Orioles announce two international signings

While Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette continues his search for a starting pitcher, the club has announced two international signings. The Orioles have purchased first baseman Carlos Diaz, 17, from the Mexico City Reds. Diaz, from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, stands 6-foot-2 and weights 200 lbs. He bats left and throws right. The Orioles also have signed 16-year-old international free agent Jomar Reyes, a third baseman from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Reyes, a right-handed hitter, is listed at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds. Executive director of international recruiting Fred Ferreira signed both players. Baseball America's Ben Badler wrote the following scouting report on Reyes in July: "At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, Reyes has split time between third base and the outfield while training at La Academia. Scouts aren't sure he'll have a position other than left field or first base, but he's shown some teams he can hit in games and drive the ball over the fence from the right side of the plate. Some think the Orioles might try to sign Reyes." I'll have more information on Diaz and Reyes later today. Meanwhile, Peter Gammons just tweeted that the Orioles are "all in" on A.J. Burnett, which comes as no surprise. He's been their primary pitching target all along. They just needed to know that he wasn't going to retire. Gammons tweeted that the Rays are "also in."