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White Sox Land Venezuelan Righthander Luis Martinez

 

Posted Jan. 11, 2012 3:49 pm by Ben Badler

Filed under: International, News

 

The White Sox have signed Venezuelan righthander Luis Martinez for $250,000, the organization's most expensive international signing in recent years.

 

Martinez, who turns 17 on Jan. 29, is 6-foot-4, 195 pounds and gets good downhill angle on an 88-91 mph fastball that has hit 92, an increase from the 84-88 mph velocity he was showing last summer around July 2. He has a projectable frame with long arms and plenty of room to fill out, so he should have at least a plus fastball in time. Martinez has a solid delivery, a high-70s curveball that is his best secondary pitch and he mixes in a changeup as well.

 

Martinez is from Carupano and trained with Luis Blasini, whose other notable signings from the July 2, 2011 signing class included Rangers lefthander Yohander Mendez ($1.5 million) and Rangers outfielder Eduard Pinto ($350,000).

 

Martinez is the first major signing for the White Sox since hiring Marco Paddy away from the Blue Jays after the 2011 season to run their Latin American scouting. The White Sox had been slow to rebuild their international program since firing former director of player personnel David Wilder and two international scouts amidst a massive bonus kickback scandal and have been one of the most frugal teams abroad. They ranked among the lowest-spending teams on international amateurs in 2010 with an estimated $345,000 and were only slightly above that mark in 2011 prior to the Martinez signing, which was agreed to in December.

 

While it's only one signing, adding Martinez could be an indication of the White Sox's efforts to increase their international resources in 2012.

At 17, I think it's safe to safe he's a LONG ways away from making a difference. At least the Sox are spending more internationally.

If they see a good pool of talent they want I would love to see a flurry of signings before the international signing cap starts.

Awesome!

 

Keep it up Sox.

At 17, I think it's safe to safe he's a LONG ways away from making a difference.

 

Indeed. But that is perfectly fine. The depth in the system is awful. They need more signings like this. I'm very happy with it.

Indeed. But that is perfectly fine. The depth in the system is awful. They need more signings like this. I'm very happy with it.

It's hard to be unhappy with this. As the article notes the Sox haven't done anything like this in a while so a change in philosophy is very encouraging.

Indeed. But that is perfectly fine. The depth in the system is awful. They need more signings like this. I'm very happy with it.

 

I agree, it's nice to see a change.

It's hard to be unhappy with this. As the article notes the Sox haven't done anything like this in a while so a change in philosophy is very encouraging.

 

Not to mention $250,000 now, is very different than what it was 6 months ago.

 

Yay, we have a wave of Venezuelans in the pipeline now, to go with our "Cuban Connection."

 

Tanks, Missiles and Cespedes THE DESTROYER. We will blitzkrieg our way through the AL Central!

Not to mention $250,000 now, is very different than what it was 6 months ago.

How so?

How so?

 

The cap on international spending.

The cap on international spending.

Which doesn't start until this summer, unless I'm mistaken, so this doesn't count against anything?

Why does it FEEL like Paddy is having more of an impact than Hahn?

 

Molina, the Frasor trade, the rumored Floyd deal, this signing...now, if we can only start to finally see some progress again in the DR. Pretty sure Jesus Pena was the last one to come out of there, and that was seemingly ages ago.

 

 

Just joking Rickster, surely the Danks deal was 75-80% your doing, and Danks' agent.

 

And, to feel better, we should accept the idea this signing now pushed us past the Indians and Marlins...of course, they sign Cespedes, that goes out the window.

 

We sign Cespedes and he doesn't play in the big leagues before SEPT and we're quickly #20-25. We should certainly see progression from our starting pitching prospects...and bounceback years from Mitchell and Walker.

Edited January 11, 201214 yr by caulfield12

I figured our door to Venezuala closed when Ozzie parted.

sounds like a very nice pick up

And, to feel better, we should accept the idea this signing now pushed us past the Indians and Marlins.

 

You are getting ahead of yourself here.

 

Let's just be optimistic that the organization might be putting a much needed greater emphasis on amateur talent then they have in the past.

Good. I hope to see many more similar threads.

Very encouraging news. Sounds like the Sox are serious about building up the farm.

Via larry at SSS.

 

 

Martinez is the largest single expenditure on an international amateur free agent since the Dave Wilder scandal years. In 2010, the club signed LHP Jefferson Olacio for $125,000, which, as near as I can tell, was the post-Wilder record.

 

The Martinez deal was agreed to in December, shortly after the arrival of Marco Paddy to head the club's Latin American operations. It was hoped that hiring Paddy, an experienced and well-connected scout and administrator, represented a change in the organization's thinking on the efficacy of spending on amateur talent. While it is only one signing, it does push the White Sox to about $600,000 in 2011 bonuses. Prior to the signing, the White Sox were on pace to match their 30th place finish in spending in 2010, which totaled $345,000.

 

http://www.southsidesox.com/2012/1/11/2700...onal-free-agent

Why does it FEEL like Paddy is having more of an impact than Hahn?

 

Molina, the Frasor trade, the rumored Floyd deal, this signing...now, if we can only start to finally see some progress again in the DR. Pretty sure Jesus Pena was the last one to come out of there, and that was seemingly ages ago.

 

 

Just joking Rickster, surely the Danks deal was 75-80% your doing, and Danks' agent.

 

And, to feel better, we should accept the idea this signing now pushed us past the Indians and Marlins...of course, they sign Cespedes, that goes out the window.

 

We sign Cespedes and he doesn't play in the big leagues before SEPT and we're quickly #20-25. We should certainly see progression from our starting pitching prospects...and bounceback years from Mitchell and Walker.

 

If anything, it is that Paddy's arrival is endemic of a much needed change in organizational philosophy.

 

 

Pretty soon, we're going to need some good nicknames for these guys.

 

We have Marinez, Oswaldo Martinez and now another Martinez. Not to mention Carlos Martinez's son (I think still with us?)

At 17, I think it's safe to safe he's a LONG ways away from making a difference. At least the Sox are spending more internationally.

Long time coming!

If anything, it is that Paddy's arrival is endemic of a much needed change in organizational philosophy.

Right. I don't think he's having more impact than Hahn did necessarily, just that things are changing and Paddy's hiring was symbolic of the organization's decision to see change. He's just following through so far.

I figured our door to Venezuala closed when Ozzie parted.

 

It's opened. The Sox distancing from Ozzie is a good thing. Ozzie's influence in L.A. is overstated and if anything, he's considered a clown.

I really wish we had some insight on how the Paddy deal went down. Seems like it was a lateral move for him, so I'm hoping and guessing we gave him a significant raise over what he was making in Toronto. You have to wonder why AA was willing to let him go.