International Amateurs
We just completed our monthly private practice with many young international amateur free agents who we hope can aid our club in the coming years. It was great to meet the players in-person and get to know them better, and I was able to improve my scouting assessment on all invitees.
None of the players exceeded my previous expectations.
However, a few invitees left me disappointed as they did not appear to match my previous assessment, although they may still end up being future stars:
Alfredo Nolasco, 17 year-old 1B out of Colombia
Lean and athletic, Alfredo Nolasco hails from Barranquilla, Colombia. He has plus power potential. He is an advanced hitter for his age. He has plenty of bat speed and does a great job of squaring up the ball. He projects to have a keen batting eye. Scouts project Nolasco to fill a key role for a contending team in the big leagues.
Gilberto Ledezma, 16 year-old RHP out of Dominican Republic
6' 5" Gilberto Ledezma is an intimidating presence on the mound. He should feature a nasty curveball as well as an off the charts sinker at his peak. When he's on he's unhittable, but he's susceptible to the long ball and wandering command. If everything comes together Ledezma has the talent to pitch at the top of the rotation.
And other players that I was able to further assess were:
Ernesto Aguilar, 17 year-old RHP out of Dominican Republic
Luis Burgos, 17 year-old RHP out of Colombia
Juan Herrera, 17 year-old 1B out of Dominican Republic
Ezequiel Molano, 17 year-old RHP out of Venezuela
Andres Bedoy, 16 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Alejandro Castanon, 16 year-old CF out of Cuba
Esteban Gardea, 16 year-old 2B out of Venezuela
Fiorello Gregoretti, 17 year-old SS out of Venezuela
Draft Lottery
Major League Baseball announced today the results of the draft lottery for the upcoming MLB Rookie Draft. The first 6 draft picks have determined to belong to the following teams. Other teams will draft in order of standings.
1. San Antonio Avalanche (7)
2. Chicago Cubs (5)
3. Boston Red Sox (2)
4. Houston Astros (3)
5. San Francisco Giants (4)
6. Colorado Rockies (8)
Rule 5 Draft Trades & 42-man Changes
It was quiet on the trades front for the Giants as of the players on long term contracts and therefore on the block (the exception being Andy Frederick) only Cason Willard brought any interest and none of the offers brought a quality return so the Giants stayed put.
The Royals added their four, potentially average, Rule 5 Eligible players to the 42-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft and designated 5 players for assignment.
That gave them space for an active Rule 5 Draft, where they picked up five players who will have the chance to earn a roster spot on Spring Training.
42-man Roster Additions/Removals
Wednesday, December 6th , 2051
RP Jesus Espinoza was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
LF Jeff Pohlman was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
CF Edgar Rosa was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
1B Vince Temple was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
1B Kurt Campbell was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Placed CL Darron Dougherty on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed 2B Johane Felcio on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed CL Chris Gordon on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed SP Juan Montoya on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Rule 5 Draft Transactions
Sunday, December 24th , 2051
Drafted SP Jesus Barbosa in the 2051 Rule 5 Draft (Round 1, Pick 4, 4th overall Pick) from the Boston Red Sox.
Drafted SP Andres Castro in the 2051 Rule 5 Draft (Round 2, Pick 4, 34th overall Pick) from the San Antonio Avalanche.
Drafted 2B Frank Garras in the 2051 Rule 5 Draft (Round 3, Pick 4, 64th overall Pick) from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Drafted 2B Ernesto Pantoja in the 2051 Rule 5 Draft (Round 4, Pick 4, 94th overall Pick) from the Minnesota Twins.
Drafted LF Ed Janiczek in the 2051 Rule 5 Draft (Round 5, Pick 4, 124th overall Pick) from the Philadelphia Phillies.
Development Lab Update
Midway through the development lab programmes and the Royals have five of twelve at least on track with the remaining players frustrated. Stewart leaves all 12 in the lab to see out the programmes.
