The Astros have signed four international free agents on this, the first day of the signing period. Those four players are:
16-year old Dominican SS/OF Osvaldo Duarte
SS/C Jonathan Matute
Matute, from Venezuela, is 16 years old, 5'11" and 180 pounds. Baseball America says he has quick hands and gap power. The Astros signed him for $245,000
16-year old SS Joan Mauricio
Oz Ocampo said that Mauricio was "one of the top 10 players in this year’s class – a true shortstop with
projection and offensive upside." He's 6'1" and 140 pounds, so someone get that kid a glass of milk. BA says:
Once he gets bigger and stronger, he has a chance to take a step forward and see his tools improve.
The Astros signed Mauricio for $600,000.
16-year old lefty CF Nestor Tejada
Tejada trained at Carlos Guillen's academy and has "above average" speed. While Oz Ocampo says that his strength is in the batter's box.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
