International signing day launches new careers
By César Augusto Márquez
Once again July 2 is a special day in baseball. It’s the day 16-year-olds from throughout most of Latin America have the opportunity to sign with big league clubs. Miguel Cabrera, Gleyber Torres, Nomar Mazara and Miguel Sanó were just a few of the stars who began their road to stardom through this path.
This year features another cohort of major prospects that big league teams are hoping will impact the organization in the near future, perhaps a quick rise up the ranks like Juan Soto or impactful rookie campaign like the Yankees’ Torres.
Catching on with Los Doyers
Venezuelan Diego Cartaya is considered by many scouts as the most complete catcher available in this international class. The Maracay product hails from Miguel Cabrera’s hometown. His mother Mery Lárez is a well-known sports trainer who was a talented softball player.
“Diego arrived at the academy at 11 years old,” said Cartaya’s trainer Alexis Quiroz. “From the start I liked his leadership skills, his attitude toward his teammates, and those are valuable traits for his position.
“His work ethic and discipline were among his biggest strengths. He brought that from home because his mother was one of the most recognized athletic trainers in Venezuela.”
Cartaya will probably announce a seven-figure deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has been compared with another elite catcher from Venezuela, Salvador Pérez.
“Diego is a great offensive catcher, very similar to Salvador Pérez at the same age,” a National League West scout said. “Perhaps he’s not as advanced defensively, but he has a live bat that will develop power in the future. He has the potential to be a starter in the majors.”
Other amateur catchers to keep in mind are José Rodríguez (Rangers, $2.0 million) Antonio Gómez (Yankees) and Francisco Álvarez (Mets, $2.7 million)
Twins Outfield Signee
Baseball runs in Misael Urbina’s blood. He’s considered Venezuela’s top prospect in the 2018 class. The Valencia native is the son of the late scout and former player Henry Centeno.
His five tools prompted the Twins to give him a $2.75 million signing bonus, the biggest bonus given to a Venezuelan amateur this season. Urbina also received a $300,000 education fund.
“Sadly, I never met my father,” he said. “He died in a car accident, but baseball runs in my blood. I was eight when my mother first took me to play baseball. I enjoyed playing and playing. At 11 years old I realized that this was serious.
“I dedicate this to my mother, Leoncinett and my agent Yasser Mendez, who has been like a father for me.”
Urbina, who admires Gerardo Parra, considers himself a normal kid his age.
He likes to play Playstation and listen to Ozuna and Bad Bunny to have fun. He admired Parra growing up. He now likes to watch Eddie Rosario.
“I hope to play with him one day,” he says.
“Urbina is a complete athlete, has great speed to play centerfield right now, but we project him to be a corner outfielder. His power will increase,” stated the scouting coordinator for Venezuela of an American League team.
A Giants Find
If Urbina is considered the best outfielder in this market, Marcos Luciano is very close to the top. Although the Giants signed him as a shortstop for $2.6 million, there are some in the organization who predict that he’ll end up in the outfield.
“Luciano is a great athlete, fast with great defensive skills and great footwork, and we signed him as a shortstop,” a Giants scout said. “But I think that above all he’s a great hitter who projects as a power bat. It’s possible that he’ll play in the outfield, especially as his develops physically.”
Luciano was born in Pimental in the Dominican Republic.
“Since he was a very young child, Marcos showed great discipline,” his agent Edwin “Ray” Castillo said. “We followed him until he finally started training with us in the last few years.”
Other shortstops who are highly regarded: Gabriel Rodríguez (Cleveland Indians, $2.1 million) and Noelvi Marte (Mariners).
Toronto’s Flock of Outfielders
The Blue Jays have stocked their farm system in recent years with top prospects such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Eric Pardinho and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
The Blue Jays have decided to give a $3.5 million signing bonus to Orelvis Martinez, the largest given to a Latin American prospect during this international signing period.
“Orelvis is one of the most interesting players in this market,” an experienced American League scout said. “I think his case will end up like Miguel Cabrera’s, who started as a shortstop and then moved to third.”
Featured Image: Jesse Sanchez Twitter
Inset Image: César Augusto Márquez