|
Mr. Ed -> RE: Players and prospects III (7/2/2015 1:55:35 PM)
|
Javier story
KANSAS CITY –As was widely projected for the past four months, the Twins agreed to a $4 million contract Thursday with 16-year-old Dominican shortstop Wander Javier.
That’s the highest bonus the Twins have ever given an international player at that stage of his career, besting the $3.15 million they spent on Miguel Sano in 2009.
“We feel he’s a shortstop,” said Mike Radcliff, Twins vice president of player personnel. “He has all the skills, all the tools to be projected to be able to play in the middle infield, particularly at shortstop. Our projection is for him to have bat potential as well. There’s enough upside that we believe he’ll hit for average and power.”
Thursday opened the new international signing period, and teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers will reportedly spend upwards of $50 million (including tax penalties for exceeding their bonus allotment) on teenagers with projectable skills.
The Javier signing technically won’t be official for up to 90 days as Major League Baseball and the Office of Homeland Security completes their extensive background checks. Javier still must pass a physical and be approved for a visa, but from all indications the Twins outmaneuvered several big-market suitors for a talented young player.
“We beat out several of the big-money teams,” Radcliff said. “I know that for a fact.”
Close to 10 different Twins scouts have seen the 6-foot, 165-pound Javier at various points over the past two years. The Twins have clocked him as fast as 6.7 in the 60-yard dash, although there is some disparity in the assessment of Javier’s running ability.
“That’s one of those skills where it seems like it’s black and white and automatic when you’re watching minor-league players or major league players,” Radcliff said. “When you’re dealing with 15- and 16-year-olds, it’s a somewhat subjective grade. They’re going to change their bodies, change their strength, change their stride. Right now he seems to have all the fluidity and athleticism to run the 60 above average.”
Javier’s bonus is double what the Dodgers are reportedly paying fellow Dominican shortstop Ronny Brito, who is said to be comparable at least defensively. Javier’s superior offensive potential likely accounts for the Twins’ more aggressive valuation.
“With as much money as we’re planning to try to give him, obviously we like the guy a lot,” said Radcliff, who would not confirm the bonus amount. “We have a lot of conviction on his skills and tools. He’s very projectable. As far as comparables, we have them and they’re with some pretty impressive players, but I hesitate to throw them out.”
The Twins drafted high school shortstop Nick Gordon with the fifth overall pick in last year’s draft, signing him for $3.85 million, but they liked Javier enough to spend even more on him.
“We think this guy has a high ceiling,” Radcliff said. “There’s a lot of positive names attached to how we think about his different tools and skills, but I’d prefer to wait until he’s played in a night game somewhere before we start talking about him being the next whoever.”
Besides Javier’s tools, the Twins liked the way he competed and the instincts he showed while playing in elite-level prospect leagues in the Dominican Republic.
“That is something that has been integrated into the process, and it’s been an outstanding addition,” Radcliff said. “We all have different opinions on their ability to compete, to process information, to make decisions and in-game adjustments. Our opinion of this player in that regard is all good.”
The Twins, who have an international bonus pool of $3,948,500, could still sign a few more teenage prospects, but it’s unlikely any of them will receive seven-figure bonuses. Teams can trade international bonus slots until the current period closes a year from now.
The Twins have yet to make such a deal in either direction since the current system was put in place.
|
|
|
|