An otherwise quiet IFA signing period for the Yanks appears to be heating up. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette the Yanks are zooming in on Luis Heredia, one of the top pitchers in this year’s class. They write:
• The New York Yankees, interested bystanders through most of the process involving elite Mexican amateur pitcher Luis Heredia, are getting more involved, according to a source. The Pirates and Toronto are the front-runners, with the Pirates the most aggressive the past two years. Heredia, a 15-year-old right-hander, is sure to get a bonus topping $2 million.
Baseball America ranked the 6′ 4″ 15 year old Heredia the best pitcher and #2 prospect in this year’s IFA class. He is said to have 4 plus pitches, nice loose arm action and an 89-90 MPH fastball that figures to improve as he ages. Heredia’s rights are controlled by the Veracruz team and they will keep 75% of his bonus. But Heredia will have most of the say in where he eventually lands. Keep in mind the Yankees are trying to sign five High School pitchers from this year’s US draft in Encinas, Morton, Rutckyj, Dezse and Kish. If some/all of them don’t sign, the more likely it is that they will be putting their money into signing Heredia.
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6 Responses to Yanks targeting Mexican IFA Heredia
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TIQ IQ
Pretty sure the international budget is different from the amateur draft budget. If Heredia is their first priority, money spent or not spent in the amateur draft signings will have no affect on whether the Yankees get Heredia.
This isn’t necessarily true. We are told that the two budgets are not connected, but it’s entirely possible that they are. The Yankees operate in their own way.
I believe all of this falls under their “Player development” budget, so it should be connected. Or at least that’s my understanding.
I believe Encinas is Boras-rep’d, and I know that Rutckji is asking for high-round money. I’m kinda of a pessimist when it comes to the 2010 class as I know other guys like Kevin Jordan and Mason Williams are also going to be tough signs. Lets not forget Segedin is a DES draftee actually worth higher round money too.
If Heredia is as good as reported, i wont be surprised to see 3 of the above names go unsigned. With the strong track record in signing and developing int’l pitchers, i’d like to see the Yanks come out ahead with Heredia. Could this kid be the next Arodys Viz … but with height? Perhaps!
I’m sure the Yanks will rank all of them, set a price for each, and adjust accordingly when they start signing. I doubt they’ll sign all of them. So some of the guys who fall below Heredia may want to sign quicker if they don’t want to get left out in the cold.
6’4 at 15 years old? This isn’t like the little league kid who was like 4 years to old is it? hahah JK but that is one tall 15 year old, puberty hit him hard.