Royals Net Top International Prospect Elier Hernandez
by Old Man Duggan on Jul 2, 2011 12:44 AM EDT
in Kansas City Royals News
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PrintWasting no time in making a splash in the international free agency market, the Royals have signed Elier Hernandez, deemed by Baseball America to be the top international prospect eligible for signing this summer (Edit: I have to admit that I misread what that list was exactly. It was a ranking of who they expected to get the highest signing bonuses in the signing period. While a ranking system of Latin American prospects may closely resemble a list of those expected to get the largest signing bonuses, the two are obviously not the same thing. My bad.), to what has been reported to be a $3.05 million contract. For those who are curious, video of the newest Royal can be found at the BA link above at the link or at Clint Scholes's write-up at Pine Tar Press. This signing had been rumored for a while, as Jorge Arangure had tweeted that the signing was likely weeks ago, but Royals fans do not take anything for granted.
The Dominican outfielder's contract falls just $100,000 short of tying the largest Latin American signing for a hitter, coming close to the deal that the Twins handed Miguel Sano in the fall of 2009. If money is any sort of indicator, Elier Hernandez is a special prospect.
Clearly, Dayton Moore got to use some of that Gil Meche money today.
On a day where Mike Montgomery had a nice rebound start in AAA, this brings more glad tidings, as the Royals have added a raw bat with a projectable body type and quick wrists to their stable of young studs highly touted prospects. Anyone worried about all of the talent in the system regressing in the minors or graduating to the Majors and leaving a black hole in its stead can rest a little easier tonight.
Well, we still don't sleep well. Royals fandom doesn't allow for that.
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Awesome!
Good to see Moore spending the tons of money at his disposal to get talent. I’d like to see us get a few more top international prospects to add to our minor league talent bin.
"We don’t have guys with a long history of being effective in the seventh and eighth innings."
~Trey Hillman, master of understatements.
Sounds like Adalberto Mondesi (Raul's son)
is a likely signing, too. He is the 12th rated prospect for this signing period by BA. A SS.
Hating life as a Royals fan 365 days a year at Royalscentricity
by Old Man Duggan on Jul 2, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I like the blood line
It runs deep and is gooooood. What the Royals really need to help bring these Latin guys along is @DomingoBeisbol to mentor and tutor these younglings.
I loathe David Glass
by RoyalJHWKR on Jul 2, 2011 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I Think It's
Possible there is at least a bit of a snowball effect in signing top Latin American FA’s. Theyl could like the idea that there will be many more good players with similar backgrounds in the system. It doesn’t trump money, but all else being equal it could be beneficial.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
From dplbaseball.com
“Hernandez isn’t effortless, but he doesn’t put as much effort into it (as Guzman),” said one Latin American director. “To me, Hernandez is the best guy. He just has a little rawness to him, some projection that you’re banking on. It’s not like the bat is that special, but he has a ton of tools. He’s physically projectable and he makes contact.”
He plays center field right now, but apparently projects as more of a corner outfielder. I’m guessing because of his average speed (so says Baseball America).
So his bat isnt that special and he has average speed.
Sounds like a Royal for sure!
Still
He’s a legit 5 tool guy and was regarded by some as the best player coming out of LA this year. Like all position players it seems, his hit tool is less advanced, but power is there. And he’s still only 16 so you have to see what happens to his body. He’s not the fastest but apparently has the ability to steal bases. Basically, he’s more risk than Guzman, but his ceiling is also higher.
I seem so pessimistic, and I don't mean to - but that scout's take sounds like Frenchy
Can steal bases, but not enough speed to play CF.
Very good arm
Very good power (I guess Frenchy lost that somewhere along the way)
Apparently a good fielder
Can hit but not described as “special”.
Maybe he’s more like Alex Gordon (since apparently I can do nothing besides compare him to starting Royals corner outfielders), which sounds much more optimistic.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 3, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Forgive the pessimism
But will we ever acquire an ACTUAL CF? Every time we get a guy, the report is “Average in CF, plus on the corners” (I’ve even heard this about Cain, and some think he could win a gold glove). Just sounds like CYA for the scouts to me.
Cain can definitely play CF
as can this little known kid they drafted you might have heard his name Bubba Starling.
When they mention the corners for guys like Bubba and Cain its because they have strong arms and can move to RF if they slow the same with Eibner. They are talking about longterm moves down the road if they establish themselves as major leaguers
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
Welcome back!
Haven’t seen you on here in a while.
I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.
by mitchfreakingmaier! on Jul 2, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Also perhaps you’ve heard of Jarrod Dyson. Not the best hitter, but you can’t say he’s not an actual centerfielder.
Yeah, yeah.
They said this about DDJ, Mitch, Eibner, Lough, and Cain. Those are a lot of dudes that could play CF in favor of all of those one trick ponies like Dyson (or whatever, 2 trick pony). We’ll see how long until they start saying it about Bubba.
\
sounds like nothing special to me
not half the skills Cuthbert had. But the philosophy is sound.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
right
i’m sure you’ve scouted both of them.
by BeauJackson on Jul 2, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
not many have since they, you know, live in Latin American
just reading the reports, kid doesnt seem like much. Spending lots of money doesnt mean he is good. Not even much of a hitting tool for a OF.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
And considered by people who actually do scouting
to be the top talent on the market? (yes, even better than the players the Rangers are throwing cash at)
by bas on Jul 2, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
and if they dont sign Starling because they throw 3.2mil to this scrub then......
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
Who told you this was a down year in Latin America?
Actually one of the better years in quite awhile
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
The phrase "5 tool talent"
includes the hit tool. Do you know something we do not? You can see video of him on the IPL site and on the Youtube, if you are looking to do your own “scouting.” They have some in their write up at pinetarpress as well
What you see in those quotes are people hedging their bets, because with a 16yo, much can go wrong.
There are some things that stick out that make you think this might be a good bet: good athlete, great bat speed, flat swing, makes contact. That sounds like someone with the projection of high average, but perhaps only moderate power. But who the hell knows.
by bas on Jul 2, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
KC has enough players that hit for just singles
where is the power? Hosmer and Moose were supposed to be huge power guys except that they arent. At least so far. Teams arent scared to pitch to the Royals because they know the most damage likely to be done is a single.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
90' at a time, baby!
and Wil Myers is the same. He is a singles hitter who can take a walk. Dont we have enough of those? And it would be nice to see a prospect actually produce a HR more than once every 3 weeks.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
and me being critical of a guy based on scouting reports
is no different than you being positive based on scouting reports…..except you choose to attack me because I dont tow the company line.
Shows your lack of intestinal fortitude as well as quite the case of you being an insecure little baby.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
Is this english?
Did I catch a niner in there… were you calling from a walkie talkie?
by billski8 on Jul 2, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
The guy lives in Latin American...
I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.
by mitchfreakingmaier! on Jul 2, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure
If “tow the company line” = “not making shit up just to be contrary and/or to fit an already conceived narrative of the competence of my team” or “refuses to presume that I (sitting in my living room) know more than people that get paid to watch baseball players in the DR full time”
You can be critical based on scouting reports, IF one is drawing from an interpretation based upon the full body of evidence. There are some reservations expressed, but that scouting report is positive.
by bas on Jul 2, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I bet I can find a positive Kyle Davies scouting report too.....
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
please stop
Here I am trying to enjoy the weekend at the lake and keep up with the news on my phone when I can, so when I see the comments have jumped up, my initial reaction is very positive. Except that, much to my dismay, its your pointless whining causing the number to rise. Trust me buddy, it is pointless. Because over the course of the last week it has become quite clear how you will feel about any issue. Have a great weekend.
the hammer
by BobHamelin on Jul 2, 2011 4:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 5 recs
Hope you dont drown at the lake
“Buddy”
Go back to Scout where your sunshine pumping is appreciated.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
Enjoy Your Vacation
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Jul 2, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions
its not your negativity that i mind
Just your style.
the hammer
by BobHamelin on Jul 2, 2011 4:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
whatever, Adgar.
Sorry the lake isnt more fun. Or you wouldnt be here. The personal attack was uncalled for, but if you want to go there, bring it.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
I think you know, friend
lets keep this about baseball. I dont need a psyche lecture from some East Coastie.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
There's nothing in BobHamelin's post that's a personal attack
If you’re attacking people because you think you’re being attacked, that’s marginally more understandable than what it appears you’re doing, which is attacking people to amplify the negativity of your posts.
apparently not 'i hope you drown in the lake'
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 2, 2011 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
guess the girls arent paying any attention to him at "the lake"
if he is posting here at 400. Poor fella. Maybe he shoulda hit the gym a little harder last winter.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
Anyone see the season finale of South Park?
Where Stan turns into a cynical bastard and the whole world turns to shit for him, causing him to lose all of his friends? That mindset is something most everyone goes through, usually during Junior High. Most of us outgrew it, get over ourselves, and try to enjoy life for what it is, despite the bullshit. Unfortunately, some people never grow out of it. DaytonSucks does have intelligent commentary to offer, but more often he is talking shit just to talk shit and overreacting to perceived attacks against himself.
Guess which gets a bigger reaction on the threads? It’s pretty obvious when he posts responses to nearly every thread that he loves picking fights. He loves to shit on people and be shit upon because it reinforces his world view that everything is shitty, which means he “wins” every argument.
Most of us aren’t like that. Even when he follow a horrible franchise for decades, we still don’t turn into complete assholes because we still get at list a modicum of enjoyment from even bad baseball teams. We find some positive stuff, we bitch and moan about stuff we don’t like, and we laugh at the really dreadful stuff. Unfortunately, he seems to only have that one emotion. My guess is he’s not a very happy person, even if he thinks he is. If the only pleasure he gets is from fucking with people on a message board, we should be pitying him, not engaging him.
by OnixConcepcion on Jul 2, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Either way, I think I'm going to try to refrain from replying from now on.
I may just start flagging his more egregious statements under “actions”.
"That's fine wood from... somewhere."
by KeepItCopacetic on Jul 2, 2011 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I think this is a good post, except for the psychoanalysis
The man (woman?) already feels picked on. No need to give him (her?) some actual personal attacks to respond to.
Is there any way that all of you guys could take the crap back to RC or royals.com
or wherever else it came from in the past 9 months?
I mean, my god, every damn thread turns into this.
If he pisses you off, DON’T RESPOND.
Unless I'm wrong...
Royals Notes from the Star.
The Star reports that
the Royals are expected to shell out $3.2 million for Hernandez, which would be the highest bonus ever given to a Latin American position player.
The Royals are also linked to shortstop Adaleberto Mondesi, the son of former outfielder Raul Mondesi, and Venezuelan catcher Luis Lara.
Fun times!
Mazara signs w/Rangers for over $5mil
uh oh. The big boys are playing now. Bye bye WalMart Royals.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
I love that Mazara was supposed to be the 10th best player available and the Rangers gave him $5M
It shouldn’t take more than a year or two of that for them to decide it’s not worth the money
BA on Mazara
Mazara has been the source of the most outrageous rumors regarding what teams have offered him, with a new team popping up each time the latest rumor gets debunked. While misinformation in the Dominican Republic is nothing new, Mazara’s outstanding raw power is a reality. He may have the most raw power in Latin America, with batting practice shots that leave scouts in awe. He employs a big leg kick and generates good weight transfer in BP with excellent loft and backspin. He has a projectable body with lanky limbs on a large, strong frame. The only thing that can match Mazara’s epic power are his equally epic ability to rack up strikeouts.
Mazara, who is represented by Ivan Noboa, doesn’t play in any of the major leagues that have popped up in the Dominican Republic and has been showcased judiciously. Several scouts have said Mazara showed up at workouts, took BP then left without facing live pitching. Those who have been seen him in games say his hit tool is nowhere near as advanced as his power. He has a massive leg kick that works for him in BP when he’s in a rhythm, but it can be difficult for him to maintain his balance and timing. He’s a corner outfielder with an average arm, but any team that signs him will be banking on his bat
They just signed Ronald Guzman
for $3.3 mil… He’s the BA #2 prospect
We've seen this behavior from the Rangers before with the A-Rod contract
I know it’s a different front office, but what is the purpose of overpaying? As today’s news comes in, it seems clear that the Rangers have a different pay scale for L.A. talent than everyone else. Maybe they think they’ve identified a market failure, but it looks a lot more like spending money just to brag about spending money. They just spent $8.3M on two clones of each other who can only play at the far right end of the defensive spectrum:
From Lonestarball:
Guzman, like Mazara, throws and hits lefthanded, and BA says he has a below-average arm and below-average speed that, like Mazara, will likely limit him to left field. Like Mazara, he is seen as someone with above-average power potential, although BA says there are questions about his bat speed that have some scouts concerned.
Guzman is 6’4" and 195 lbs., and gets high marks for makeup and instinct, according to BA.
That's pretty tough words for a front office that turned a team from cellar dwelling
to AL champs with a bankrupt owner:
but it looks a lot more like spending money just to brag about spending money
That’s just not the case.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." The JeDi
No, The Rangers suck
only Dayton moore makes good decisions.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
KSinDC is the biggest homer on this sight
Royals do no wrong in his eyes. Even though they, ya know, keep losing.
Pro-Dayton Moore = Blogger
Anti-Dayton Moore= Troll
ha, well, its cool
love coming over here and reading up on the royals.
"I’d love to walk in and hug everybody every day, but that’s not critical to us winning." The JeDi
I'm not trying to talk smack
And I’ve gone over and read the discussion on LoneStar Ball and learned a lot. You guys have a lot of confidence in your front office, which is a nice place to be. I envy you.
But why blow the roof off of the market? Is there any reason to believe you needed to spend anywhere close to $5M to get Maraza? It just seems like the amount of money was designed to send a message.
wasnt it the rangers and a's that they were competing against?
both of those teams have shown the willingness to spend huge sums of money in LA…we have no idea if they blew the lid off or not
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 2, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions
This is the largest latin america bonus ever given,
and BA, who I’d guess has a pretty good read on the mkt, thought this guy would get the 10th largest bonus. If there was a bidding war, it was a well-kept secret.
overpaying by a million or two in latin america isnt a problem...
they just got two of the top guys for 4 months of the jogui contract…and theyve got owners who are rich and love to spend money…and they had $125 million earmarked for cilff lee…its there…get the best…even if you have to overpay
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 2, 2011 6:36 PM EDT up reply actions
"theyve got owners who are rich and love to spend money"
I think this is exactly what’s going on.
What’s the hit rate on top latin american prospects? I honestly don’t know. I took the fact that the high end of the market had been stable for several years (as opposed to the Rule 4 draft, where spending has been surging) to indicate that the hit rate wasn’t as good as many teams had hoped, so the market was adjusting downward.
you hit on 1 out of what? 10 to make it a profitable venture?
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 2, 2011 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
At $4M a pop just for the signing bonus, you better hit on more than 1 in 10
I don’t know if even the Ryan Howards and Prince Fielders of the world generate $40M in surplus value in their team-control years. Plus, latin american guys are Rule 5 eligible at an earlier age than anyone else, so they not only have to pan out, they have to pan out early.
Your statements lack any knowledge on the international market.
You said this was a weak year which is actually the opposite as seen by the bonuses that are being dropped.
Hernandez, Mazara and Guzman all are above or within eyelashes of the top positional prospect pay ever for an international player.
Many believe Hernandez is the best as I have pointed out in other articles and while Mazara, Guzman or even Helsin Martinez (2M to M’s) could be the best it points to how much talent is available.
Dog the Royals all you want but spending plenty of money in this market shows a willingness to compete to acquire talent. Only the Rangers will likely outspend them in terms of amateur talent into their respective systems which is impressive.
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
Good to have insurance just in case Lough and Derrick Robinson don't work out.
Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
My Twitter feed.
I don't think your criticism holds water.
"That's fine wood from... somewhere."
by KeepItCopacetic on Jul 2, 2011 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
The Kaegel write up
It also has the Royals (Rene Fransisco) confirming they are likely to sign Venezuelans: C Luis Lara and SS Angelo Castellano. Neither made the BA top 40 (which is based more on projected bonuses than scouting comparisons).
Now if they just
Sign Manuel Gonzalez and Helsin Martinez too I’ll be very happy.
by Prime2U on Jul 2, 2011 5:45 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
The Royals could always just try to set the MLB record for most players with the same last name at the same time..
like how the Astros have a number of players surnamed Rodriguez.
"That's fine wood from... somewhere."
by KeepItCopacetic on Jul 2, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
They gone
Gonzalez to the Twins, and Martinez to the Mariners.
by bas on Jul 2, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn those twins
Any other pitching prospects that are anywhere near his level?
by Prime2U on Jul 2, 2011 6:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Royals haven't been big spenders with pitchers
they have found some diamonds though in Kelvin Herrera and Yordano Ventura. I like this approach a bit better with pitchers since spikes in velocity often come after signing like with Carlos Martinez whose spike would’ve came after MLB authenticated the Red Sox signing of him instead they denied it and the Cardinals got the good fortune of signing him.
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
True true
I do like getting guys like Noel when possible though… And Gonzalez throwing 95… But yeah I see your point and the Royals are probably being smart. Lots of 16-17 year olds aren’t going to be showing their true potential yet.
by Prime2U on Jul 2, 2011 7:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
they've done a great job later in the draft as well...
one thing i think they’re pretty good at is seeing projection in pitchers better than other teams
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Jul 2, 2011 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
WAIT
Mariners now saying they DID NOT sign Martinez
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/07/mariners-say-no-deal-with-helsin-martinez/
Hmmmm can we swipe him then please?
by Prime2U on Jul 3, 2011 1:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Counting Leonys Martin the Rangers have spent 24 million on 3 outfield prospects
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
Nice work, Dayton
Normally I’m wary of spending $3+M on a single L.A. FA teenager, but when the Royals have so much surplus cash, it seems like a good idea to me. This is doubly true since they didn’t draft many overslots that they are really going to have to shell out the big bucks for (and I think this was mostly because they didn’t have the opportunity). I hope Moore and his people sign several more 6 and 7-figure L.A. FA’s over the coming months.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
Where's the pitching?
There’s only so much room on the 40-man roster for all these prospects! Just where is the pitching going to come from? It’s certainly not here yet by any means. We will not be a winning team without it, but yet they sign outfielders, high-risk outfielders. Where’s the pitching prospects?
You get who you can get.
There is still a lot of pitching talent in the farm system. Elier wouldn’t have been atop that list had it not been thought that he was one of the top talents in Latin America this signing period.
Hating life as a Royals fan 365 days a year at Royalscentricity
by Old Man Duggan on Jul 3, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
You don’t turn your back on an excellent L.A. FA who is an OFer just because you need pitching too. The Royals need as much talent as they can get, period. Trust me, they’re looking for pitching too.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Jul 3, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
An asset is an asset.
You sign an OF now, trade for a pitcher later if that’s what the franchise needs. If you don’t sign the OF now because he’s not at a position of need, you don’t have the asset to try to trade later.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Jul 3, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
LA is havin a down year for pitching the D-R is having an especially weak year for pitching
One of the better pitchers is from Mexico and the rest are in Venezuela I wouldn’t expect any big names from KC there.
Checkout Royals minor league notes at www.14for77.blogspot.com
My guess
is that he goes to Fall Instructs and then Short Season Rookie Ball next year, but this is really just a guess.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at Royalscentricity and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Jul 5, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
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