Tatis Jr. among White Sox finds on int'l market
Club signs former big league infielder's son, shortstop Reyes, two others
The White Sox are adding a slick-fielding son of a former Major League player and power-hitting outfielder to their system.
The White Sox signed shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., ranked No. 27 on MLB.com's Top 30 International Prospects list, for $825,000, and outfielder Franklin Reyes, ranked No. 30., for $1.5 million.
Additionally, the White Sox signed Brayant Nova, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound, switch-hitting infielder, and Santo Vasquez, a 6-foot, 170-pound shortstop. Both sixteen-year old players are from the Dominican Republic.
"We are extremely excited to add each of these four young men to the Chicago White Sox organization today," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a release from the Dominican Republic. "Thanks to Marco Paddy and the efforts of our international scouting staff across Latin America, we continue to add waves of very talented young players to our system. All of this success will ultimately pay off in Chicago in seasons to come."
"We are very excited about all of these four players and our entire 2015 signing class," said Marco Paddy, special assistant to the general manager, in the release. "Not only are these young men impressive players on the baseball diamond with outstanding skills, but I have been incredibly impressed with them as individuals off the field as well. Each of these young men is a tribute to his family, and we are excited to have them begin their careers with the White Sox."
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 on Thursday. Chicago's overall pool total for this year's signing period is $3,443,000.
The son of former Major League infielder Fernando Tatis, Tatis Jr. has a strong arm and fluid actions on defense. The right-handed hitter has displayed raw power to his pull side and has a knack for barreling up the ball. What's more, his repeatable swing has impressed evaluators. On defense, he could end up at second base or third base.
Scouts like Tatis Jr.'s makeup and mature attitude.
The younger brother of Franmil Reyes, who plays in the San Diego Padres organization, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Franklin has shown raw power and a plus arm in showcases and games. He profiles as a right fielder and could end up at that position.
Reyes has a big body and big potential.