Orioles sign 16-year-old Dominican prospect

[thundercleetz]

This news is a little old, but with all the frustration about the Orioles not getting involved in the international market, here is some encouraging news.

 

Report: Orioles sign 16-year-old Dominican prospect

 

It looks like the Orioles are taking a dive into the Dominican Republic talent pool.

 

According to Baseball America's Ben Badler, the Orioles have signed 16-year-old Dominican third baseman Hector Veloz for $300,000. Badler cites Veloz's trainer, Victor Baez, for the information.

 

Here is more information from the Baseball America report:

 

The bonus is a franchise record for an amateur player signed out of the Dominican Republic and is believed to be a franchise record for all of Latin America. A club official did not return calls seeking comment.

 

At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Veloz, who is from Santiago, stands out for his plus raw power from the right side, though he has been inconsistent hitting in games. He also shows an above-average arm and solid hands at third base.

 

The deal is not official yet, as Veloz still has to clear his age and identity check and pass a drug test, which in his case could get interesting. Veloz has also already tested positive for the anabolic steroid Stanozolol when he took a drug test in mid-May as part of Major League Baseball's new registration program for 40 of the top Dominican prospects in this year's international signing class.

 

As of Friday, the paperwork in the Veloz negotiations wasn't completed, the source said. When it is, it'll be the largest signing bonus the franchise has ever given to a Dominican amateur, but not the most to an international amateur in franchise history.

 

The Orioles also have tentatively agreed to six-figure bonuses with at least two other Dominican players, but neither will exceed $175,000, the source said.

 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-notebook-0710-20100709,0,1193409.story

 

One $300,000 deal and two other $100,000-plus deals? You have to love this, even if Veloz tested positive for steriods.

 

Here is an article that ranked Veloz as the fourth best prospect this year from the DR:

 

Two Dozen International Free Agents Worth Knowing

 

4. Hector Veloz, 3B: Scouts have been somewhat torn on Veloz, who is one of the standouts of the Dominican Prospect League. Some have said his bat is arguably the best in the class and others have been less certain. He should be looking at seven figures from one of the clubs that is more convinced of his offensive potential.

 

This article was obviously written before Veloz tested positive for steroids, so I guess we got a "discount". Nevertheless, we still got a good talent into the system. He is big kid and has a solid swing. Here are two YouTube videos on Veloz:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=lSZKUOq3bec&feature=related

[Spen]

So what do you figure, that he is really 24?