The International Signing Period

[JMUalumni]

No new names. The Nationals are tight-lipped as they get all things verfied (age/identity). The names I have heard came from the agents in the DR. They are quick to hype the signings as a chance to sell their services in the future.

The signing period lasts for another month or so

Are they going to announce who they signed at the end of the period together, or are we left to figure out who they signed on our own from additions to the rosters?

Also, all these guys will be starting at DSL?

[NFA Brian]

Are they going to announce who they signed at the end of the period together, or are we left to figure out who they signed on our own from additions to the rosters?

Hopefully we'll see a press release

Also, all these guys will be starting at DSL?

Without question they'll head to the DSL for the 2010 season

[Battleship]

I could see Valdez and Cabral in the GCL next year.  Smiley went to the GCL.  It depends on what they think of the player.  Having spent six figure bonuses, they may feel those two are ready for short season.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Did not want to start a new thread, but I came across a pretty cool link on Japanese baseball. The writer is an ex-scouting intern for Arizona, so there may even be a Rizzo connection.

The big story there is yet another star in the Koshien high school tournament, Yusei Kikuchi, who might skip Japanese baseball altogether after Junichi Tazawa broke the ice.  Kikuchi's team just beat Yu Darvish's old high school in the semis.

http://www.japanbaseballnews.com/

[blue911]

Did not want to start a new thread, but I came across a pretty cool link on Japanese baseball. The writer is an ex-scouting intern for Arizona, so there may even be a Rizzo connection.

The big story there is yet another star in the Koshien high school tournament, Yusei Kikuchi, who might skip Japanese baseball altogether after Junichi Tazawa broke the ice.  Kikuchi's team just beat Yu Darvish's old high school in the semis.

http://www.japanbaseballnews.com/

It thought Tazawa had played Indy league ball in Japan.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It thought Tazawa had played Indy league ball in Japan.

Yes.  Tazawa played in the semi-pro Industrial League the past few seasons.  He was not drafted by the Nippon Professional Baseball leagues when he came out of high school.  Last year would have been his first year eligible again for the draft, and he asked that he not be drafted so he could sign in the USA.  Kikuchi is draft eligible but apparently also contemplating skipping NPB.