International Free Agency Thread 2020-2021

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Of course this happens when the Cubs are linked to a top-two IFA this year.

[TomtheBombadil]

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/c ... story.html

According to Baseball America’s story on the 2020 international signing period, the Cubs are projected to sign one of the top shortstops in Cristian Hernandez.

Hernandez, a 16-year-old prospect from the Dominican Republic, would receive a $3.5 million bonus — the fourth-highest in the pool, according to Baseball America.

The list was compiled by projected signing bonuses because the publication believed it wasn’t fair to players who have committed to a team and therefore aren’t being evaluated by other teams.

The 6-foot-2, 165-pound Hernandez is one of seven shortstops ranked in the top 10 among projected signing bonuses.

Looks like the Cubs are still getting Hernandez?

[CaliforniaRaisin]

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cubs/ct-chicago-cubs-cristian-hernandez-20200406-df5iswdlhre6vpbpgahjqzfkme-story.html

According to Baseball America’s story on the 2020 international signing period, the Cubs are projected to sign one of the top shortstops in Cristian Hernandez.

Hernandez, a 16-year-old prospect from the Dominican Republic, would receive a $3.5 million bonus — the fourth-highest in the pool, according to Baseball America.

The list was compiled by projected signing bonuses because the publication believed it wasn’t fair to players who have committed to a team and therefore aren’t being evaluated by other teams.

The 6-foot-2, 165-pound Hernandez is one of seven shortstops ranked in the top 10 among projected signing bonuses.

Looks like the Cubs are still getting Hernandez?

Why wouldn't they? The only question is when the signing period will start.

That BA article said Hernandez would get “around $3.5 million,” which would be the 4th highest bonus in the coming IFA class.

Hernandez was the only Cub in the top 25 bonuses and the bottom of the list was getting around $1.5 million so we know Ballesteros will get less than that.

[TomtheBombadil]

BA's writeup on Hernandez:



Working out in Cubs' 2017-2019 division champs gear:

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Christian Hernandez is 5th on MLB’s list. I haven’t seen him lower than 2 on any other ranking, though this is the first ranking I’ve seen with Yoelqi Céspedes (Yoenis’ younger half brother).

At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, the teenager resembles a young Alex Rodriguez and has a build similar to Manny Machado at the same age. His approach and abilities give him a chance to hit for a high batting average and he is expected to have plus power in the future. There’s a belief he could eventually develop into a .300 hitter who can slug 30 or more home runs a year. On defense, he shows plus arm potential with smooth hands and the ability to make plays in the hole and up the middle with equal proficiency. He consistently runs the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds. The Cubs are the favorite to sign the infielder.

Moises Ballesteros was listed amongst the “best of the rest,” outside the top 30.

[Cubswin11]

A-Rod with Machado’s body, well that’s reasonable

[CubsWin]

https://twitter.com/mlbpipeline/status/1255261559460413443?s=21

Christian Hernandez is 5th on MLB’s list. I haven’t seen him lower than 2 on any other ranking, though this is the first ranking I’ve seen with Yoelqi Céspedes (Yoenis’ younger half brother).

At 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, the teenager resembles a young Alex Rodriguez and has a build similar to Manny Machado at the same age. His approach and abilities give him a chance to hit for a high batting average and he is expected to have plus power in the future. There’s a belief he could eventually develop into a .300 hitter who can slug 30 or more home runs a year. On defense, he shows plus arm potential with smooth hands and the ability to make plays in the hole and up the middle with equal proficiency. He consistently runs the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds. The Cubs are the favorite to sign the infielder.

Moises Ballesteros was listed amongst the “best of the rest,” outside the top 30.

If Hernandez doesn't immediately make the Cubs top 10 prospects, either that description is a little rosy or it's a really good sign for the Cubs system as a whole...

[CaliforniaRaisin]

1:15
Danny: Likely way too early to know but is the expectation that the 2021 J2 signing period will be delayed too? Something like January 2022?

1:16
Eric A Longenhagen: Yeah, I think we’re on a whole new calendar for Int’l stuff already. January for this group and every one beyond it until a draft (which I think will be ’23, Kiley thinks ’22)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Christian is the top IFA on here (the first 9 are draft prospects).

10. Cristian Hernandez, SS, Dominican Republic. Age: 16

I won't pretend to be the world’s foremost-known expert on this season’s J2 class (the 2020 J2 signing date is still yet to be decided, for what it’s worth) when it’s currently darn near impossible to project outcomes for MLB players this summer, but I will say Hernandez has earned average-or-better grades across the board on outlets who have seen the teenager in person. Choosing between Hernandez and Carlos Colmenarez is practically splitting hairs at this point, but I’m giving the former the nod thanks to a swing that generates more natural loft, slightly smoother actions at shortstop and a frame that projects a bit better. In the fantasy world (which is a realm that doesn’t necessarily care about handedness), Hernandez projects as a slightly-less loud version of Robert Puason from last summer’s class. Whenever J2 signing day rolls around, it’s assumed the teenager will ink with the Cubs.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Mike (Denver): If the top J2 guys (Carlos Colmenarez, Cristian Hernandez) were in this draft, where would they likely be selected in the draft and where would they be in your rankings? Would guys like this be considered as volatile as the HS Pitching demographic?

Carlos Collazo: This is an interesting question for this year’s class specifically, because the shortstop talent isn’t great, particularly on the prep side. I enlisted Ben Badler’s help for this one and after talking with him it sounds like both would both be first-round talents. While I would prefer Howard’s defensive skill, both of their offensive upside is a bit more exciting, IMO. Given their age and the projection you have to do on kids that young they would definitely be towards the more volatile side of the spectrum. None of these guys (including Howard) have been scouted for a while, so they all have some uncertainty.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Pete: If Carlos Colmenarez and Cristian Hernandez we’re available for the draft where would they likely go? Would this demographic be considered as risky as HS Pitching?

Eric A Longenhagen: I think they’d go late first at the earliest, probably comfortably in the second round.

Ryan: If the draft included J2 players, how many J2 players would typically go in the 1st round? Would they likely be considered the riskiest demographic due to their age?

Eric A Longenhagen: The best J2 players are in typically in the 45-50 FV range so that means top 5 for the very very best of them, more mid to late rd one for the top of the class in a usual year.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Ben Badler dropped his Cubs 2020 IFA preview today: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories ... g-preview/

He added 3 new smaller names on top of Hernandez and Ballesteros:

Dominican OF Daniel Ferreira
Veneuzelan LHP Carlos Cabrera
Dominican OF Oferman Hernandez

Badler said this IFA class has the chance to be the second best Cubs class ever, behind the 2013 Eloy Jimenez/Gleyber Torres group. He also said this about Hernandez’ prospect status:

He's not necessarily a similar player to Giants shortstop Marco Luciano, but he could follow a similar path as an elite Dominican amateur prospect who has a chance to rocket up our Top 100 list once he gets a year in pro ball.

[Cubswin11]

Posting for the video. Can definitely see the Machado comp, body wise for him.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Here are videos of Ferriera:





Offerman Hernandez: