International Market Is Open For Business

The Los Angeles Dodgers got out the checkbook when the International Signing Period opened. The Dodgers are more than willing to pay huge taxes for spending over their allotted amount as they spent over $20 million the first day, well over their allotted $2.7 million. They signed three of the top 30 international players, as ranked by mlb.com.

Yadiel Alvarez, 19, RHP, Cuba, $16 million- The Dodgers invaded Cuba gain for the #2 ranked International prospect. Alvarez had a hefty price tag but he might have as just a hefty ceiling as far as being a prospect goes. He has a fastball that hits he high 90's, a slider that is a strikeout pitch, and an above average changeup. He has a power arm that all of the scouts love and one scout went so far as to say that Alvarez was the best 18 year old pitcher he had ever seen (mlb.com).

Starling Heredia, 16, OF, Dominican Republic, $2.6 million- Nicknamed "the Pit Bull", Heredia is widely believed to be the best total package player of the international prospects and is the #5 ranked player. I have never been a big fan of signing 16 year old players. What he does going forward from this point is all speculation. Scouts like his power and he models his game after Yasiel Puig.

Ronny Brito,16, SS, Dominican Republic, $2 million- The best part of Brito's game is his defense- good feet, strong arm- and he is a left-handed line drive hitter. At this point in his development, Brito is seen as providing organizational depth because scouts question his ability to hit once he gets into the Dodgers minor league system.

Oneal Cruz, 16, SS, Dominican Republic, $950,000- Cruz is also a left-handed hitting Shortstop but is very tall for the position and may end up in the Outfield. He has developing power and average speed.

Christopher Arias, 16, OF, Dominican Republic, $500,000- Baseball America described the best part of Arias's game as "raw power." Arias is 6'2" and a 175 pounds and he is seen as a power hitting corner Outfielder.

That is a little over $22 million for five prospects and all, with the exception of Alvarez, will stay in the Dominican Republic to play for the next two or three seasons. It will be interesting to track their development over the next couple of seasons, especially Alvarez.