Sources: Royals sign pair of Dominican Republic prospects
Kansas City made its presence felt on the international scene by locking up two top teenage prospects from the Dominican Republic.
According to industry sources, the Royals agreed to $2.25 million signing bonus for outfielder Seuly Matias, ranked No. 9 on MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects list, and a $1.5 million bonus for infielder Jeison Guzman, ranked No.29.
The Royals did not confirm the agreements.
In accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, each team is allotted a $700,000 base and a bonus pool with four slot values based on the team's record in 2014 for the international signing period, which started Thursday. Kansas City's overall pool total for this year's signing period is $2,074,700.
Teams that exceed the pools by zero to five percent have to pay 100 percent tax, and teams that exceed the pools by five to 10 percent are not allowed to sign a player for more than $500,000 during the next signing period, and also have to pay a 100 percent tax on the pool overage. Teams that exceed the pools by 10 to 15 percent are not allowed to sign a player for more than $300,000 during the next signing period, and have to pay a 100 percent tax on the pool overage.
In the most severe penalty, teams that exceed the pool by 15 percent or more are not allowed to sign a player for more than $300,000 during the next two signing periods, in addition to paying a 100 percent tax on the pool overage.
Some scouts believe Matias has the best overall package of tools in his class. Matias might also have the best projectable body. Evaluators love his potential, and it's easy to see why. The teenager could have a plus-arm in the future with plus-raw power. He also has shown good bat speed, and solid defensive abilities.
Guzman is one of the top defensive shortstops in his class, and scouts love his combination of athleticism, quick feet and actions on defense. He knows the game, and has the type of glove that can keep him in a lineup every day while his bat continues to develop. On offense, he's a line-drive hitter with gap power.