Signing international players is an ever-growing trend in the MLB. It's only expected to intensify after the Boston Red Sox inked Yoan Moncada to a record-setting $31.5 million signing bonus last year. The latest rumors find the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers are among a number of MLB clubs ready to pounce once July 2 hits.
"The start of the international signing period is months away, but teams have been hard at work scouting prospects across Latin America and the Caribbean since last summer in search of future stars," writes Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.
"The Padres, Braves and Nationals have been very aggressive on the international market, and each team expects to have a solid class of prospects for the next international signing period that starts July 2. Milwaukee, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Texas have also been very busy and expect to sign a good crop of teenagers."
Ben Badler of Baseball America noted last month that the Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals and San Diego Padres are expected to exceed their international bonus pools once the new signing period begins. The Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels did that during the current signing period, which ends on May 15, and they won't be able to sign an international prospect for more than $300,000 in the next signing period.
Last June, Badler listed some notable names that would be available to sign come July 2, 2016. Among them are Cubans Yusnier Diaz (OF), Cionel Perez (P), Ronald Bolanos (P), Jorge Ona (OF), Julio Pablo Martinez (OF) and Luis Robert (OF). Sanchez provided his "10 players to watch," which include shortstop Luis Jose Almanzar (DR), shortstop Yasel Atuna (DR), pitcher Edisson Gonzalez (PAN), catcher Abraham Gutierrez (VEN), infielder Kevin Maitan (VEN), pitcher Adrian Morejon (Cuba), outfielder Tirso Ornelas (MEX), shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez (CUBA), outfielder Jeisson Rosario (DR) and the previously mentioned Ona.
The Phillies, Brewers, Braves and Padres figure to have some of the largest spending pools due to their losing records in 2015.
There will be plenty of other international prospects MLB teams will have their eye on, so keep pace with the news leading up to July 2.
