Today marks the beginning of the International Free Agent signing period. The 30 teams of Major League Baseball scour the globe year-round in search of that next superstar. But, July 2 is the first day that are allowed to sign teenage players from outside the United States and Canada. There will be a few Australians, a couple of Koreans maybe, a Taiwanese kid here and there, and maybe a European as well. But, the vast majority of players signed in this period come from Latin America. Many of these kids are from the Dominican Republic, with Venezuela close behind. A few call Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama, or the Antilles (Aruba, Curaçao) home.
On this first day of the new International Free Agent signing period, the Houston Astros have signed 3 Venezuelans: RHP Franklin Perez, SS Miguel Angel Sierra, and C Brandon Benavente. Perez and Sierra both received a $1 million signing bonus, while Benavente signed for $250,000.
This post will be updated as known signings are announced. There will also be many, many more players signed by the Astros for a significantly lower amount than what these three are getting. Almost all of these signings are unannounced, and the only proof of their existence is most likely in the hands of Oz Ocampo (and company) and the rosters of the Dominican Summer League. Many of them may never make it out of the Dominican Summer League. At the same time, one of them may emerge as a top prospect, and we'll be eagerly anticipating his arrival, much like we've done with George Springer and Jon Singleton. And who knows? Maybe that top prospect will become the MVP, or a Cy Young Award winner, or a perennial All-Star, or even a Hall of Famer.
I would like to wish Oz Ocampo and his staff the best of luck in their continual and tireless pursuit of bringing in quality talent into the Houston Astros pipeline.
¡Bienvenidos a los Astros!
2014 Houston Astros International Free Agent Class
RHP Franklin Perez, Venezuela ($1,000,000)
SS Miguel Angel Sierra, Venezuela ($1,000,000)
C Brandon Benavente, Venezuela ($250,000)
SS Juan Piñeda, Panama
SS Ozziel Sanchez, Panama
OF Ronny Rafael, Dominican Republic ($1,500,000)
OF Hector Martinez, Dominican Republic
RHP Cristofer Melendez, Dominican Republic
LHP Javier Navas, Venezuela
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