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It looks like we got two good ones here, ranked #14 and #26 respectively.
Source: #Cardinals agree to a deal with SS Jonathan Mejia, #14 on @MLBPipeline’s Top 50 Int’l Prospects list, and catcher Luis Rodriguez, No. 26 https://t.co/LWetCicBy0
— Jesse Sanchez (@JesseSanchezMLB) January 15, 2022
Mejia is ranked #8 among the SSs (infielders).
LRodriguez #26 is the second ranked C taken…. only #25 Juan Olmos is ranked above him.
Just an observation.
On the first day of the international signing period, reports out of South Korea link the #STLCards to a 17-year-old OF, Cho Won-Bin, who it is believed wants to sign with an MLB team instead of the KBO. Reports are not confirmed but potentially this could be a big deal if true.
— Rob Rains (@RobRains) January 15, 2022
Industry source confirms that Won-bin Cho, a top Korean high school prospect, is signing w/ @Cardinals.
He is joining the #STLCards as int’l free agent. Cho, a winner of @PowerShowcaseWC HR derby, withdrew himself from last yr’s #KBO draft to #MLB opportunities. https://t.co/yG9DgdVel4— Daniel Kim 대니얼 김 (@DanielKimW) January 15, 2022
Is there expected to be a delay with Cuban players signing? It was reported previously that Reimi Garcia was signing too.
https://mobile.twitter.com/francysromeroFR/status/1424849335301382145
The Cardinal Nation's earlier article on today's #stlcards international signings has been updated by @bt_newberry. Our team rosters and exclusive Roster Matrix now include all 12 new Cards – and the other 257 players in the system, too! And it's all FREE! https://t.co/QVZuet2NXd pic.twitter.com/fhdYCiNwgf
— Brian Walton (@B_Walton) January 15, 2022
It is very pleasing to see the Cardinals sign some elite level international prospects instead of their usual quantity over quality approach. I can’t wait to see how these top three guys fare this upcoming season.
The answer to the question everyone wants to know.
The dog’s name is Henny. He is a 3-year-old golden retriever. He is a very good boy. He belongs to Han Lee, Cho’s agent. Henny and his family are Instagram stars: https://t.co/Wi0NZZmiHH
Congrats to Won-Bin Cho, of course. https://t.co/OhYZhj9JTT
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 15, 2022
I couldn’t even sit in the stands and talk to a real MLB scout….. I wouldn’t know what kinds of questions to ask, or what else to talk about. But, IMHO, this guy, Wan-Bin Cho, does have a sweet swing. I also think he’s got that ‘it’ factor that scouts and talent evaluators comment on at times. It will be fun to follow this Korean outfielder.
It is good to see the Cardinals change from their older lower priced International signings. Scouting has improved to the point that if a player is highly rated they have a chance to be good. If they can land a top Cuban it would be great.
The old system results in the Cardinals having none of the 20 plus international players in the MLB and BA top 100 prospects. Our top guy seems to be Herrera supposedly an offense first catcher who didn’t have a great offensive year in 2021.
Over $1 million international bonuses by the Cardinals:
Roberto de la Cruz 2008
Carlos Martinez 2009
Jonatan Machado 2016
Johan Oviedo 2016
Victor Garcia 2016
Randy Arozarena 2016
Jonathan Mejia 2022Among those who got less than a million:
Oscar Taveras 2008
Alex Reyes 2012
Edmundo Sosa 2012
Magneuris Sierra 2012
Sandy Alcantara 2013
Junior Fernandez 2014
Elehuris Montero 2014
Malcom Nunez 2018
Edwin Nunez 2019Seems to me the issue isn’t the high bonuses, but the fact they have been missing on the mid-to-lower dollar picks in the last seven years.
Are the other organizations getting better at finding the values or have the Cardinals lost their touch finding and developing them?
Source: The Cardinal Nation Prospect Guide
What was the bonus for Adolis Garcia? Wasn’t he the plan B when they missed out on Luis Robert?
And I should add that I don’t think the Cardinals have done that bad in the international draft, yet this year does seem to mark a shift in strategy.
I wonder, will any of these guys end up in the TCN top 50 when it gets updated again in the spring, or is it simply too soon? Mejia’s bonus in particular may slot into the competitive balance A or early second round range.
Adolis Garcia was pool exempt due to his age and experience. I had not heard of that link to Robert before as Garcia was a grape to Robert’s watermelon. Also, Garcia signed in February and Robert did not sign until three months later – around Memorial Day.
Yes, I think Mejia will slot into the Top 50, but he is probably the only one until they all play some professional ball. Cho is getting tremendous attention due to his uniqueness, but his rumored bonus was about fourth-round money in the draft.
I could be wrong about any correlation of Garcia to Robert. I knew they were signed in the same year but I may be making an incorrect assumption about one leading to the other.
Brian Walton
Yes, I think Mejia will slot into the Top 50, but he is probably the only one until they all play some professional ball. Cho is getting tremendous attention due to his uniqueness, but his rumored bonus was about fourth-round money in the draft.
Would Won-Bin Cho be a little different since he’s coming from Korea? Maybe under-valued dollar-wise compared to the saturated Central American market. Also, he is closer to ML age-wise having already turned 18. Maybe comparable to Tink Hence or Alec Willis ~ $1M HS arms?
Cho appeared in US-based showcases that were well scouted, and he was in Atlanta when he signed after working out there for scouts. So it isn’t like he wasn’t well-known outside of Korea. Until I see a free agent play, I put a high emphasis on the bonus as it is a direct indication of his perceived market value.
Hey Brian, any word on the Cuban Reimi Garcia signing? Saw the post by ejgonz22 earlier in this thread but haven’t heard anything about this player. Also, wasn’t there a Cuban pitcher putting on a showcase last week? Wondered if the Cards may be interested in him as well?
Is there any way to know how much the Cards have invested in the current 12 IFA to know how much is still left to spend?
I updated those on the members board about Garcia. I wouldn’t expect him to sign.
There is no public repository for international spending. We have to piece it together from various reports. I share with members what I am able to find out. For past years, I publish that information in our annual Prospect Guide.
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