Hearing from two players in the O's new international signing class

If you add up the top two bonuses the Orioles handed out on the first day of the international signing period yesterday, they add up to $2.25 million. The club signed 16-year-old shortstop Emilio Sánchez from the Dominican Republic for $1.3 million. They added 16-year-old outfielder Stiven Martínez of the Dominican Republic for $950,000.

On Jan. 15 of last year, they signed infielder Luis Almeyda for $2.3 million. So, in terms of the dollars to the top international signee, that went down for the Orioles in 2024.

What does this mean?

Well, we will find out over many years how all these players grow, play and develop. Who reached the majors and who does not.

But the Orioles under vice president of international scouting and operations Koby Perez have signed some outstanding talent. And they feel really good about this class, no matter the final dollar numbers.

“Every year is different. We obviously try to find the best talent available,” Perez said Monday on an O’s Zoom call. “We always take our time in making decisions and we want to be as right as we can. With these young kids, they change. Sometimes these kids agree to deals with teams earlier than we would like so we try to do our process and due diligence. When we sign a player, we want to feel real good about it and we feel good about these players right now. We still have plenty of bonus money left and still have 11 months to keep finding players.”

And the Orioles, per Perez, still have over $2 million remaining from a bonus pool of $7,114,800. Sanchez is the fifth international player since 2021 to sign with the club for $1 million or more.

There are numerous examples in the game of players signing for lower bonuses that later become stars. The current National League MVP, Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr. who hit 41 homers and stole 73 bases last season, was signed on July 2, 2014, out of Venezuela for $100,000.

The Arizona Diamondbacks recently signed lefty Eduardo Rodriguez to an $80 million-dollar free agent deal. On Jan. 28, 2010, the O’s signed him out of Valencia, Venezuela for $175,000.

But the Orioles are excited about their top two signees, as they are about shortstops Elvin García and Jemone Nuel, who each were signed for $500,000.

“Elvin García is a switch-hitting shortstop that is very toolsy” said Perez. “We think he has the chance to remain at shortstop and we think the hit-ability is going to come around. Jemone Nuel is another shortstop and switch-hitter. We are super excited about him. His mom is actually from Jamaica and lives in Philadelphia. But his dad’s Dominican and the kid grew up in the DR. We’re excited about those two players.

“But we get players from all different avenues. If you look around major league teams now, there are many players that were not seven figure (bonus) guys (originally), and they are making a lot of money in the big leagues. All these players we signed (yesterday), they have something going for them and we hope we can get the best from them.”

On the O’s Zoom, Sánchez was asked about a recruiting process that took years to play out.

“Really difficult one to two years, leading up to this moment,” he said with help from O’s translator Brandon Quinones. “A lot of hard work that went into it. But, honestly just really thankful for the organization giving me the opportunity to sign and ultimately be here today.

“I’m just really proud of myself and I feel really good about my abilities overall. Really confident in what I am able to do and feel really good about being able to make it to the big leagues in Baltimore one day,” he said.

Ranked as the No. 30 international prospect by MLBPipeline.com, Sánchez got a 55-hit tool grade from the outlet and then 50s across the board.

What attracted him to the Orioles?

“In all honestly, I would watch videos of the big league team and the big league environment. And that would get me really excited,” he said. “They played with a lot of passion and a lot of heart up in the big leagues. When I saw that it got me really excited, and I wanted to be a part of this.

“I am really, really happy to just be a part of this system and that once again the Orioles gave me the opportunity to be a part of this organization. I know they will be able to help me do what I need to do to make it to the big leagues one day.”

Martínez, ranked by MLBPipeline as its No. 28 prospect, has, per scouting reports, big raw power from the right side.

“It (that power) comes through a lot of hard work I would say. A lot of time spent in the gym," he said. "A lot of time working with my mechanics. I think the culmination of all those things coming together, has allowed me to hit for power.

“I consider myself a ballplayer that can dominate at the plate. I feel really good about my ability to hit the ball hard. And I think that with my arm, I am capable of getting outs at any base.”

For 19 players, these new Orioles, including Martínez, Monday was just a huge day for them and their families.

“Honestly, I just feel really happy and am thankful for this organization to give me the opportunity to achieve a lifelong dream of mine. Being here today with my family means a lot to me and I’m really thankful for this day,” Martínez said.

Click here for more from Monday on this class and a listing of all 19 signees.