The Giants made a somewhat unexpected splash on the international market today by signing BA's #5 rated international prospect Gustavo Cabrera. Cabrera is said by many scouts to have the best tools in this year's international class. He would probably have been rated #1 except some scouts question if his bat will translate to game action. From the pictures I've seen, he is a mighty fine looking physical specimen with a nice looking batting practice swing that gives off rifle shot sounds when the bat meets the ball. Someone asked in the comments of another post where I thought he would rank right now as a Giants prospect. Based on the little we know about him, I have to think he has the highest ceiling of any current Giants prospect. While signing any 16 year old is a risky business, I always feel like ceiling trumps proximity to the majors and have always done my rankings with that philosopy. Cabrera steps in at #1 without setting foot on the field in a professional game and I don't have to think about it very long. Cabrera signed for a reported $1.3 M bonus.
The Giants also signed Nataniel Javier a big bodied, power hitting 3B prospect who was not on BA's top 20 list of international prospects but seemed to be just outside that level. In Javier, the Giants bring on board another corner IF with power potential. Javier signed for a reported $500 K bonus.
These signings balance out the recent draft in at least 2 ways: 1. The draft was pitcher heavy. These guys are hitters. 2. The draft focused on college players. These guys are younger than HS age! Even with the newly placed international spending limits, these signings represent a boost in spending for the Giants. Perhaps since they were limited by MLB CBA to a low spending limit in the draft, the Giants felt that enabled them to budget more for the international side. At the very least this should put to rest any notions that the Giants are ruled by the RDF crowd, have gone cheap and eschew upside. You really can't get more toolsy and upsidy than these two kids!
As for the possibility of more signings to come, I think you can expect the Giants to sign a few more under the radar/low 6 figure guys through next spring as has been their recent MO.
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Cabrera is a very good baseball name.
ReplyDeleteI like it.
Javie is not a bad baseball name either.
Thanks Drb for your informative blog... If it weren't for your blog, I probably wouldn't pay much attention to the international signings past and present.. I'm excited with the signings today, and am reminded that players such as Joan Gregorio, Jesus Galindo, Alberto Mejia among others are players to keep an eye on for the future.. Lets not forget Rafeal Rodriquez either..
ReplyDeleteI noticed on BA that the Giants are $56,300.00 over their draft bonus pool, which means that the Giants are going to have to subtract that amount from either or both Agosta's and Williamson's alloted slot amount to stay within their bonus pool if they want to sign them both.. I hope this doesn't cost them signing either one..
LG
The Giants can go up to approximately $200 K over their bonus pool without losing future draft picks. If they sign all remaining players for slot, they would just have to pay a $$ penalty of 75% of the 56.3 K or around $45 K. The other incentive for them to get signed is that if they don't sign, they lose that portion of the bonus pool. The only reason I can think of to not go up to as high as the draft pick penalties to sign these guys is if they have looked at next year's draft pool and concluded they can get better players in rounds 2 and 3 than Agosta and Williamson, which I think is very unlikely.
DeleteBottom line: I can't imagine the Giants not signing Agosta and Williamson, but I also am puzzled about why it's taking so darn long.
Really like these signings.
ReplyDeleteMore importantly the Giants talent acquisition strategy seems to have grown to become much more diversified and targeted through multiple channels:
IFA signings are now the best place to take the high risk (16 yr old prospects)/high ceiling players. The cost/investment outlay under the new CBA budget caps has brought the dollar risk in line if not undervalued for these high ceiling prospects. No more bonus babies with $5MM+ paydays and who knows when MLB play days. The Giants did well to target their IFA signings at high upside hitters with "tools". Also targeting multiple mid-level high ceiling IFA prospects below $500k could really payoff in stocking the system with high upside prospects. After all it only takes one to two extra MLB players produced to make a great draft.
The stateside draft, given all the caps/penalty restrictions/very few ways to really game the system, now rewards mainly picking college level arms. Outside of the first round/supp picks, high-upside HS players are not signing early because there are no substantial over-slot bonuses available. This skews the draft toward college players and the Giants, rightly so, have focused best value on power arms.
MiLB FAs/undrafted/unsigned IFAs/recycled players or better known as dumpster diving. Somehow the Giants have been able to mine this vein of talent and turn it into gold nuggets. Blanco, Pablo, Penny, Voggie, Arias, Hector Sanchez, Casilla - seems like half the team and for almost free. Best value for the Giants has been right here.
Trades. Need one say any more then Melky for Sanchez.
FAs - As long as Sabes is capped at 2 years and $5MM I can live with it. RDF is okay here.
Overall a Giants strategy has emerged and I like it. Are Sabes and Co. getting smarter then us bloggers? WOW!
The Giants' big bonus (American draft) babies have done pretty well by the Giants. Record signing money for golden spikes winners Tim and Buster has led to real fast starts and lots of silverware. Of course since that success, the Giants haven't been in a position to draft a true bonus baby in that same vein of top tier talent.
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