Cleveland Sports Forum

Is he the best?: Alex Ramirez may have put together the best resume of any foreign-born player in NPB history. | KYODO.

Baseball / Japanese Baseball

Ramirez possibly top foreign-born player ever in NPB

by Jason Coskrey

Staff Writer

Alex Ramirez thanked God before he reached first base. He continued along and touched the other bags as a light, constant rain fell on Jingu Stadium and the sparse crowd — 11,069 to be exact, though Ramirez would later say the place felt packed — that braved the promise of a Saturday downpour and watched him become the first foreign-born player in NPB history (42nd overall) to collect 2,000 hits, which he did with the 379th home run of his career.

“In the future, I will not have to say I was a good player anymore” Ramirez said. “I’m not going to have to say I was a good player in Japan. With this, it speaks for itself.”

Ramirez’s legacy in Japanese baseball was secure long ago. The only question now is if he’ll be remembered as the greatest foreign-born player ever.

Currently in his 13th season in Japan, Ramirez has a career .303 average, is 22nd on the all-time home run list and 20th in RBIs with 1,262 over his career with the Yakult Swallows, Yomiuri Giants and now Yokohama BayStars. Tuffy Rhodes is the lone foreign-born player with more homers (464) and RBIs (1,269).

“In regards to greatness, Rami is certainly up there,” renowned author and Japanese baseball expert Robert Whiting said in an email. “He won’t pass Tuffy in homers, but will beat him in RBIs and batting average and hits. That’s enough, don’t you think, to put him at No. 1. And also he is more likable than Tuffy, who had a temper. But don’t forget to include Leron Lee in your conversation about greatness. People tend to forget, but he has the highest lifetime batting average (.320) of anyone in Japanese professional baseball with over 4,000 at-bats. (Ichiro of course had a higher career batting average in Japan, but didn’t make 4,000).”

Ramirez is the elder statesman among NPB’s foreign community, many of whom were happy to see history made.

“I love it,” Yomiuri Giants pitcher D.J. Houlton, in his sixth year in Japan, said. “It’s good to see a guy come over here and be successful and play long enough to get 2,000 hits. He (also) plays everyday, and he’s not the youngest guy. He goes out there every day and works hard. He’s a good guy to model yourself after.”

There have been numerous foreign players who put up impressive numbers in Japan. Some have won MVPs — Rhodes, Randy Bass, Warren Cromartie and Boomer Wells, to name a few — and there are two foreign-born Sawamura Award winners, Victor Starfin and Gene Bacque. A few could’ve laid claim to the title of “greatest foreign player,” but Ramirez’s longevity — the 38-year old has played in 1,696 games, the most by a foreign-born player — has set him apart.

Lasting for so long in Japan is no accident. The game is demanding enough, but the cultural adjustments needed to survive in NPB and Japanese society is more than most have historically been able to handle for more than a couple of years, if that long.

“It takes a special breed of player,” said Jeremy Powell, a former pitcher who spent eight seasons in Japan with the Kintetsu Buffaloes, Orix Buffaloes, Yomiuri Giants and Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. “I think all of us who have spent a longer time over there had the ability to adjust sooner. Not physically, mentally. You have to have the ability to have an open mind and embrace the Japanese way.”

Powell also stressed the importance of foreign players earning the trust and support of their ballclubs.

“They have to allow you to adjust on the field, allow you to fail to succeed,” he said. “Unfortunately in a game built on failure, most guys don’t get to fail, they have to produce and produce now. Odds are against us staying for a long time.”

Ramirez didn’t think he’d last much more than a year in 2001, when he arrived to play for the Swallows.

The Venezuelan slugger had been signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1991 as an amateur free agent, and for seven years hit at almost every level of the farm system, never finishing with fewer than 11 home runs or 44 RBIs in seasons with at least 67 games played. He was mostly unable to carry that into the majors, hitting .259 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs in 135 games over parts of three seasons.

He found early success at Yakult, and over a decade later has contributed to three Central League pennant winners, helped capture two Japan Series titles, won a pair of Central League MVP Awards (2008 and 2009), made eight All-Star Games, and set numerous records.

“Alex has to be the best foreigner ever, right?” remarked Powell. “Tuffy is up there as well, but Alex has been there longer and recently reached a milestone that I don’t think will ever be broken. It doesn’t matter where you do it, but making history in any capacity like this takes the cake.”

Ramirez’s peak was a sublime stretch from 2003-2010 during which he averaged 35 home runs and 116 RBIs per season. The eight consecutive 100-RBI campaigns he put up during that span broke the NPB record held by Giants icon Sadaharu Oh.

“He’s a legend,” said Yokohama’s Nyjer Morgan, in his first season in Japan after six in MLB. “That’s something historic. My first time being part of something like this. I’m just embracing this whole being in Japan and playing with Rami-chan, a future legend.”

Ramirez’s numbers may be eclipsed only by his immense popularity. He’s become a fan favorite due to the way he’s embraced Japan, his popular post-home run performances, and the easy, amiable way he interacts with fans. He’s also set up charities in Japan and has developed a deep affinity for the country.

“I have received all the support from Day One,” Ramirez said. “The kindness and what people make me feel here, not only me, but also my family, it’s just like home. This is home, and this is the place where I want to be, and I would like to stay here after I’m done with baseball.”

Among the pantheon of foreign players, perhaps only the enduring popularity of former Hanshin Tigers great Bass, who remains so beloved Whiting said, “If the fans in Japan took a vote to choose Greatest Gaijin, Bass would win handily,” surpasses Ramirez’s.

“I really hope that the Japanese community takes him in and puts him in the Hall of Fame because he’s earned that,” Swallows outfielder Lastings Milledge said of Ramirez. “All the stuff he’s done for the community, all the stuff he’s done on the field and off the field, I think it’s great. He’s different than all the foreigners that came over. Arguably, well, not arguably, he’s the best foreigner to ever play in Japan.”

A long time coming: Yokohama BayStars slugger Alex Ramirez receives special recognition after collecting his 2,000th hit in Nippon Professional Baseball on Saturday at Jingu Stadum. | KYODO


Baseball / Japanese Baseball

Ramirez becomes first foreigner to reach 2,000-hit milestone in Japanese baseball
by Jason Coskrey Staff Writer

The performance was special this time. Alex Ramirez celebrated on his way around the bases, kissing two fingers and pointing at the sky between first and second, but his patented post-home run ritual was missing as he was congratulated by the rest of the Yokohama BayStars.

Nothing extra was needed, not after Ramirez, NPB’s consummate showman, provided all the drama necessary by breaking into Japanese baseball’s revered 2,000-hit club with a solo home run during the BayStars’ 6-3 win over the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on Saturday at Jingu Stadium.

“Before I touched first base and I heard the people yelling, I thought, ‘I did it. It’s done,’ ” Ramirez said. “The first thing that came to my mind was ‘Thank you God.’ “

Ramirez is the only foreign-born player to achieve the milestone and reached 2,000 hits in his 1,695th NPB game, faster than any player in history except “God of batting” Tetsuharu Kawakami, who needed 1,646 with the Yomiuri Giants, known as the Tokyo Kyojin until his sixth year with the team, to reach the mark.

Ramirez and Kawakami are the only players to reach 2,000 hits in fewer than 1,700 NPB games. Ichiro Suzuki reached 2,000 in 1,465 games between his career with the Orix BlueWave in Japan and the Seattle Mariners in the U.S.

“He’s the greatest,” teammate Tony Blanco said of Ramirez. “That’s something special. A foreign hitter to get 2,000 hits in Japan . . . he’s going to be No. 1 for a long time. I’m so happy for him.”

Ramirez ended last season seven hits shy of 2,000 and got off to a good start to begin the 2013 campaign. The chase briefly stalled during the BayStars’ series against the Giants earlier in the week. The first game was rained out, and Ramirez went hitless in the remaining two contests. He collected a pair of hits against the Swallows on Friday to move within one of the milestone.

“I started thinking,” Ramirez began, “of course the time will come, but how is it going to be? What is going to be the reaction from the fans, how am I going to react, how am I going to be able to handle that? Because 2,000 hits is to make history basically.

“I’m not going to be just Rami-chan, who people will say, ‘Rami-chan was a good player.’ I’m going to be on a different level in the history of baseball here in Japan. For me, I feel honored to be here and to accomplish these things. Especially in this beautiful country.”
Ramirez said the home run, which came against former teammate Masanori Ishikawa, was the most memorable of his career. He dedicated it to his wife and entire family after the game.

There could hardly have been a more fitting setting for Ramirez to carve out his place in NPB history. He began his career with the Swallows in 2001 and called Jingu Stadium home for seven years, helping Yakult capture the Central League pennant and Japan Series title in 2001.

Ramirez received flowers, as is Japanese tradition after milestones, from Swallows infielder Shinya Miyamoto, his former teammate, after his hit. Miyamoto, who recorded his 2,000th hit last season at Jingu, and Ramirez are the latest members of the ’01 Swallows to have reached the milestone. Atsunori Inaba also joined the 2,000-hit club last season, while famed catcher Atsuya Furuta collected his 2,000th in 2005.

“It’s an honor to be able to get flowers from Miyamoto-san,” Ramirez said. “I respect him very much. I started my career with him, and I learned so much from him. Just to be able to do it here in this stadium, where I started my career, I have a lot of respect for the Yakult Swallows organization and their fans.”

Only 41 players in NPB history — four active — have more career hits than Ramirez. Past greats Tuffy Rhodes (1,792 hits) and Leron Lee (1,579) are the only other foreign-born players to crack the top 100 on NPB’s all-time hits list.

“Even now, he’s still productive,” Swallows outfielder Lastings Milledge said of the 38-year-old Ramirez. “They have to put you on the team if you’re producing. If you’re not producing, you won’t be here. So the fact he’s still here shows how productive he’s been.”

Having experienced his greatest success in Japan, reaching the mark based on his NPB numbers alone was something of great importance to the Venezuelan star.

“I want to take this opportunity to say thanks to the Swallows organization for giving me this great opportunity to start my career in Japan,” he said. “Also to the Yomiuri Giants. For that great opportunity to play there, four years, and basically become the player that I am today.

“To the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, this is a great opportunity. I really want to say thank you. I’m going to try to do my best to accomplish what I came here for, and that’s to win the championship.”

The Animal: Former pitcher Brad Lesley, who played two seasons with the Hankyu Braves in the mid-1980s, died on Saturday at 54. | KYODO

Baseball / Japanese Baseball

Former Hankyu hurler ‘Animal’ Lesley dead at 54

by Jason Coskrey

Staff Writer

Former Hankyu Braves reliever Brad “Animal” Lesley, whose outsized personality and antics on the mound made him a fan-favorite and provided the springboard for a second career in Japanese television and later Hollywood, died on Saturday at the age of 54.

U.S. website TMZ first reported the death of the right-hander, who had suffered from kidney problems over the last several years.

Lesley’s ex-wife, Chiho Svimonoff, told the website Lesley had been rushed to a hospital in Marina Del Rey, California, on Saturday night and later died.

Lesley played two years in Japan beginning in 1986, and was 7-5 with 24 saves in 60 appearances for the Braves, who in later years became the Orix BlueWave and ultimately, following a merger with the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes, the Orix Buffaloes.

Lesley’s best season in Japan was his first, when he finished 5-3 with 19 saves and a 2.63 ERA in 42 appearances.

He was embraced by Braves fans, who took a liking to his enthusiastic celebrations and demeanor. Animal could sometimes be seen playing air guitar in the outfield before games, and would launch into an exuberant explosion of gyrations and screams after saves, sometimes even giving his catcher a hard smack on the mask afterward.

Instead of his surname, he wore “Animal” on the back of his uniform. Lesley also dabbled in music, recording his theme song “Champion Animal” in 1986.

Lesley starred in a few television commercials during his playing days, then transitioned into acting after his career was over. He had a stint on the Japanese show “Fuun! Takeshi Jo,” and later made his Hollywood debut in the 1992 film “Mr. Baseball, “which starred Tom Selleck and centered around a former major leaguer coming to Japan to extend his career.

Lesley’s most famous role may have been as John ‘Blackout’ Gatling in the 1994 film Little Big League. Lesley also had a brief appearance in the movie “Space Jam,” which starred Michael Jordan.

Lesley was born Sept. 11, 1958, in Turlock, California. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds with the ninth pick of the 1978 amateur draft and made his MLB debut July 31, 1982 at age 23.

Animal spent three seasons with the Reds, then joined the Milwaukee Brewers in 1985. He played in 54 games in his MLB career and was 1-3 with six saves and a 3.86 ERA, before moving to Japan to join the Braves.

A TRIBUTE TO BRAD THE ANIMAL LESLEY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aj14dY5Q_Rk

NOLAN RYAN DOES HIS BRAD "ANIMAL" LESLIE IMITATION

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAaCCaQ6 ... ature=fvwp

Baseball / Japanese Baseball

Balentien strikes again to power Swallows past BayStars

Apr 30, 2013

YOKOHAMA –

Wladimir Balentien continued to swing a red-hot bat, homering three times and driving in five runs to key the Tokyo Yakult Swallows’ 12-3 victory over the Yokohama BayStars on Monday.

The Swallows scored a season-high 12 runs, and have now won six in a row. Yokohama has lost six of seven.

The Central League’s home run king two years running, Balentien, who has gone yard in three straight games, went deep in each of the first two innings and again in the eighth.

Two of the homers went outside the park at Yokohama Stadium.

Balentien raised his season total to eight, gaining fast on Yokohama’s Tony Blanco, whose two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth was his CL-leading 14th roundtripper on the year.

Lastings Milledge and Kazuhiro Hatakeyama joined in on the rout with three hits, including a homer, and three RBIs apiece. With ample run support, Kenichi Matsuoka (1-1) won his first game in two years, striking out six and allowing one earned run in six innings of work.

Dominican prospect Eloy Jimenez posing for cameras in his International Prospect League uniform. The 16-year-old outfielder is considered by many scouts to be the top free agent available for this years July 2nd signing period.

Top 50 International Free Agents 2013
(Ages as of July 2, 2013)

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/4/2 ... ree-agents

<

International Bonus Pools (BA)

1. Astros $4,943,700
2. Cubs $4,557,200
3. Rockies $4,213,800
4. Twins $3,908,600
5. Indians $3,636,900
6. Marlins $3,395,200
7. Red Sox $3,179,900
8. Royals $2,988,100
9. Blue Jays $2,817,100
10. Mets $2,664,600
11. Mariners $2,580,000
12. Padres $2,500,800
13. Pirates $2,426,000
14. Diamondbacks $2,355,700
15. Phillies $2,289,700
16. Brewers $2,227,300
17. White Sox $2,168,300
18. Dodgers $2,112,900
19. Cardinals $2,060,600
20. Tigers $2,011,200
21. Angels $1,993,700
22. Rays $1,976,500
23. Orioles $1,959,400
24. Rangers $1,942,700
25. Athletics $1,926,100
26. Giants $1,909,900
27. Braves $1,893,800
28. Yankees $1,877,900
29. Reds $1,862,100
30. Nationals $1,846,900

FROM BASEBALL AMERICA

A Look At The Initial 2013 Draft Order

Posted Oct. 4, 2012 4:55 pm by Conor Glassey

Filed under: Draft Dope

With the regular season in the books, the 2013 draft order is now set. Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, only the first 10 picks are protected. This offseason is the first after the elimination of the Type A/Type B free-agent compensation system. The only free agents subject to compensation will be those who are offered contracts equal to the average salary of the 125 highest-paid players in the game as they enter the free-agent process. Players also have to be with a team for an entire season to be subject to compensation. A team that signs one of those free agents will give up its first-round pick (though it will disappear rather than go to the former club) and the player’s previous team will gain a pick at the end of the first round.

This will also be the order of how much each team has to spend internationally. These numbers likely will shift some when teams start signing free agents, but here's how the first three rounds shape up right now:

First Round

1. Astros
2. Cubs
3. Rockies
4. Twins
5. Indians
6. Marlins
7. Red Sox
8. Royals
9. Pirates (for failure to sign 2012 first-rounder Mark Appel)
10. Blue Jays
11. Mets
12. Mariners
13. Padres
14. Pirates
15. Diamondbacks
16. Phillies
17. Brewers
18. White Sox
19. Dodgers
20. Cardinals
21. Tigers
22. Angels
23. Rays
24. Orioles
25. Rangers
26. Athletics
27. Giants
28. Braves
29. Yankees
30. Reds
31. Nationals

Competitive Balance Lottery Round 1

32. Royals
33. Marlins (acquired from Pirates on July 31)
34. Diamondbacks
35. Orioles
36. Reds
37. Tigers (acquired from Marlins on July 23)

Second Round

38. Astros
39. Cubs
40. Rockies
41. Twins
42. Indians
43. Marlins
44. Red Sox
45. Royals
46. Blue Jays
47. Mets
48. Mariners
49. Padres
50. Pirates
51. Diamondbacks
52. Phillies
53. Brewers
54. White Sox
55. Dodgers
56. Cardinals
57. Tigers
58. Angels
59. Rays
60. Orioles
61. Rangers
62. Athletics
63. Giants
64. Braves
65. Yankees
66. Reds
67. Nationals

Competitive Balance Lottery Round 2

68. Padres
69. Indians
70. Rockies
71. Athletics
72. Brewers
73. Marlins (acquired from Tigers on July 23)

Third Round

74. Astros
75. Cubs
76. Mets (for failure to sign 2012 second-rounder Teddy Stankiewicz)
77. Rockies
78. Twins
79. Indians
80. Marlins
81. Red Sox
82. Royals
83. Blue Jays
84. Mets
85. Mariners
86. Padres
87. Pirates
88. Diamondbacks
89. Phillies
90. Brewers
91. White Sox
92. Dodgers
93. Cardinals
94. Tigers
95. Angels
96. Phillies (for failure to sign 2012 second-rounder Alec Rash)
97. Rays
98. Orioles
99. Rangers
100. Athletics
101. Giants
102. Braves
103. Yankees
104. Reds
105. Nationals

Supplemental Third Round

106. Athletics (for failure to sign 2012 third-rounder Kyle Twomey)

2013 MLB Updated Draft Order

By Matt Garrioch on Mar 27 2013, 7:54a

Here is an updated look at the running order of the 2013 MLB Draft.

First Round

1 Houston Astros
2 Chicago Cubs
3 Colorado Rockies
4 Minnesota Twins
5 Cleveland Indians
6 Miami Marlins
7 Boston Red Sox
8 Kansas City Royals
9 Pittsburgh Pirates (Appel)
10 Toronto Blue Jays
11 New York Mets
12 Seattle Mariners
13 San Diego Padres
14 Pittsburgh Pirates
15 Arizona Diamondbacks
16 Philadelphia Phillies
17 Chicago White Sox
18 Los Angeles Dodgers
19 St. Louis Cardinals
20 Detroit Tigers
21 Tampa Bay Rays
22 Baltimore Orioles
23 Texas Rangers
24 Oakland Athletics
25 San Francisco Giants
26 New York Yankees
27 Cincinnati Reds

Comp Round A

28 St. Louis Cardinals (Kyle Lohse)
29 Tampa Bay Rays (B.J. Upton)
30 Texas Rangers(Josh Hamilton)
31 Atlanta Braves(Michael Bourn)
32 New York Yankees(Nick Swisher)
33 New York Yankees(Rafael Soriano)

Competitive Balance Round A

34 Kansas City Royals
35 Miami Marlins (from the Pirates)
36 Arizona Diamondbacks
37 Baltimore Orioles
38 Cincinnati Reds
39 Detroit Tigers (from the Marlins)

Second Round

40 Houston Astros
41 Chicago Cubs
42 Colorado Rockies
43 Minnesota Twins
44 Miami Marlins
45 Boston Red Sox
46 Kansas City Royals
47 Toronto Blue Jays
48 New York Mets
49 Seattle Mariners
50 San Diego Padres
51 Pittsburgh Pirates
52 Arizona Diamondbacks
53 Philadelphia Phillies
54 Milwaukee Brewers
55 Chicago White Sox
56 Los Angeles Dodgers
57 St. Louis Cardinals
58 Detroit Tigers
59 Los Angeles Angels
60 Tampa Bay Rays
61 Baltimore Orioles
62 Texas Rangers
63 Oakland Athletics
64 San Francisco Giants
65 Atlanta Braves
66 New York Yankees
67 Cincinnati Reds
68 Washington Nationals

Competitive Balance Round B

69 San Diego Padres
70 Colorado Rockies
71 Oakland A's
72 Milwaukee Brewers
73 Miami Marlins (from the Tigers)

Round 3

74 Houston Astros
75 Chicago Cubs
76 New York Mets (unsigned Teddy Stankiewicz)
77 Colorado Rockies
78 Minnesota Twins
79 Cleveland Indians
80 Miami Marlins
81 Boston Red Sox
82 Kansas City Royals
83 Toronto Blue Jays
84 New York Mets
85 Seattle Mariners
86 San Diego Padres
87 Pittsburgh Pirates
88 Arizona Diamondbacks
89 Philadelphia Phillies
90 Milwaukee Brewers
91 Chicago White Sox
92 Los Angeles Dodgers
93 St. Louis Cardinals
94 Detroit Tigers
95 Philladelphia Phillies (unsigned Alec Rash)
96 Los Angeles Angels
97 Tampa Bay Rays
98 Baltimore Orioles
99 Texas Rangers
100 Oakland Athletics
101 San Francisco Giants
102 Atlanta Braves
103 New York Yankees
104 Cincinnati Reds
105 Washington Nationals

Comp Round B

106 Oakland A's (unsigned Kyle Twomey)

Rounds 4 and beyond

107 Houston Astros
108 Chicago Cubs
109 Colorado Rockies
110 Minnesota Twins
111 Cleveland Indians
112 Miami Marlins
113 Boston Red Sox
114 Kansas City Royals
115 Toronto Blue Jays
116 New York Mets
117 Seattle Mariners
118 San Diego Padres
119 Pittsburgh Pirates
120 Arizona Diamondbacks
121 Philadelphia Phillies
122 Milwaukee Brewers
123 Chicago White Sox
124 Los Angeles Dodgers
125 St. Louis Cardinals
126 Detroit Tigers
127 Los Angeles Angels
128 Tampa Bay Rays
129 Baltimore Orioles
130 Texas Rangers
131 Oakland Athletics
132 San Francisco Giants
133 Atlanta Braves
134 New York Yankees
135 Cincinnati Reds
136 Washington Nationals

New York Yankees Will Be Set Up for Great 2013 Draft After Free Agency

By Mike Rosenbaum (MLB Prospects Lead Writer) on November 12, 2012

In addition to the implementation of a bonus pool for the amateur draft, accelerated signing date and international spending restrictions, Major League Baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement also ushered in several new policies regarding free agency.

In previous years, free agents were classified into three categories by the Elias Sports Bureau: Type A, Type B and unrestricted. Teams were then required to offer their Type A and B free agents arbitration in order to receive compensation via the draft from the team signing their player.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, such designations are non-existent as teams seeking draft-pick compensation must now offer their respective free agent a qualifying offer (the average salary of the 125 highest-paid players or $13.3 million). Teams who extend such an offer will receive a compensatory draft pick in the supplemental first round.

Over the course of last week, eight players received qualifying offers from their teams, according to MLB Trade Rumors: Nick Swisher (Yankees), Hiroki Kuroda (Yankees), Rafael Soriano (Yankees), B.J. Upton (Rays), Adam LaRoche (Nationals), Michael Bourn (Braves), Josh Hamilton (Rangers) and Kyle Lohse (Cardinals).

As one can infer from aforementioned group of players, the Yankees have the most to gain in the 2013 draft due to their decision to offer qualifying offers to Swisher, Kuroda and Soriano. According Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, it seems as though they will pursue the re-signing of Kuroda, in which case the team would receive two compensatory draft picks rather than three.

Still, considering each of the eight teams that extended qualifying offers finished the 2012 season in the top 10 (by record), the Yankees will surely benefit from two additional supplemental first-round picks. Therefore, it seems as though the organization will have a late first-round pick and (at least) two more shortly thereafter in the compensatory round.

Given the Yankees' inability to thoroughly and successfully develop prospects in recent years, especially pitching prospects, three early picks should provide a much-needed opportunity to bolster their farm system.

Jen-Ho Tseng

SITS AT #12 ON THE FREE AGENT LIST ABOVE

Taiwanese rookie Jen-Ho Tseng has stated that he is looking to sign with an MLB club before he graduates high school. Is the 18-year-old worth dipping into the Mets' 2012-2013 international free agent signing bonus pool?

Jen-Ho Tseng, born October 3, 1994 in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

is a right-handed pitcher who is a member of the Chinese Taipei National Baseball Team and on the Chinese Taipei World Baseball Classic roster.

Despite the fact that he's just 18 years old and has never technically played professionally in his native Taiwan, Tseng is interested in signing with an MLB team. According to the Taiwanese newspaper Apple Daily, he wants to sign with an MLB team before he graduates from high school in June so he can directly transition from his academic pursuits to pitching full time. Tseng has not said what he will do if no MLB team extends a contract, but if he is ignored, he will presumably play ball for the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL)

Tseng stands tall at 6’1" and weighs an even 200 pounds. The right-hander employs a wide assortment of pitches, including a slider, sinker, change-up and knuckle curve. His fastball sits in the low 90s and tops out in the mid 90s. As of 2012, his fastest fastball was clocked at 95 mph. As he ages, theoretically, he might add a little bit more zip to the pitch. At the same time, however, at 200 pounds, there is the chance that he does not fill out any more and the pitch speed remains the same.

Looking at his off-speed offerings, it's likely that a MLB/MiLB pitching coach would have Tseng remove certain pitches from his regular arsenal to focus on others and better fit certain pitching archetypes: the fastball/change-up combo, the focus on the sinker and getting groundball outs, or scrapping the slider in favor of the curve, or vice-versa.

Tseng throws from a ¾ delivery, and as is standard in Asia, he employs a stop in his delivery. He also reminds me a great deal of Steve Traschel, not because of anything he throws or how he throws his pitches, but because he pitches very slowly. In videos I've watched, it seems that a minimum of ten seconds pass between when he gets the ball back from his catcher and when the ball leaves his hand in his delivery.

Another observation on his pitching motion is that he has no real stride. Having watched my fair share of Mets broadcasts, I’ve heard Tom Seaver interviewed, and anyone who has should know of his love for the "drop-and-drive." Tseng plants his lead foot seemingly only a few inches from the rubber and doesn't particularly bend his knee or get low, bestowing additional strength from his leg/trunk into his pitches.

Because of his age, there is very little professional pitching data out there on Tseng. In 2012, he took part in the 2012 World Junior Championship, an international competition for amateur players under 18. He made three starts and appeared in six games in total. In them, he went 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA, 22 strikeouts, 2 walks, and 12 hits in 21.1 innings. His 22 strikeouts were second most in the competition; he trailed only Shintaro Fujinami, the second-overall 2012 NPB draftee behind Shohei Otani.

Tseng also made appearances with the Chinese Taipei National Baseball Team during the 2012 Asian Baseball Championship — one start, six shutout innings — and during the 2013 World Baseball Classic qualifiers — one inning, one walk, two strikeouts. In both competitions, he was the youngest player in the game and the only high school student.

DOMINICAN 3B RAFAEL DEVERS SITS AT #13 BEHIND JEN-HO TSENG ON THE ABOVE LIST

Background

Devers is a 6’0, 195-pound Dominican third baseman that hits lefty and throws right handed. He is from Samana, a rural area on the east side of the island that isn’t especially known for producing players. I was told before the events I attended on the island in January that he was the best hitter in this class and I got a chance to confirm this at the Perfect Game World Showcase in early January in Fort Myers. Devers faced mostly high school seniors and acquitted himself well, making hard contact and pushing one at bat I saw to 13 pitches against professional level velocity. Devers has an October 24, 1996 birthday, making him roughly an average age amongst this year’s class.

Offense

Devers is a confident left-handed bat most notable for his exaggerated leg kick as a timing mechanism. Most trainers wouldn’t teach that to prospects as it’s a turn off for teams when raw hitters still developing have higher maintenance swings but Devers is much closer to a finished product at the plate than any of his peers. He loads his hands in a good place to create power and bat speed without sacrificing contact. Devers has a wide base and loose handsy swing, showing bat control in game situations. He also normally keeps his finish lower to allow his bat path to stay in the zone longer. Whoever signs him will likely tone down the leg kick but not eliminate it as it’s part of a successful rhythm swing.

Devers power is fringy right now but he can hit the ball with authority to all fields and his power already shows up in game situations. This type of power ages well and while he doesn’t have physical projection, Devers is young enough that he’ll add some good weight and drop some bad weight. Higher contact, all-fields power that comes at a young age can play up in gam situations so average or even above average power can be expected, which translates to 15-20 bombs annually.

Speed

Devers ran a 7.08 in the 60 yard in the Dominican and a 7.00 at PG world, both in the average to slightly below range. Speed isn’t a big part of Devers game and he’s already pretty maxed-out physically. It isn’t uncommon for players like this to slim up and gain a step as they age, but Devers speed, while a 45 on the 20-80 scale now, should never be more than 50 and will likely settle in at maturity at 40 or 45.

Defense

Devers has a solid-average arm that’s fine for third and his feet are quicker rather than fast, allowing him to play the hot corner with below average timed speed. He’s got solid instincts and will need to work to keep flexible and lean enough to play third but has a good chance to figure that out.

Outlook

Devers is a little different than most top July 2nd prospects in that he lacks projection and has now hitting ability. It isn’t a surprise that some teams would gravitate to this profile and it sounds like the Red Sox have jumped to the front of this line with rumors that they’re hot on Devers trail for a seven figure bonus other teams are unlikely to top. I had pegged Devers for a high six figure bonus, possibly as much as $1 million and anything $1.5 million or lower would be in the reasonable realm for Devers.

Devers upside is as a solid everyday third baseman and there’s risk with most of his value coming from the bat as a 15 year old but lower than most given his present ability. .275+ batting average with 15-20 homers and average defense is what the team that signs him will be counting on

Baseball has multiple avenues for bringing in new talent. While the most significant is the amateur entry draft, there are also international systems in place. In the draft, seniors in high school can be selected and signed, but on the international level, players can be brought in much earlier. If they're 16 years old by July 2 through August 31, they're eligible for signing on that day.

Ranking the 10 Best International Prospects Heading into 2013

By Mike Rosenbaum (MLB Prospects Lead Writer) on November 13, 2012
Even though there has been a flurry of international signings in recent weeks, it’s slim pickings for those organizations with the remaining salary cap space. With the defined commencement of the international signing period this past summer (July 2), almost all of the top eligible prospects were signed within a matter of days. Players such as SS/CF Franklin Barreto (Blue Jays), C Luis Torrens (Yankees), OF Gustavo Cabrera (Giants), LHP Jose Castillo (Rays), SS Amed Rosario (Mets) and SS Amaurys Minier (Twins) each received at least a $1.3 million signing bonus.

While the 2013 crop of international prospects lacks the overall talent of the 2012 class, there are numerous players that possess a high ceiling relative to their age (either 15 or 16 years old) and position.

Although we’re only a few months removed from July’s rash of signings, it’s never too early to look ahead at next year’s free-agent class. So, here’s a preliminary ranking of the top international prospects headed into the offseason.
10. 1B Leury Vargas, Dominican Republic

DOB: 8/30/1996
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 210
Bats/Throws: L/R
Origin: Haina, D.R.

6’3”, 210-pounder is a physically developed 16-year-old who is already pegged as a first-base-only prospect; will continue to lose speed and athleticism as he develops and adds strength; plus bat speed and raw power that can be compromised by up-the-middle approach; power should develop with considerable experience and implementation of loftier bat path.
9. C Yoel Gonzalez, Dominican Republic

DOB: 8/1/1996
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 175
Bats/Throws: R/R
Origin: San Cristobal, DR

Some tools stand out more than others, but has highly projectable frame and athleticism at 6’1”, 175 pounds. Agile and aggressive receiver and blocker behind the plate; registers sub-2.0-second pop times; potential above-average defensive catcher; struggles to drive through the baseball and generate power, but amount of contact is encouraging; needs to add strength.
8. 3B Joaquin De La Cruz, Dominican Republic

DOB: 10/13/1995
Height/Weight: 6’3”, 170
Bats/Throws: R/R
Origin: San Pedro de Macorís, DR

Brother Julio signed with Pirates in July for $700,000; has a taller and lankier frame than his brother; straight-line speed isn’t impressive, but is an instinctual outfielder with long strides that lend to above-average range; showcases impressive raw bat speed from right side of the plate; exaggerated pre-swing load ruins timing and mechanics, and will need to be simplified; overall approach is poor and in need of significant refinement.
7. LHP Bienvenido Morales, Dominican Republic

DOB: 6/26/1996
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 170
Bats/Throws: L/L
Origin: Cibao, DR

6’2”, 170-pound left-hander has wiry build with highly deceptive mechanics; shows quick arm from three-quarters arm slot that’s incredibly difficult to pick up; not ideal mechanics but is able to bring it in upper-80s; flashes a slider, curveball and changeup, none of which are particularly advanced or projectable; changeup could be average offering.
6. OF/1B Luis Barrera, Dominican Republic

DOB: 11/15/1995
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 185
Bats/Throws: L/L
Origin: Tamboril, DR

Strong left-handed hitter at 6’1”, 185 pounds who should add strength; can flat-out hit anything thrown around the plate, but his swing isn’t exactly a picture-perfect lefty swing; always finds a way to barrel the baseball; will remain in outfield for as long as possible as a slightly below-average runner with a strong but inaccurate arm.
5. C Rene Melendez, Puerto Rico

Height/Weight: 6’1”, 190
Bats/Throws: S/R
Origin: Caguas Military & Sport Academy (Humacao, PR)

Raw overall prospect who seems capable of adding strength in a hurry; athletic catcher who moves well in all directions and is above-average blocker; catch-and-throw skills and solid arm strength have produced sub-1.9-second pop times; footwork can be choppy and out-of-sync with upper-half; line-drive-oriented swing but tends to cast his hands around baseball; bat will probably always lag behind defense.
4. LHP Kelyn Jose, Dominican Republic

DOB: 5/19/1995
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 185
Bats/Throws: L/L
Origin: Nagua, DR

Upside is obvious, but lack of mound experience scared off scouts last July; pop-up prospect who shot up international draft boards; tall left-hander works on downward plane with low- to mid-90s fastball; loose, fluid arm action gives him a chance to add more velocity; mechanics will be work-in-progress but got to love the size, handedness and live arm; curveball and changeup are raw, as expected, but he'll get it quickly with proper coaching.
3. C/SS Tyler O'Neill, Canada (British Columbia

DOB: 6/22/1995
Height/Weight: 6’0", 200
Bats/Throws: R/R
Origin: Maple Ridge, British Columbia (Canada)

Has loads of athleticism and a highly projectable frame; present strength caters to plus bat speed from right side of plate; showcases advanced approach for his age; will likely develop average to above-average hit and power tool; above-average speed and arm strength, as well as high baseball IQ, led to move from catcher to shortstop; will probably return to original position once drafted; high-energy player with solid makeup.
2. SS Luis Castro, Venezuela

Height/Weight: 6’1”, 190
Bats/Throws: R/R
Origin: Venezuela

Was signed by Blue Jays for $800,000 in July, but contract was voided after Castro failed a physical; 6’1”, 190-pounder possesses solid-average speed at shortstop, but sound instincts make it less noticeable; has the smooth actions, sound glove and arm to stick at position; lack of range could prompt move to a variety of positions; will make his money with potential for above-average hit tool and surprising power; has an advanced feel for the strike zone relative to age; short, compact swing has resulted in hard contact to all fields.
1. SS Jan Hernandez, Puerto Rico

Height/Weight: 6’3”, 190
Bats/Throws: R/R
Origin: Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy (San Lorenzo, PR)

6’3”, 190-pound shortstop has drool-worthy frame with matching athleticism; impressive athlete in all facets of the game; under-control, natural defensive actions; slightly above-average speed and range, plus arm gives him chance to stick at shortstop; right-handed hitter has projectable swing with plenty of raw bat speed; loose wrists and explosive weight transfer could result in above-average power in a few years.

Two top Cuban prospects near MLB free agency

By Jesse Sanchez / MLB.com | 11/27/12 6:40 PM ET

Two top Cuban prospects, shortstop Aledmys Diaz and outfielder Dariel Alvarez, are expected to be declared free agents soon and could enter the market as early as next week, according to an industry source.
Diaz, 22, a right-handed-hitting shortstop from Villa Clara, defected from the Cuban National team last summer during a tournament in the Netherlands and has been training in Mexico City. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Diaz and Alvarez, 24, have established residency in Mexico -- the first step to becoming a free agent -- and both have submitted their paperwork to the Commissioner's Office, the source said.

Diaz plans to train with the professional team in Mexicali, Mexico, and take part in a series of showcases that could start next week. Several teams have already expressed interest in the infielder, but will likely have to wait until early next year to sign him.

Cuban players that are at least 23 years old and have played at least three seasons in a Cuban professional league are not subject to the new international signing guidelines established by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Diaz, who made his professional debut in 2007 for Villa Clara in Serie Nacional, the country's top league, will turn 23 on Jan. 8 and is not expected to sign before his birthday.

Known for his ability to hit for power and average, Diaz is considered an average runner with an above-average arm. He is closer to Major League-ready of the two prospects.
Alvarez, a right-handed hitter who played for Camaguey in Serie Nacional, defected from Cuba last summer and has been playing professionally in Vera Cruz, Mexico, since October. The 6-foot-2, 190 pound Alvarez can play all three outfield positions and has impressed Major League scouts with his above-average arm during league-play in Mexico.

It's already been a banner year for Cuban prospects. Last season's class was highlighted by outfielders Yasiel Puig, who signed a seven-year, $42 million deal with the Dodgers last summer, and Yoenis Cespedes, who signed a four-year, $36 million deal with the A's in February. Outfielder Jorge Soler also signed a nine-year, $30 million deal with the Cubs in June.

Other notable signings include left-handed pitcher Omar Luis Rodriguez, who signed a Minor League deal worth $4 million with the Yankees, and lefty Gerardo Concepcion, who signed a five-year, $6 million deal with the Cubs.

It's too early to tell if Diaz and Alvarez will command contracts similar to Cespedes, who was Major League ready when he signed, or Puig, who impressed scouts with his size and five-tool potential before signing with the Dodgers.

Micker Adolfo Zapata, OF, 6'3" 225lbs, R/R, Dominican Republic

Trainer: Abel Guerra

Age: 16.9 years

Considered one of the elite prospects available for July 2, Zapata's calling card is his massive power potential which rates as a 70 on a scouting scale. With his quick loose swing, he consistently puts on BP displays that leave scouts and onlookers alike in awe as he he hits bomb after bomb. Despite a mature well-developed build, with a thick lower half, Zapata is a solid runner (6.80) with the arm strength (60 rating) for an outfielder corner. Like most players his age Zapata looks raw at the plate and can be impatient at times. At present he has trouble with the pitch away, and tends to lose his lower half on off speed pitches, but all the physical tools are there to be a major offensive player. Zapata doesn't play for either the DPL or the IPL and speaks fluent English as he was born in the Virgin Islands. Reports suggest Zapata may already have been offered 1mm by the Phillies with Seattle, Minnesota, and Cleveland also showing interest in the young slugger. Sources say his trainer is looking for a bonus in the range of 1.3mm.

At number 5, the Indians have a great shot at getting their power man at the corners (infield or outfield). Along with Zapata, I like Molina, Encarnacion, Tseng (pitcher - posted above), and possibly Devers (also posted above).

6) Leonardo Molina, OF, 6'3" 165lbs, R/R, Dominican Republic

Trainer: Decarte

Age: 15.11 years

A potential five-tool player player who currently plays center field, Molina is an explosive athlete with a very high ceiling. One of the youngest prospects in the class, he boasts blazing speed for a player his size having been timed running the 60-yard dash in 6.49 seconds. His smooth effortless gait and strong throwing arm make it easy to project him as a future above average to plus defensive center-fielder. At the plate Molina has a nice loose swing and strong quick hands. A linedrive hitter right now, he projects to get much stronger with the potential to hit for plus power down the road. Like most players his age Molina is a little raw at the plate, and his swing can sometimes get out of control, leading to some swing-and-miss issues. Despite that, there's a whole lot to like in this present package of tools, and it will likely garner him one of the top 10 bonuses come July 2nd.

8) Luis Encarnacion, 3B, 6'2" 185lbs, R/R, Dominican Republic

Trainer: Juan Herrera

Age: 15.10 years

A third baseman with a big strong athletic build, Encarnacion has the look of a future middle-of-the-order hitter and run producer. Physically imposing in the batter's box he uses simple swing mechanics, and a slight leg lift to generate plus raw power. The ball simply explodes off his bat with natural lift. Encarnacion hit one of the deepest homeruns during the MLB International Showcase. More than just a batting practice monster, Encarnacion was one of the few top prospects to perform well during games at the MLB showcase going 4-7 with a double. His barrel awareness and ability to consistently square up pitches suggest that he will not just be an all-or-nothing slugger, but a good all-around hitter. Recorded a very respectable 60 time(7.02) for a corner infielder, but not a smooth runner at all. Arm looks to be about average but accurate and online for the most part. Has the tools and bat to profile at third but is not a certainty to stick there long term. Okay moving left to right on grounders but range is only average. Reactions and hands need to improve as he seems to have difficulty with balls hit directly at him. Bat should be enough to play at first base if a position shift becomes necessary though. The Phillies are believed to have the most interest, offering as much as 1mm according to a recent report out of the Dominican.