ve spent $2.8m out of $4.6m. That’s still a big chunk unspent with most of the top prospects signed. It’s obviously early to judge but not spending the allotted amount feels like a missed opportunity.
The Sox for a number of years have been pursuing more of a “spread it around” approach. Their top signing is usually in the $1.5 ish range and then they fill in with lots of players in the $10k to $200k range. Most of the bigger signees agreed to their deals a couple of years ago, so they get announced quickly. There‘s plenty of time for the Sox to continue signing IFAs they like at the lower end of the market, and there’s very little chance they don’t spend every nickel available to them.