International Market (January 2024)

[Joseph Zarr]

Ok. It would appear the 2024 class wraps up at a whopping 35 players (!!). Yowza. According to Curt Hogg HERE (fun read - highly recommend):

Brewers 2024 international signing class

Here is the entirety of the Brewers' 35-man signing class.

Position players

• Jose Anderson, CF, Dominican Republic
• Luis Corobo, C, Venezuela
• Yohandy Cruz, SS, Dominican Republic
• Carlos Doñe, OF, Dominican Republic
• Handellfry Encarnacion, OF, Dominican Republic
• Kevin Garcia, C, Venezuela
• Jeremy George, OF, Panama
• Angel Gonzalez, CF, Costa Rica
• Frandy Lafond, CF, Dominican Republic
• Yoneiker Lugo, C, Venezuela
• Juan Martinez, SS, Venezuela
• Jesus Made, SS, Dominican Republic
• Frederi Montero, SS, Dominican Republic
• Juan Ortuno, IF, Venezuela
• Engel Paulino, OF, Dominican Republic
• Luis Peña, SS, Dominican Republic
• Joandrew Peña, 3B, Venezuela
• Moises Polanco, SS, Venezuela
• Kobe Rangel, SS, Venezuela
• Jhoanjel Saez, IF, Dominican Republic

Pitchers

• Dalvin Bodre, RHP, Dominican Republic
• Ayendy Bravo, RHP, Dominican Republic
• Daiyiro Candelo, RHP, Venezuela
• Lonell Downs, RHP, Nicaragua
• Victor Emiliano Garcia, LHP, Mexico
• Lukas Gonzalez, RHP, Panama
• Paul Hoff, RHP, Germany
• Dariel Jaquez, RHP, Dominican Republic
• Wenderlyn King, RHP, Dominican Republic
• Enderson Mercado, LHP, Venezuela
• Manuel Moreno, RHP, Panama
• Christopher Peralta, RHP, Dominican Republic
• Jean Carlos Rodriguez, RHP, Dominican Republic
• Josue Toledo, RHP, Nicaragua

( @Mass Haas: this also answers our King and Toledo transaction chin scratches)

[nate82]

There has to be some releases or the Brewers have been given an advance notice that they can have two teams in the rookie league this year.

If the Brewers are not able to get a second rookie league team this is going to be a rather large roster crunch.

[Joseph Zarr]

A really poignant reminder of the depth of investment the Brewers organization has made into the International scene since 2016.

The new Brewers Latin American Academy officially opens Thursday!

 

[Jim Goulart]

Photos of previously-named Venezuelan catcher Yoneiker Lugo (disregard other player)

 

[Jim Goulart]

Per Baseball America's tracker, 13 players were signed out of Panama. The Brewers led the way (along with the Pirates) with three each. If you speak Spanish:

 

[LouisEly]

22 hours ago, CheeseheadInQC said:

14 pitchers doesn't surprise me (I think it was 13 last year). 21 position players does. Last year they had 34 players get at bats between the two teams. Even with a moderately aggressive promotion schedule (the obvious ones, Ereu because of his bonus, and a few guys like Tyler Rodriguez and Danny Puerta), I've got 39 position players right now in the DSL. Obviously there could be a few more cuts coming before DSL play starts.

It is going to be tough for some of the guys repeating.

According to the article from McCalvy that was linked in @Joseph Zarr's post, the new facility can house over 100 people.  It  has four fields so they can have a formal game w/another team on one field and other players working on fundamentals/simulated games on other fields allowing for a larger roster and more development time.  They can keep more people there for an extra year to see if they can develop before having to make a decision on Arizona or bust.

[Joseph Zarr]

4 hours ago, LouisEly said:

According to the article from McCalvy that was linked in @Joseph Zarr's post, the new facility can house over 100 people.  It  has four fields so they can have a formal game w/another team on one field and other players working on fundamentals/simulated games on other fields allowing for a larger roster and more development time.  They can keep more people there for an extra year to see if they can develop before having to make a decision on Arizona or bust.

I particularly enjoyed the passage about the land dispute and the COVID delay and ensuing 30-35% price hike in materials. Having dealt with land purchase acquisition in South America previously, I can avow: it is absolutely cumbersome and difficult to acquire and complete purchase South of the border. Nowhere near like it is in the States. AND, then a 30-35% price hike in basic materials. THIS is the type of thing the casual fan just doesn't consider when they bash Brewers ownership. I'm so tired of that tired trope they are a cheap outfit. The Brewers are a fantastic organization finding ways to succeed with keen strategic maneuverings within a significantly smaller market share. They give small markets a very very good name!

[Jim Goulart]

Original, translated below, two photos at the link:

Costa Rican-trained baseball player signs with the Milwaukee Brewers 
The Venezuelan-born player, who has lived in the country for six years, is taking his first step in a Major League Baseball 
By ADRIÁN FALLAS 

Angel Gonzalez, who was born in Venezuela but trained as an outfielder in Costa Rica, signed with the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball to continue his path in the U.S. team's minor leagues.

In the country, he entered the process of the La Sabana Baseball Sports Academy and stood out there, in addition to being named the most valuable player in the 2022-2023 National Games with CCDR San José.

"A dream that I have had since I was a child, I have always liked baseball, I thank everyone who has supported me in this process and now it is my turn to prove," explained the young player.

In this way, Gonzalez takes another step in his dream of being a Major League player.

In the first instance, he will have to travel to the Dominican Republic, where he will report to the Brewers to play in the Summer League, where if he manages to shine, he could be called up to be part of the team's minor leagues in the United States.

While it is true, it has many challenges ahead of it, this does not intimidate the player.

"I still remember with great enthusiasm when I was in the house, the scout called on the phone, my dad answered, they presented him with the offer and he accepted, it was really one of the most important moments of my life," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez hopes that soon the process to obtain Costa Rican nationality and be able to represent the country in WBSC tournaments and the Olympic cycle can be completed.

"I tell all players to fight for their dreams, but you have to train, be disciplined, improve, it's not something that happens overnight, you also have to sacrifice," he concluded.

[Jim Goulart]

Photos of the two Nicaraguan signings, Lonell Downs and Josue Toledo, both RHP's:

 

[Jim Goulart]

Translated as:

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed German 17-year-old RHP Paul Hoff. He receives a minor league contract with the Major League Baseball organization. Hoff most recently played for the Hamburg Stealers but took his first steps with the Dohren Wild Farmers. The pitcher went through all stages of the German baseball academy and the various youth national teams in Germany. Most recently, he got his finishing touches at the RuizBull Baseball Academy in the Dominican Republic. Yannic Walther, another German player, is currently playing for the Brewers. Infielder Michael Franke (2001-2002) and C/1B Simon Gühring (2002-2003) were also under contract with the Brewers and played for the organization in the minor leagues (neither advanced beyond the Maryvale level).

 

[biedergb]

10 hours ago, Joseph Zarr said:

I particularly enjoyed the passage about the land dispute and the COVID delay and ensuing 30-35% price hike in materials. Having dealt with land purchase acquisition in South America previously, I can avow: it is absolutely cumbersome and difficult to acquire and complete purchase South of the border. Nowhere near like it is in the States. AND, then a 30-35% price hike in basic materials. THIS is the type of thing the casual fan just doesn't consider when they bash Brewers ownership. I'm so tired of that tired trope they are a cheap outfit. The Brewers are a fantastic organization finding ways to succeed with keen strategic maneuverings within a significantly smaller market share. They give small markets a very very good name!

I agree that the ownership has invested into the team and yes the casual fan won't see this, only the fact we won't pay Hader or Burnes, and can't sign Hoskins etc.

And I absolutely agree, that this is the type of things the small market team NEEDS to do to stay competitive. Draft well, invest into international signings, and develop the young talent. That will make millions in return on investment by keeping the costs associated with fielding a better team down.

But, in the short term view while they did spend in 2018-2019 (and spend big by historical standards), the big league team has plateaued in terms of MLB player investment, while the big spenders have just lapped the small market teams. That is not Mark A to fix, but they do get a lot more money from revenue sharing and if the team is truly competitive in the next year or two with a young cheaper core, they will absolutely have to put some of that money into FA signings or re-signing their own talent.

[nate82]

On 1/16/2024 at 11:28 AM, Joseph Zarr said:

A really poignant reminder of the depth of investment the Brewers organization has made into the International scene since 2016.

The new Brewers Latin American Academy officially opens Thursday!

 

Unless I missed an announcement in that article it also states Gord Ash is retiring, when was this announced?  Or am I just getting old and forgot about this?

[Jim Goulart]

Some bonus figures via Joe Trezza of MLB.com:

Jorge Quintana, SS, Venezuela: $1.7 million
Jesús Made, SS, Dominican Republic: $950,000
Luis Peña, SS, D.R.: $800,000
Joandrew Peña, SS, Venezuela: $500,000
Handelfry Encarnacion, CF, D.R.: $400,000
Frederi Montero, SS, D.R: $300,000
Jeremy George, CF, Panamá: $170,000
Angel Paulino, CF, D.R.: $170,000
Carlos Done, CF, D.R.: $150,000
Juan Martinez, SS, Venezuela: $125,000

[Playing Catch]

On 1/17/2024 at 10:05 AM, biedergb said:

they will absolutely have to put some of that money into FA signings or re-signing their own talent.

OR... trade from their tremendous prospect-depth for no additional cost.

[Fire Manfred]

On 1/19/2024 at 10:37 AM, Mass Haas said:

Some bonus figures via Joe Trezza of MLB.com:

Jorge Quintana, SS, Venezuela: $1.7 million
Jesús Made, SS, Dominican Republic: $950,000
Luis Peña, SS, D.R.: $800,000
Joandrew Peña, SS, Venezuela: $500,000
Handelfry Encarnacion, CF, D.R.: $400,000
Frederi Montero, SS, D.R: $300,000
Jeremy George, CF, Panamá: $170,000
Angel Paulino, CF, D.R.: $170,000
Carlos Done, CF, D.R.: $150,000
Juan Martinez, SS, Venezuela: $125,000

It sure would have been nice to get all the bonuses give the strong starts from Jose Anderson and Wenderlyn King.