International Free Agent Market (January 2025)

[Spencer Michaelis]

On 9/30/2024 at 4:57 PM, Spencer Michaelis said:

Since names are starting to come out via the Pipeline rankings, I'll share some other names I was able to dig up beyond the three we know. I believe they are all 2025's, but I found some 2026 names too. I'll keep searching, but this is what I've found so far.

Alexander Frias -- has a lot of videos on his TikTok including some fun bat flips and some nukes from the left side.

Manny De Los Santos -- (not entirely sure if he's class of 2025, but believe he is) also has video of some nice LH swings on his TikTok

Salomón Millán - Catcher who has some video on his Instagram, has the "El Craken" nickname that Gary Sanchez was given early on.

Francis Sosa -- RHH has some video on his TikTok

Sharlinson de la Rosa -- RHH who seems to have some pop. Has some video on his IG Highlights and his TikTok

Isais Chavez -- Has some video of his swings on TikTok, not sure what position he plays, but looks catcher-ish.

Yeuri Ramirez -- RHP, appears to like messing with timing, and show a lot of emotion on the mound, also appears to throw a pretty good combo of two breaking ball shapes and looks like he has some decent velo in the tank as well. Video on his TikTok

Diustin Mayorquin -- RHP out of Nicaragua (pipeline continues), fastball has already been up to 92 from what I could gather. Looks to throw a slider as his main secondary. Decent amount of video on his TikTok.

On 10/11/2024 at 2:16 PM, Spencer Michaelis said:

Adding some more that I've found...

Nicolas Barrios -- Appears to be related to Gregory Barrios (traded to TB in the Civale deal), his IG shows he's a left hitter, but no video that I can find. Unsure if he's goin to be signing this year or next.

Diego Frontado -- RHH infielder, found some Facebook video from this year, and some older video on YouTube

Gerlyn Payano -- LHH OF, part of RVH Academy has some old video on IG

Alejandro Guerrero -- RHH IF, also training with RVH, with some video from 2023 on IG

Leonard Rijo -- RHH, seemed to be a class of 24 guy, but appears he will be in this upcoming class? Hard to tell, but he seemingly didn't sign in last years class. Has some swings in his IG Highlights and the swing looks pretty nice.

More I've come across that I believe are signing in this upcoming class:

Romano Donato -- No video available, right handed hitter with a lot of room to add physicality based on his IG Highlights

Frankller Mayora -- LHH middle infielder. Some video of a quick lefty swing within his IG Highlights.

Raymon Sarmiento -- RHP without his own IG, but Bobby Abreu's Baseball Academy has some video.

Sebastian Franeites -- C with a loud operation in the swing it seems, but quick hands. Same as Sarmiento, there's some video from Bobby Abreu's Baseball Academy. (If you search through that page enough, you'll find some future non-2025 Brewers signings as well)

Merwin Manrique --RHP with some video courtesy of GPA Baseball Academy's IG

Johanderson Tarazona -- C who appears to have a good arm, hard to find information on him, but confirmed signing with the Brewers by Future Stars Baseball Academy's IG

 

[markedman5]

Always the concern with international kids

 

[snoogans8056]

The Padres agreeing to a $4mil deal with a 14 year old is just as insane as the 14 year old being 19.

[wallus]

[markedman5]

On 11/2/2024 at 9:49 PM, snoogans8056 said:

The Padres agreeing to a $4mil deal with a 14 year old is just as insane as the 14 year old being 19.

Well he probably looked like present day Chourio ……only they were thinking they were getting him at 14 lol

Might give you pause right there……..something not adding up…..🤷‍♂️

[jesusoftheapes]

On 9/23/2024 at 9:52 PM, sveumrules said:

There are only three pitchers on the MLB Top 50 for 2025 at #38, 39 and 45.

Looking at their 2024 Top 50 there were just two at #25 and 35.

2023 had Luis Morales at #5 but he was a 22 year old Cuban, then 20yo Jun-Seok Shim who skipped the KBO draft at #10, Janero Miller was #16 as a two way player, then there were four pitchers at #36, 41, 42 and 49.

2022 had two pitchers at #31 and 37.

Top ranked international pitching prospects just aren’t really a thing.

Perfecto ! 

[jesusoftheapes]

The Brewers will need pitching help .  Probably not from the international marketplace as there really is nothing worth getting that won't cost Dodger money to pull off.    

The Crew is really counting on Hall and Misiorowski to be real and dominate starters who can do more than an inning a game. 

 

Yoho is coming and there is 0 need for our #20 prospect (***) not to be on the roster day one inn 2025.  The guy has all MLB level pitches already and never throws balls.   The guy is so much better than #20 .    

 I really am just pumped about the prospects on this team coming up as much as who they may acquire.    The answer to Willy Adames is not in Free Agency . Cooper Pratt is the Shortstop who was promised and watch his hype video Crew.  That guy is not going to suck.   Jesus Made is hype.  Cooper Pratt is the next great Shortstop and that means no resigning Willy unless we move him to 3rd and pay him less than anyone. I love Willy Adames and think this team gets much worse without the guy but signing him with Pratt in the wings is a mistake.  Willy will never have a season as good as 2024 again in his career.   He has peaked and his defense is *******.   2025 may be a season like 2023 .  Aa group of guys who win but have very little to offer as a threat in truth.   The prospects are years away from the Brewers and that includes Pratt who won't be making big boy ball until 2026 or 27 despite his talent being at the top of the Rosters all the way up I believe the Crew will hold Pratt down a little longer than anyone wants to be sure he hits the Bigs with a winners chance.      

I would love to see them Chourio Pratt and just play through his growing up phase but 2024 is just to young and could set him back if called up that early so it would be best to not play with that future even if it is very tempting.    

[Joseph Zarr]

(Suspected 25 Int'l signings also included within)

[Spencer Michaelis]

On 9/30/2024 at 4:57 PM, Spencer Michaelis said:

Since names are starting to come out via the Pipeline rankings, I'll share some other names I was able to dig up beyond the three we know. I believe they are all 2025's, but I found some 2026 names too. I'll keep searching, but this is what I've found so far.

Alexander Frias -- has a lot of videos on his TikTok including some fun bat flips and some nukes from the left side.

Manny De Los Santos -- (not entirely sure if he's class of 2025, but believe he is) also has video of some nice LH swings on his TikTok

Salomón Millán - Catcher who has some video on his Instagram, has the "El Craken" nickname that Gary Sanchez was given early on.

Francis Sosa -- RHH has some video on his TikTok

Sharlinson de la Rosa -- RHH who seems to have some pop. Has some video on his IG Highlights and his TikTok

Isais Chavez -- Has some video of his swings on TikTok, not sure what position he plays, but looks catcher-ish.

Yeuri Ramirez -- RHP, appears to like messing with timing, and show a lot of emotion on the mound, also appears to throw a pretty good combo of two breaking ball shapes and looks like he has some decent velo in the tank as well. Video on his TikTok

Diustin Mayorquin -- RHP out of Nicaragua (pipeline continues), fastball has already been up to 92 from what I could gather. Looks to throw a slider as his main secondary. Decent amount of video on his TikTok.

On 10/11/2024 at 2:16 PM, Spencer Michaelis said:

Adding some more that I've found...

Nicolas Barrios -- Appears to be related to Gregory Barrios (traded to TB in the Civale deal), his IG shows he's a left hitter, but no video that I can find. Unsure if he's goin to be signing this year or next.

Diego Frontado -- RHH infielder, found some Facebook video from this year, and some older video on YouTube

Gerlyn Payano -- LHH OF, part of RVH Academy has some old video on IG

Alejandro Guerrero -- RHH IF, also training with RVH, with some video from 2023 on IG

Leonard Rijo -- RHH, seemed to be a class of 24 guy, but appears he will be in this upcoming class? Hard to tell, but he seemingly didn't sign in last years class. Has some swings in his IG Highlights and the swing looks pretty nice.

On 10/30/2024 at 4:15 PM, Spencer Michaelis said:

More I've come across that I believe are signing in this upcoming class:

Romano Donato -- No video available, right handed hitter with a lot of room to add physicality based on his IG Highlights

Frankller Mayora -- LHH middle infielder. Some video of a quick lefty swing within his IG Highlights.

Raymon Sarmiento -- RHP without his own IG, but Bobby Abreu's Baseball Academy has some video.

Sebastian Franeites -- C with a loud operation in the swing it seems, but quick hands. Same as Sarmiento, there's some video from Bobby Abreu's Baseball Academy. (If you search through that page enough, you'll find some future non-2025 Brewers signings as well)

Merwin Manrique -- RHP with some video courtesy of GPA Baseball Academy's IG

Johanderson Tarazona -- C who appears to have a good arm, hard to find information on him, but confirmed signing with the Brewers by Future Stars Baseball Academy's IG

Curt Hogg just posted an article with 20 names that the  Brewers are expected to sign on the Journal Sentinel.

A few names I had not found, and/or was not sure if they were 2025's:
- Leander Matos, infielder, Dominican Republic
- Enrique Velasquez, pitcher, Venezuela  (Here's his TikTok)
- Jefer Lista, outfielder, Venezuela
- Cristian Montilla, infielder, Venezuela 
- Erkys Rivero, outfielder, Venezuela

Some names not listed that I found (not sure if they were simply not listed by Curt because he lacked info on them, if they are not 2025 signees, or some other reason):
I am nearly certain both of the first two are 2025's.
- Raymon Sarmiento, RH Pitcher
- Sebastian Franeites, Catcher
Not as sure on these three...
- Alejandro Guerrero, Infielder
- Salomón Millán, Catcher
- Manny De Los Santos, LH Hitter (unsure on position, would guess outfield)

[Playing Catch]

So IF the Brewers were to sign Roki Sasaki, all of these guys would need to find new contracts, correct?

[snoogans8056]

32 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

So IF the Brewers were to sign Roki Sasaki, all of these guys would need to find new contracts, correct?

Yeah but there is no way we throw away all the good will we built up in the last few years.

We need to just keep our heads down and try to take advantage of the system that is in place until the big boys get wise that a little guy is getting one over on them and it gets taken away.

[Playing Catch]

23 hours ago, snoogans8056 said:

Yeah but there is no way we throw away all the good will we built up in the last few years.

We need to just keep our heads down and try to take advantage of the system that is in place until the big boys get wise that a little guy is getting one over on them and it gets taken away.

That's my thoughts as well, but... Sasaki isn't a normal situation. The Brewers don't get these kinds of opportunities very often. I'm definitely of two minds on this one.

[snoogans8056]

Our Latin talent went from being non existent to maybe our biggest strength.

How are we doing this?

Seemingly, it was very fast. But it also seems that the entire system is held together with making connections and secretly signing kids way younger than they should. That implies it was slow?

Venezuela is considered our honey hole, but the rise of Made and Pena from the Dominican last year makes it feel like our inroads there are starting to hit as well. Very exciting.

I know we don’t want to give up how the sausage is made, but I’d really like to hear someday how this whole operation came together.

[biedergb]

Yeah, any inside glimpse would be wonderful. From what I know - these relationships with players start at an early age, and some signings are dictated by 1) who they train with as the trainers/academies have relationships with certain teams 2) the relationships the scouts of the team build with local trainers or scouts 3) the ability of those scouts to see certain traits or skill sets that their organization may value including the mental and physical traits 4) finally how much money your organization has to offer.

The Brewers have been bigger spenders of top ranked players (signing 2-4 of the top 30ish ranked players), so the money for IFA they spend is a key factor. But their scouts have found gems (think AFL star Baez who was a $10k signing presumably due to his size and lack of elite speed or defense). But the relationships they have developed (presumable due to key hiring and investment in resources to do so) is a likely factor.

The Venezuelan scouting - not sure when that started - but it sounds like the classic Stearnsian "zig when other zag" approach of going to a volatile country and make inroads that maybe the Boston/LA/Chicago/NY teams were not as willing to do since they can get Asian stars and can sign the highest rated DR players.

My personal hope is that this is due to some structural system in place, as opposed to being just due to one or a few individuals.  (For example, how our pitching staff has typically been getting above average results for years even when we lost DJ as the pitching coach and then adding Hook; or how we have made some nice trades and FA pick ups with Arnold even after Stearns left; or how Murph was also able to find the right players and buttons after Counsell left). Other teams will see the Brewers recent success (2021 - current IFA signings) and will steal the individuals. As one of the key International Player Evaluation Director Luis Perez is no longer with the organization and likely stolen by another organization:

 

As BA.com's Ben Badler wrote in his Top Prospect chat

"They’re pretty fortunate that Luis Perez and Fernando Veracierto haven’t gotten plucked away from another org for an international director job given the success the Brewers have had internationally."

Ugh, Thanks, Ben, way to jinx us 😉

[Jim Goulart]

Actually, I followed up in that thread a day or two later when the Brewers posted an update that did include Luis Perez.

[Jim Goulart]

I am hopeful everyone always follows the archived media thread. Sparky and Matt Arnold spent ten minutes discussing the international signing process.

Via the "Wisconsin Sports Daily Show" with Steve "Sparky" Fifer: "Brewers GM Matt Arnold joins discusses his scouting philosophy and how he & his team scout from the young age of 13, all the way to college. Matt also talks some of the tough decisions the Brewers need to make this off season."

[biedergb]

24 minutes ago, Jim Goulart said:

Actually, I followed up in that thread a day or two later when the Brewers posted an update that did include Luis Perez.

OH great. I missed it in that thread. Thanks Mass

Good news for the Brew Crew.

 

[Joseph Zarr]

Brew Crew once again have 3 players in Baseball America's Top 50 International  Prospects Bonus Board. Will post tidbits later (feel free to beat me to it).

[ecjimg]

2 minutes ago, Joseph Zarr said:

Brew Crew once again have 3 players in Baseball America's Top 50 International  Prospects Bonus Board. Will post tidbits later (feel free to beat me to it).

Yes, but I'd rather see them linked to one or two in the top 20.  They are #30-Kenny Felelon, #38 Cristopher Acosta and #40 Brailyn Antunez.  But I trust our guys know what theyre doin! 

[snoogans8056]

On 12/2/2024 at 10:34 AM, Joseph Zarr said:

(Suspected 25 Int'l signings also included within)

Going by neck width, the kid is gonna be a star. Those arms are also crazy for a 17 year old.

[biedergb]

39 minutes ago, ecjimg said:

Yes, but I'd rather see them linked to one or two in the top 20.  They are #30-Kenny Felelon, #38 Cristopher Acosta and #40 Brailyn Antunez.

True, but we usually get a top 25, a couple of other top 50, and several other that would be 50-85, and various outlets have different rankings.

For example Jackson Chourio was MLB #16 in 2021, Yophery Rodriguez was #22 in 2023, and Jesus Made was #23 (with Jorge Quintana at #13!) in 2024. So maybe a little lower, but they may have gotten some guys who would in the 50-80 range too. Or maybe there is an international prospect who is out there who can pitch and could be had for a posting amount that could be a nice addition to the rotation ... ahem. 😉

 

But for reference here is a great blog post about the IFA signings in general that shows it is a crap shoot and the Chourios and Ethan Salas' of the world are in fact rare.

 

[Spencer Michaelis]

38 minutes ago, ecjimg said:

Yes, but I'd rather see them linked to one or two in the top 20.  They are #30-Kenny Felelon, #38 Cristopher Acosta and #40 Brailyn Antunez.  But I trust our guys know what theyre doin! 

Keep in mind, these are simply rankings based on how much they will be getting in signing bonus money. While the higher bonuses tend to be the best players, you should also keep in mind that a guy like Jesus Made received the 39th highest bonus in last year's class and Juan Baez received $10k a few years back.

FTR, I think Antunez is the one to watch as a potential star in this class. Fenelon is super talented and I think he's going to be a really solid prospect, but I think he may already be maxed out physically and will need to cut down the swing and miss. Antunez just has *the look* to him when I see video and watch him operate.

[ecjimg]

25 minutes ago, Spencer Michaelis said:

Keep in mind, these are simply rankings based on how much they will be getting in signing bonus money.

Thanks!  I breezed right by the part of the article that explained this! You are correct!  Well thats great news.......we can get Sasaki AND one of these guys  :)

[CheeseheadInQC]

6 hours ago, ecjimg said:

Yes, but I'd rather see them linked to one or two in the top 20.  They are #30-Kenny Felelon, #38 Cristopher Acosta and #40 Brailyn Antunez.  But I trust our guys know what theyre doin! 

You will sometimes get a clear-cut No. 1 who, while it is impossible to project definite major league success onto a 16-year-old who has never even played an affiliated game, at least seems destined to sail through the low minors. Your Dominguez or Salas or De Vries. Beyond that, though, it is basically just really broad tiers. Some years those tiers are even broader than normal, at least in retrospect. In the 2021 class that I wrote about, prospects 16-30 on Pipeline's list were better than Nos. 1-15, and if it weren't for Chourio, Nos. 31-50 probably would have been better than 16-30 given that is where Samuel Basallo and Moises Ballesteros probably would have fallen. 2023, on the other hand, has been much better to the higher ranked prospects.

I also wonder sometimes if listmakers are a bit hesitant to deviate too much from the level of bonus the players are receiving. Maybe it was just the selective quotes posted here, but in 2019, it seemed as if despite Luis Medina being the top-ranked and largest bonus prospect in the Brewers' class that the praise was louder for Hedbert Perez and Jeferson Quero on signing day. Same thing for Luis Lara vs. Jhonny Severino and Johan Barrios in 2022.

[jay87shot]

I would give up all those guys and the negative feelings to get Sasaki, Yomamoto cost almost $300 million. To get an ace potentially at 25 with 6 years control is worth so much especially if you consider we would likely get the cheapest 4 years of control and then trade him for like 4-6 huge prospects. I think we can still sign guys to like 10k without counting against the pool so we could keep some and maybe add a few cheap adds. In reality we really don't have to worry about Sasaki coming here unless Nori Aoki is his uncle or something.