2007 Internationals

HBD for HDer's II experienced a banner year for internationals in 2007. The DC 42's started the year by going all in for Cuban refugee Tony Castillo, not knowing what was to come. 12 prospects ended up signing for 10 million dollars or more, 6 of whom signed big league deals. In addition to those 12 there were many more quality internationals to be had, this was a classic case of the supply outstripping the demand. Owners frantically tried to secure bonus money each time a superstar international came along.

Note - The third percentage listed is not OPS. It is OBPI. OBPI stands for On base percentage plus isolated power. I view OPS as a step in the right direction for player evaluation but still inadequate. I came up with OBPI to use in it's place, it is essentially a way of combining slugging percentage and on base percentage. A simple way to come up with OBPI is to subtract batting average from slugging percentage and then add that number to OBP.

Without further adieu, I present you with the top 5 internationals of 2007.

1. Miguel Sosa
Franchise: Columbus Crush (rpappy)
Hometown: Barahona, Dominican Republic
Primary Position: SP
B/T: S/R
Age: 22 Ht./Wt.: 6'3" 180
Bonus: 24.7 m

The grand prize of the legendary 2007 international crop is Miguel Sosa. Sosa throws 5 pitches (4-Seam FB, Curveball, Forkball, Change Up, Slider) with varying degrees of proficiency. The Dominican tore through the low minors after coming to terms with Columbus, winning 9 of his 11 starts. Sosa will anchor the Columbus rotation for years as a perennial Cy Young candidate.

Best Comparison: Pedro Martinez
2007 stats: 83 IP, 2.38 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 9-0, 96 K's
Awards: None

ETA: 2009

2. Jolbert Telemaco
Franchise: Pawtucket Privateers (harkov)
Hometown: Panama City, Panama
Primary Position: LF/RF
B/T: R/R
Age: 19 Ht./Wt.: 5'11" 196
Bonus: 18.2 m (MLB)

Picking between Telemaco and Castillo was very difficult but the Panamanian gets the nod at number 2 on our list. Telemaco is a masher who will drive in a ton of runs but save none in the outfield. Telemaco will be an MVP candidate for the Privateers in the near future, for the time being he will destroy pitching in the low minors. It is unclear whether the Privateers will deal with Jolbert's mediocre to poor defense in the outfield or relegate him to 1B.

Best Comparison: Manny Ramirez
2007 stats: .397, .467, .776, 41 R, 12 HR, 54 RBI, 6 SB
Awards: None

ETA: 2010

3. Tony Castillo
Franchise: Washington DC 42's (schuyler101)
Hometown: Preston, Cuba
Primary Position: LF
B/T: R/R
Age: 21 Ht./Wt.: 6'1 224
Bonus: 26.0 m (MILB w/STI)

26 million dollars for the 4th best position prospect speaks to the depth of the 42's system. The Cuban refugee was worth every penny and won the AA NL MVP in his first year of pro ball, despite missing about 30 games to injury. Expect to see Castillo continue to grow and fill out, finally settling in at the top of DC's batting order within a few seasons and becoming a perennial MVP candidate.

Best Comparison: Moises Alou
Strengths: Hitting, Baserunning
Weaknesses: Fielding, Speed
2007 stats: AA - .407, .489, .782, 115 R, 27 HR, 134 RBI
Awards:
2007: AA - NL MVP, Silver Slugger LF
ETA: 2009

4. Alex Abreu
Franchise: Louisville Derbies (gerald007)
Hometown: Maneadoro, Mexico
Primary Position: CF
B/T: R/R
Age: 19 Ht./Wt.: 6'1" 177
Bonus: 5.4 m (MILB w/STI)

The Derbies found the steal of the season in Abreu, who comes in at 4th on our list despite receiving the 19th highest bonus in 2007. Abreu is a slick fielding centerfielder who has the potential to win more than a few gold gloves down the line. Abreu is also quite capable with the stick as he showed while progressing from Rookie ball to Low A.


Best Comparison: Andruw Jones
2007 stats: .333, .440, .711, 21 R, 4 HR, 27 RBI
Awards: None

ETA: 2010

5. Willie Espinosa
Franchise: Syracuse Saltine Warriors (namshub)
Hometown: Zulia, Venezuela
Primary Position: CF
B/T: S/R
Age: 21 Ht./Wt.: 5'10" 188
Bonus: 12.0 m (MLB)

Espinosa was signed in the second half and appeared in 21 games for Syracuse's High A affiliate. Willie played excellent baseball and will start 2008 in Double A. He is believed to be close to his peak and is poised to zoom through the minor leagues

Best Comparison: Melvin Mora
2007 stats: .316, .447, .763, 19 R, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 5 SB
Awards: None

ETA: 2009